Tifton Campus: Profile & History
The Many Faces of UGA-Tifton
Wayne Hanna, Professor
Department: Crop and Soil Sciences
Other affiliations:
- Plant Breeding and Turf
- Warm Season Grass Breeding
Q&A with Wayne
What do you do?
Develop superior turf and ornamental grasses.
Where did you get your training?
Texas A&M University
Why did you choose to make this your career?
I received an invitation to continue my education in plant breeding after graduating with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Education. I loved the work in graduate school. It has been a joy and rewarding experience working in the plant breeding and genetics area.
How long have you done this job? How long have you worked in Tifton?
38 years; 37 years.
What is the most interesting part of your job?
The acceptance of grass cultivars such as TifBlair centipedegrass, TifSport and TifEagle bermudagrass, and Tifleaf 3 forage pearl millet by the customer and industry.
Why do you think the UGA Tifton Campus is a good place to do your job or to work?
Great facilities and team cooperation. Great environment to conduct plant breeding with warm season forage and turf grasses.
More about Wayne
Hometown: Flatonia, Texas
Family Information: Wife, Barbara; son, Aaron and daughter-in-law, Julie; daughter, Amy and son-in-law, Carter; and grandchildren, Caroline, Kevin, Jacob and Molly
Hobbies: Gardening