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Published on 10/30/24

Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia

By Sean Montgomery
A smiling woman with shoulder length hair wearing a red puffer vest, black long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans stands next to a sign celebrating the partnership between UGA and Grand Farm.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. 

Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. 

Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners. In her new role, she oversees operations, projects and partnership development at the newly established UGA Grand Farm in Perry.

Finding a home in middle Georgia

“I’m excited to be a part of the vision that is being built here,” said Cobb. “Middle Georgia, my home, is a special place, and now we have so much coming together and the community is already so excited about this. All these pieces of the puzzle, from North Dakota down to Georgia, make me optimistic that the quality of what we can bring to this area is incredible.”

A graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a bachelor’s degree in diversified agriculture, Cobb has embraced the rapidly growing middle Georgia area. She lives just south of the Perry farm site in Macon with her husband, Matt, and children, Ellis and Evan, and serves the area as a dedicated foster parent throughout the year. 

“Being able to find someone with Kaytlyn’s background in agriculture and partnership-building right in our backyard is very fortunate,” said Chris Rhodes, recently named executive director of the UGA Innovation District. “Boosted by Cobb’s new role, the UGA team and the Fargo team are coming together as a dynamic unit and we are on track to meet our preliminary goals for 2025.”

UGA Grand Farm, strategically located next to the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, will be a working innovation farm with projects beginning next year. By creating a growing ecosystem of research, education and sustainability, the farm is bringing together resources from around the world to enhance precision agriculture — right in the heart of the state.

“The location is perfect,” said Cobb. “By being in Perry and being centrally located in the state, there are many more opportunities for new partnerships, getting UGA Cooperative Extension involved, engaging with industry leaders, and promoting advancement for entrepreneurs through the new ecosystem we are trying to build. It shows how much potential there is here.”

Expanding on Georgia’s No. 1 industry, agriculture

Her experience with the Georgia Beef Board and longtime involvement in Future Farmers of America gives Cobb unique insight into the state’s agricultural resources and overall impact.

A primary focus of her new role will be working to develop enhanced communication between emerging industry partners and Extension agents located throughout the state.

“Georgia is the natural best fit for expansion for Grand Farm,” said Cobb. “The way that Georgia can represent the southeast in terms of production agriculture and research impact is exceptional. Not only is agriculture the state’s top industry, but the diversification of outreach through Extension at the university creates a perfect partnership.”

To learn more about UGA Grand Farm and partnership opportunities, visit ugagrandfarm.caes.uga.edu. For information about CAES research, visit caes.uga.edu/research.

Sean Montgomery is a photographer and creative design specialist for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Authors:
Sean Montgomery
Experts/Sources:
Chris Rhodes
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