Carvel Research and Education Center
Welcome
UD's 347-acre Agriculture Research Experimental Station and Sussex Cooperative Extension
Carvel Research and Extension Tours
Bird Flu: What you need to know
UD poultry agent shares 6 facts about
avian Influenza
Poultry Health
Research + Extension
Sharing the latest research with our community
The Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center
The Carvel Center campus, located in Georgetown in Sussex County, fulfills the tripartite mission of our land-grant university — teaching, research and Extension outreach. The Carvel Center serves as the southern agriculture experiment station for the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and encompasses the Thurman Adams Jr. Agriculture Research Farm (347 acres) with a focus on agronomic, vegetable and horticulture crops, the Warrington Irrigation Research Farm (120 acres) in Harbeson, Lasher Laboratory for poultry diagnostics, and the Jones Hamilton Environmental Research House. Our campus is also home to Sussex County Cooperative Extension providing programing in 4-H Youth Development, Poultry, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Lawn and Garden.
With an overall staff of 50 full-time administrators, agents, faculty, and specialists, assisted by 50 to 70 seasonal part-time employees and student interns, the Carvel Center paves the way in serving the needs of the agricultural industry, youth and families, students and residents of our great state. Learn more about our history.
Our research and educational facilities
Trapezing Trees
Article by Michele Walfred, Tracy Wootten and Jeremy Wayman Video by Michele Walfred
When people need a large tree removed or pruned on their property, they often encounter sticker shock. It’s expensive, and therefore tempting, to take on the towering tree task themselves.
Stop. It is not a DIY project. Put away the ladder and call in a pro! Scaling up a towering oak, maple, sycamore, or elm tree and doing so safely, and removing or pruning without incident, is an art form best left to the experts.
Montage of Extension Staff in Action in Delaware: youtube.com/watch?v=UHPYhBIWRj0
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Let’s Grow Outside!
October 30, 2025 | Article by Jessica Henderson and Stephanie Thompson. Photos by Christian S. Ferrell.Designed for educators in early childhood education programs, the Let’s Grow Outside! professional development initiative is offered by the College of Education and Human Development’s (CEHD) Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) in collaboration with UD’s Cooperative Extension. The program helps participants gain the knowledge and skills for developing and sustaining a garden, use a supplemental gardening curriculum and plan for age-appropriate garden activities with children. -
Sussex County's Kaitlyn Johnson receives 4-H Diamond Clover Award for community service
October 28, 2025 | Written by Michele Walfred, Communications Specialist. Photos by Michele Walfred and courtesy of Kaitlyn JohnsonFor her work in assembling activity bags for young preschoolers attending the Indian River Early Learning Center, Kaitlyn Johnson, 20, of Selbyville, was honored with the prestigious 4-H Diamond Clover Award earlier this fall. -
Delaware soybean farmers remain optimistic amid dropping prices
October 22, 2025 | Written by Maggie Reynolds | Spotlight DelawareDelaware soybean farmers have been dealing with dropping soybean prices. But they’ve found an alternative market, selling their soybeans to Delmarva poultry companies. Experts, like University of Delaware Farm Business Management Specialist Nate Bruce, say the ongoing tariff war with China has led to soybean prices dropping and there could be a long road ahead for soybean farmers.
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History of the Agriculture Research Center in Georgetown
A Delaware General Assembly act provided the establishment of an agricultural substation for southern Delaware. The first structure at the new "Substation" opened in 1942, which is still in use — now as storage space.
A more thorough, published history written by former Extension specialist and former Delaware Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Kee, is now available in the fall of 2019.