Agricultural Research Service
50th Anniversary

Local Event

South Atlantic Area
Southeastern Fruit & Nut Research Laboratory
Byron, Georgia

• History
• Photos

Fruit and Tree Nut Research at the
Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory
Byron, Georgia

1921
The Peach Research Station was established by USDA at Fort Valley, Georgia, after a devastating loss of southeastern peaches to Plum Curculio in 1920.

1935
Two pecan research stations were established by USDA at Thomasville, Georgia, and Monticello, Florida, after damage by pecan pests and nutrient element deficiencies threatened the destruction of the commercial U.S. pecan industry in the southeastern U.S.

1950
Both USDA pecan research stations (i.e., at Thomasville and at Monticello) were relocated to Albany, Georgia, to address severe production limiting problems with diseases, insects, and nutrition.

1970
The USDA Peach Station at Fort Valley, Georgia, and the USDA Pecan Station at Albany, Georgia, were relocated to Byron, Georgia, leading to establishment of the USDA-ARS Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory (SEFTNRL).

2003
Present--The SEFTNRL celebrates its 33rd year at Byron, Georgia, making 82 years since the inception of USDA research on fruit and tree nuts of the southeastern U.S. This research has primarily focused on pecan and peach, but has also addressed plums, apple, nectarines, blueberries, Asian pears, and Chinese chestnuts.

Benefits of Fruit and Tree Nut Research

1921 - 2003

Click on image to view an enlarged version.

Southeastern Fruit and Nut Research Laboratory (Location Photo)