Page 43 - Spring 2021

s| ACADEMIA
UGA horticulture researcher
helps state crop economy
By Cyndee Perdue Moore
People who drive by the University of Georgia Durham Horticulture Farm off Hog Mountain Road often think about the beautiful landscape and vegetables.
Timothy Coolong, a UGA Extension vegetable specialist and Oconee County resident, wants passersby to also think about the incredible amount of research that takes place on the 100-acre farm.
Coolong’s research involves best practices concerning production of vegetables for both large commercial farms and
smaller organic enterprises. He travels to share his findings and learn from farmers all around the state. Whether he’s checking on onions in Vidalia, studying how different nutrients affect the flavor of produce or analyzing fertilization and irrigation patterns, there’s always something to discover.
Coolong actually grew up in New York. He found his way to Oconee thanks to his older sister, who was drawn to Athens by her love of the band R.E.M. Coolong studied at UGA on scholarship.
sCyndee Perdue Moore is an Oconee County resident and the executive director of the University of North Georgia Oconee campus.
SPRING 2021 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | PAGE 41
Timothy Coolong is a leading researcher in the area of vegetable farming, organic farming practices and most recently hemp production.
Courtesy Timothy Coolong