Carvel Research and Education Center

Welcome to the Carvel Research and Education Center: youtube.com/watch?v=qJ0F22yF3do

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.

 

 

Location

The Carvel Research and Education Center
16483 County Seat Highway
Georgetown, Delaware 19947

 302-856-7303

Our research and educational facilities

Student Opportunities at the Carvel Center

Carvel Center Teaching Mission: youtube.com/watch?v=H9O6aZHyKms

Our facility continues the strong tradition of serving our agricultural clientele and their families as well as the citizens of Delaware.

- Mark Isaacs Carvel REC director

Upcoming Events

AGRICULTURE MISSIONARY

Gordon Johnson's career in agriculture and with the University of Delaware spans three decades of service, research breakthroughs and many noteworthy recognitions including the 2023 Worrilow Award  Read the UDaily article.

Montage of Extension Staff in Action in Delaware: youtube.com/watch?v=UHPYhBIWRj0

Latest news
  • A collage of teens doing various activities in 4-H

    Opportunities for Teens in 4-H

    March 11, 2024 | Written by Jennifer Trunfio, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator
    As a teenager in Delaware, you can join the Health and Wellness Ambassador club, the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Team, and the Camp Counselor Club (New Castle County). Once you have joined a Delaware 4-H club, teenagers can become Jr Leaders, join the county Jr Council, attend Jr Leader Weekends and conferences, plan younger member events, and apply for State Teen Council.
  • Don’t Even Think About Eating that Cookie Dough

    March 04, 2024 | Written by Diane Oliver, MPH, RDN - Extension Agent & Gemma Erickson, MS – Dietetic Intern
    Spring baking season is coming. This article will provide some “food for thought.” Numerous foodborne illnesses are caused by food product contamination due to improper food handling practices or outbreaks identified in manufacturing facilities.
  • Delaware 4-H Members Gain Self-Efficacy Through Public Speaking

    February 26, 2024 | Written by Jill Jackson, 4-H Youth Development Agent
    The Delaware 4-H program consistently provides programs to teach our youth leadership and communication skills as these are important life skills for every individual to learn. The goal of Delaware 4-H public speaking events are to provide members with techniques to help them improve their communication skills and feel comfortable speaking in any situation. Competitive 4-H events include the Public Speaking Contest where members are asked to develop a speech around a topic of their choice and present to an audience and judges.
Original substation from 1942

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.

See our history page for details