About
The Western Colorado Research Center (WCRC) is comprised of three research sites on the western slopes, each uniquely equipped to conduct research on distinctively different agricultural systems. WCRC serves scientists, support staff, and students by providing facilities, equipment, land, and technical and administrative support services for field instruction, research, and outreach activities. Researchers at WCRC also cooperate with campus to perform research relevant to western Colorado.
WCRC - Grand Valley
Northeast of Fruita, supports research on sustainable agricultural water use, efficient irrigation practices and technology, integrated cropping systems, and alternative crops and forages.
WCRC - Orchard Mesa
Southeast of Grand Junction, conducts research on tree fruits, wine grapes, and ornamental horticulture, and is proud to host the Community Alliance for Education and Hunger Relief.
WCRC - Rogers Mesa
Located near Hotchkiss, focuses entirely on organic agriculture and conducts research involving tree fruits, table grapes, and vegetables to support the organic fruit and vegetable farms in the North Fort of the Gunnison River valley.
Research and Community Engagement
In addition to research activities, the WCRC is dedicated to supporting food security and ag literacy in communities of western Colorado. Our “Farm to Food Bank” and “Farm to School” programs are a vital components of the activities of the research center and serve to connect our work directly back to the community.
Our Vision
Our Mission
WCRC – Orchard Mesa
We are located seven miles southeast of Grand Junction at an elevation of 4,750 feet with an annual precipitation of only nine inches per year. Our research includes studies on tree fruits, wine grape production, and vegetables. We are the home of WCRC’s Community Food Systems Program that connects WCRC’s research to our community via Farm to School and Farm to Food Bank programs.
Inches of Annual Precipitation
Elevation
WCRC – Grand Valley
We are in Mesa County’s Grand Valley, northeast of Fruita, CO at an elevation of 4,510 feet. Receiving less than 10 inches a year of precipitation on average, our research addresses the challenges associated with our arid climate and conserving agricultural water resources. Our growing season averages up to 175 frost-free days. WCRC-Grand Valley conducts the bulk of the agronomic research for the WCRC, sharing our findings and knowledge on integrated cropping systems, alternative crops, and forages with our regional industry and university partners.
Frost-Free Days
Inches of Annual Preciptiation
WCRC – Rogers Mesa
WCRC – Rogers Mesa is located three miles west of Hotchkiss, CO and sits at an elevation of 5,800 feet. The research farm was established at Rogers Mesa in the 1950s and re-opened in 2017 as a fully-certified organic operation. WCRC-RM has a 125-day frost-free growing season and sits on nearly 80 acres and utilize 65 acres for certified organic cultivation. Our work centers on organic agriculture for tree fruits, table and wine grapes, organic seed production and greenhouse cultivation.
