West Central Research & Outreach Center | Morris, MN

Aerial view of WCROC
Grazing dairy cows
Low tunnel strawberry plot

News

Harley Hanke honored at Minnesota State Capitol

February 22, 2024

The family of former West Central Research and Outreach Center’s (WCROC) animal scientist, Harley Hanke, was invited to the Minnesota State Capitol for special presentation of a House Resolution honoring Harley’s commitment to agricultural research and education. Harley served as WCROC Animal Scientist from 1956-1986, and also taught at the West Central School of Agriculture. 

When it comes to climate warming, cow burps are no joke

January 18, 2024

(MPR News) The dairy cows in an outdoor feedlot at the U of MN WCROC eat a mix of hay, corn silage and grain. But every day they also get an ounce of seaweed harvested in Hawaii. "This red seaweed has been shown to reduce methane by at least 40 percent, and maybe more," said professor Brad Heins.

Solar plus cows = green dairy

December 26, 2023

(Agri-View) Agrivoltaics is the use of land for both agriculture and solar-photovoltaic energy generation, and has been utilized by the WCROC since 2017 as part of the center-wide initiative to make the WCROC farm carbon-neutral. 

Events

Organic Swine Day

Thursday, May 30, 2024 12 PM - 3:00 PM

Save the date for our upcoming Organic Swine Field Day!

Midwest Farm Energy Conference

June 26-27, 2024

Save the date for the 2024 Midwest Farm Energy Conference, which is scheduled for June 26-27, 2024. The theme of the conference is "Pathways to Decarbonizing Agriculture", and will cover topics such as electrifying the farm, utility transmission, ammonia as a farm fuel, E-Fuels, reducing methane emissions and agrivoltaics.  

Horticulture Night

Thursday, July 25, 2024 4:00 -8:00 pm

Featuring hands-on gardening demonstrations, horticulture presentations, WCROC farm tours, and much more! 

Weather