The North Dakota State University Main Research Station is located on the campus of the North Dakota State University. The station is the administrative location of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES). The administrative unit of the NDAES is housed in Morrill Hall on the Fargo campus.

The station conducts research and coordinates all research activities of the Agricultural Experiment Station. The purpose of the research is the development and dissemination of technology important to the production and utilization of food, feed, fiber, and fuel from crop and livestock enterprises. The research provides for an enhancement of economic development, quality of life, sustainability of production, and protection of the environment. The Main Research Station keeps detailed records of all activities and publishes the information that will be of value to the residents of this state.

The main station is home to more than 2,500 acres of crop research ground in and around the Fargo campus, the AES greenhouse complex; beef systems center of excellence; and other laboratories, centers and institutes www.ag.ndsu.edu/research/laboratories-centers-institutes.

Approximately 450 NDSU faculty and staff with agricultural research appointments contribute to the research mission of the entire NDAES.  Basic and applied research in all sciences relating to agriculture provide the foundation for research at the main station.

Research information can be found at individual NDSU department/schools; research extension centers; and laboratory, center, and institute websites.

Data on yearly crop variety performance, from the Main Station and from the Research Extension Centers, may be found at: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/varietytrials

A Great History

2012 marked the 150th anniversary of the federal Morrill Act, which established the state land-grant universities such as NDSU. It also marked the 125th anniversary of the Hatch Act, the federal legislation establishing the state Experiment Stations. The Main Station of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station was in operation in Fargo in 1890. We cherish and honor our legacy established over a century ago to work on solving problems affecting the needs of our great state and nation. 

History Highlights:  Please see the timeline of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) and establishment of the multiple Research Extension Centers, and the tenure of the 14 individuals since 1890 who have served as director of the NDAES.

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