Western Colorado Research Center
The Western Colorado Research Center is one of nine research centers that make up Colorado’s Agricultural Experiment Station, the state’s leader in agricultural research and education programs. Since 1888, AES supports Colorado-based agriculture and contributes to food security and health of our growing population in a changing climate.
The WCRC is comprised of three research farms, Orchard Mesa, Grand Valley, and Rogers Mesa – Organic. The three sites represent the diversity of climate, crops, and challenges of western Colorado agriculture, including focus on water conservation and efficiency, cold-hardiness, diseases, pests and varieties of grapes and tree fruits, integrated cropping systems, vegetable production, and food security.
The WCRC Research Farms
Geographically Distinct Locations with Diverse Research Goals
WCRC – Grand Valley
WCRC-Grand Valley, est. 1949, is located outside of Fruita, CO, and focuses on challenges associated with our arid climate and finding solutions to conserve critically important agricultural water resources. Research at WCRC-Grand Valley centers on:
- Irrigation and water resources
- Integrated cropping systems
- Alternative crops and forages
WCRC – Orchard Mesa
WCRC – Orchard Mesa, established in 1962, is located southeast of Grand Junction, CO at CSU’s interdisciplinary Western Campus facility. At Orchard Mesa, our primary areas of research and scholarship center around:
- Tree fruits
- Wine grape production
- Vegetable production
- Food Insecurity
- Agricultural Literacy
WCRC – Rogers Mesa
WCRC – Rogers Mesa, located near Hotchkiss, CO, received full organic certification in 2020. To serve the organic growers of the region, our focus at Rogers Mesa is exclusively on organic agriculture. Our primary research is currently centered around:
- Organic tree fruits
- Organic table and wine grapes
- Organic seed production
- Organic greenhouse cultivation
Research
Water and soil conservation are at the forefront of the work at Western Colorado Research Center. Each research farm has a unique focus layering themes and collaborative projects on several sites, like our winter pulse crop trials. The trials are held at Rogers Mesa and Grand Valley with a focus on soil health and managing water resources.
We are investing in our students so they become part of our collective agricultural future. We integrate them into our research team so they can work alongside research scientists, engage with our industry partners, and serve our local growers.
Outreach and Engagement
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Contact Information
Physical Address
3170 B 1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81503-9621
(970) 434-3264
Gigi Richard
WCRC Director
gigi.richard@colostate.edu
Monique Mull
Strategic Business Manager
monique.mull@colostate.edu
View More Events in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Agricultural Experiment Station
Research Farms
Addresses and Phone Numbers
WCRC – Orchard Mesa
3170 B 1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81503-9621
(970) 434-3264
WCRC – Grand Valley
1910 L Road
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 858-3629
WCRC – Rogers Mesa
30624 HWY 92
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
(970) 250-7559