The Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) addresses agriculture’s current and emerging challenges. Our work focuses on maximizing farm productivity while protecting and improving the quality of the soil, air and water.
We are one of 10 unique Research and Outreach Centers throughout Minnesota within the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). Our work enhances the quality of agricultural production, human health, renewable energy and the environment, and disseminates the benefits of this research to the public.
Research & outreach programs based at the SWROC focus on:
SWROC also serves as a research site for a diverse range of CFANS faculty and student research projects related to:
- alternative & organic agriculture
- corn & soybean production
- crop breeding & variety development
- high tunnel vegetable production
- insect, disease & weed management
- nutrient management
- small grains production
- soil fertility
- water quality
SWROC’s agricultural land is used for both research and general crop production to support the center’s operations. The center is also home to the Southwest Minnesota Farm Business Management Association, an organization of over 110 farms throughout southwest Minnesota that is affiliated with UMN Extension and the Center for Farm Financial Management.