UGA Research and Education Garden History

The Research & Education Garden officially opened its gates with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 25, 1995.  The 65-acre area on which the Garden was established had previously been in horticultural research with apples, peaches, grapes, muscadines, peppers and Christmas trees.  Dr. Joyce G. Latimer, Professor of Horticulture, served as a principal leader in converting this plot land into a unique showcase of science-based research in gardening, landscape management and environmental horticulture.

A capital funding campaign was initiated in 1997 that eventually netted over $175,000 for the installation of the Demonstration Gardens – a series of theme gardens displaying plant selection and management, landscape design, and practices for improving and sustaining environmental quality.  Additional support in the form of plant material, design, hardscape, soil amendments and equipment were provided by industry, professional associations, civic and garden clubs, and the local community.  Thirteen gardens were installed in 1998 and 1999; three additional gardens have been installed since 2000.

Research has remained an integral part of the Garden’s mission since the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division awarded a $60,000 grant to the Garden for its inaugural research project in landscape management.  To date, over 30 research projects have been conducted at the Garden by College of Agricultural & Environmental Science faculty yielding over 40 research publications.

The Friends of the Garden organization was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2000 and provides support to the Garden and its mission with funds derived from membership dues, an annual plant sale, and other fund-raising activities.  Their funding has supported the installation of the beautiful gateway into the Garden, purchasing of supplies and equipment, and assisted in the construction of the Garden Education Building and associated hardscapes in 2008.

The Garden has continued to build partnerships with the professional industry, professional associations, regulatory agencies, civic organizations, local school systems, Griffin Technical College, the Georgia Master Gardener organization and other community entities.  The estimated 9,000 people who visit the Garden each year will attest that the Research & Education Garden is “cultivating minds and the environment” in its research and outreach programs.