The WHY of the WCROC GTMD Campaign
At the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), soil scientists, animal scientists and behaviorists, Extension specialists, renewable energy engineers, and others work on improving one or many agricultural production systems simultaneously. These projects address the multi-faceted challenges that farmers face daily in their production systems. Our multidisciplinary areas of agricultural research include agronomy, dairy, horticulture, renewable energy, and swine.
The WCROC provides an excellent teaching and research location for students to gain hands-on experience in addressing these challenges using a system-wide approach. For example, while studying forages for livestock, students conduct research and experiments alongside agronomists/crop specialists in the field. Under the supervision of our faculty and staff, students engage with WCROC research projects to hone their problem-solving skills in areas with real-world applications. In many instances, students work in the same setting as or alongside farmers. Students engage in outreach opportunities provided by the WCROC to share their learning with industry professionals and local producers.
As the WCROC is in the heart of prairie country in western Minnesota, students are immersed in the agricultural setting. A majority of our internship students join us from the University of Minnesota Morris campus, which is within walking distance of the WCROC. We also have students join us for experiential learning opportunities from cities and colleges further away, which gives them exposure to living and working in a rural setting.
Both our Rising Agriculturalist Internship and the Harley E. Hanke Scholarship Fund ensure that these opportunities are available to every student, regardless of their financial situation. The Harley E. Hanke Scholarship Fund also benefits outreach programs for livestock producers throughout the year.