The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center (GAPMC) serves NRCS field offices, Soil and Water Conservation Commissions, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, universities, federal and state agencies, county and municipal governments, commercial seed and plant producers, and the general public in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. These states present a wide range of climatic and soil conditions and include a total of 11 land resource areas.
The Center finds plant solutions for the diverse landscape of the southeast and has developed over 18 improved conservation plants, including grasses, forbs, and shrub germplasm. The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center develops technology for improving landscapes, such as agricultural lands, grazinglands, wildlife areas, restoration areas, coastal dunes, and urban settings.
Highlights
DECLINING WILDLIFE HABITAT
Enhancing wildlife resources
'Dove' proso millet is widely used for mourning dove habitat improvement. 'Big O' wild crabapple is grown to improve whitetail deer habitat.
Seed of native grasses, legumes, and forbs are collected for seed production and establishment of wildlife habitat in the Southeastern longleaf pine ecosystem.
Bobwhite quail habitat is improved by the development of methods for enhancing established pastureland to provide healthier and increased habitat.
AGRICULTURAL LANDS
Maintain and improve productivity of agricultural lands for livestock production
'Pensacola' bahiagrass, 'Americus' indiangrass, and 'Highlander' eastern gamagrass are plants developed to improve grazing land productivity.
The forage performance of eastern gamagrass is evaluated through grazing trials that summarize the productivity of various eastern gamagrass cultivars in southern Georgia.
A grazing system involving native warm-season grasses, introduced grasses, and silvopasture illustrates a complete year round rotational grazing system for the southeastern coastal plain.
CONSERVE AND ENHANCE SOIL RESOURCES
Improve soil resources with cool-season annual legumes
'AU Earlycover' hairy vetch and 'AU Sunrise' crimson clover are early maturing cool-season legumes that provide flexibility in conservation systems.
Review of AU Earlycover hairy vetch introduced detailed information on the development, breeding and selection of early maturing hairy vetch.
Brochures on AU Earlycover hairy vetch and AU Sunrise crimson clover provide producers with techniques for establishing and maintaining cool-season legumes for conservation tillage, cover crops, green manure, organic farming, and enhanced pollinator habitat.
Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center
295 Morris Dr
Americus, GA 31709
Telephone: 229-924-4499
Fax: 229-924-0013
The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center (GAPMC) serves NRCS field offices, Soil and Water Conservation Commissions, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, universities, federal and state agencies, county and municipal governments, commercial seed and plant producers, and the general public in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. These states present a wide range of climatic and soil conditions and include a total of 11 land resource areas.