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The work of Abraham Baldwin is complemented by the continual, informal cooperation of other state-level agencies and institutions located in Tifton. Together, they assist the college in providing work experience, internships, and job placement for students, additional expertise in agricultural research, coordination of conferences and seminars, facilities, and research and writing opportunities for faculty members. The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia has two related units at its Tifton Campus that complement the mission of ABAC. One of these units is the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center (TCCC). The other unit is the Coastal Plain Experiment Station. The program of the TCCC is directed toward full development and utilization of the social and economic potential of the region and the state. Its objectives include 1) increasing agricultural and forest production through continued research and the application of research findings; 2) advancing developments in marketing and utilization of farm and forest products; 3) aiding community development and solving problems related to lifestyles and social interaction; 4) furthering labor training and utilization to provide more skilled workers in the various areas of agribusiness and to help general farm workers in coping productively with increasing farm technology. The Experiment Station has approximately 100 scientists in various specialized areas who are engaged in research and development in the plant and animal sciences. The proximity of the station’s personnel to the college contributes to an invigorating climate of inquiry and study for students, faculty, and staff. Many college students find part-time employment at the Station, and some ventures are shared jointly by the two institutions. A third allied state agency is the State Museum of Agriculture, popularly known as the Georgia Agrirama. Its aim is to preserve and exhibit the culture of South Georgia through a restored settlement of the late nineteenth century. The two dozen restored buildings at the Agrirama range from an 1896 farmhouse to a steam- powered cotton gin and provide a living history museum for the people of the state. Two other state offices, the Georgia Department of Labor and the Department of Natural Resources, contribute to the college’s efforts to provide job placement and work experience for Abraham Baldwin students. The Department of Labor, in cooperation with the college, provides employment assistance for students whose education has prepared them for direct entry into the job market. The Department of Natural Resources works with faculty members in the forestry and wildlife programs of the Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources and helps provide work experience for students in the areas of game and forest management. |