Tag Archives: Nick Place UGA

Forecast Meeting Outlines Uncertain Future for Georgia Agriculture

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Tifton, GA |

In an effort to equip the agricultural community with insights and data heading into a new year, leaders from across Georgia recently gathered in Tifton for the annual Georgia Ag Forecast Meeting. Hosted by the University of Georgia, the event brought together producers, policymakers, lenders, and researchers to discuss the challenges and opportunities farmers are likely to face in 2026.

“The reason we like to do this is to bring together producers, legislators, lenders, people from the community to really give them a picture about what’s going on in agriculture,” said Nick Place, Dean of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. “And also, to give some projections about what we see into the future. It’s important that we give them information they need so they can make wise and the best decisions in regard to increasing agriculture production and minimizing those costs.”

That information will be vital as producers attempt to climb out of the economic hole created by volatile market conditions. While numbers from 2025 show an increase in net farm income, those figures can be misleading due to the nature of what’s included.

“In 2025, we saw a big increase in government payments. We also saw an increase in livestock receipts. So, the net farm income numbers went up,” said Ford Ramsey, Agricultural Economist at UGA. “But that’s hiding the situation that we’re seeing in most of the crop markets, which is a pretty significant cost-price squeeze.”

That squeeze is expected to continue into 2026, with lingering concerns around trade and livestock disease presenting potential threats to producers’ profitability.

“I think the main uncertainty in 2026 is going to be primarily related to international trade,” said Ramsey. “If we have any major disruptions, that could certainly affect some major commodities in Georgia. Poultry would be one. Cotton would be another. Also, livestock disease… If those start to spread, that could have a big impact.”

But it’s not all about economics. Another major theme at the meeting was improving the public’s understanding of agriculture and the role it plays in their daily lives.

“We have to do a better job of telling the story of agriculture, where food comes from,” said Place. “There are so many people that take that for granted and do not really understand everything that it takes to get something from the animal or the plant onto the table. We need to do a better job of telling that story.”

By: Damon Jones

UGA Launches Grand Farm in Perry: The Future of Georgia Agriculture Starts Here

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Perry, GA |

The future of farming in Georgia is taking root in Perry with the launch of the UGA Grand Farm—a 250-acre innovation hub designed to showcase the next wave of agricultural technology and sustainability. Created by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the farm is poised to become a leading destination for ag innovation in the Southeast.

“In essence, we want this to be the go-to place in all of the Southeast U.S. for the latest and greatest within ag innovation and technology,” says Nick Place, Dean of UGA CAES. “We’ve partnered with companies large and small—corporations and startups—to demonstrate their latest technology. We want to do that particularly for producers, extension agents, ag teachers, and young people—4-H and FFA members.”

The stakes are high. Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, and with producers facing mounting challenges, the timing for this initiative couldn’t be more critical.

“There are a lot of challenges facing agriculture—labor, water, pests, diseases, and more,” Place explains. “One way we address those issues is through technology. For example, autonomous tractors and equipment can help solve labor shortages. Technologies like see-and-spray systems use cameras to identify weeds or pests and apply targeted treatments—improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact.”

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper echoed the importance of innovation in keeping the industry strong and competitive, particularly as net farm income has seen significant declines nationwide.

“It’s an opportunity to continue to propel our state’s number one industry,” says Harper. “We’ve seen over $40 billion in net farm income losses in just the last two years across the country. Innovation and technology are what’s going to ensure our farm families can succeed—helping them be more efficient, more effective, and able to keep more money on the farm at the end of the day.”

Beyond advancing farm operations, the Grand Farm is also being positioned as a platform to educate consumers and bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.

“This is going to be a showcase—not just for Georgia, but for the entire country and the world,” says Harper. “Visitors to the fairgrounds or the state livestock shows will get to see new technology and innovation in action. But even more importantly, this farm will help show that agriculture is more than what people traditionally think. Food doesn’t just show up on the grocery store shelf. There’s a hardworking farmer—especially Georgia farm families—growing those Georgia Grown products our consumers enjoy every day.”