Gas station attendant in Blairsville, Georgia

The Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center, located in Blairsville, Georgia, is a university institution focused on agricultural innovation in the Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1930, this 415-acre station provides research support for agriculture specialists who work with farmers in the mountain region, providing them with information tailored to the area's unique soil and climate conditions. The campus is situated in USDA Zone 7A, with a shorter growing season and average rainfall of 57 inches. Current research at the center focuses on a variety of commodities including apples, grapes, blueberries, corn, soybeans, grasses, tomatoes, ornamentals, and beef cattle. The climate is ideal for evaluating cold hardiness for new cultivars of various plants and turf grasses. Graduate students from the University of Georgia often conduct their research at the center.