Ag Center

The Central Lakes College Agricultural and Energy Center has a rich history of research and demonstration efforts to support new opportunities for economic development in Greater Minnesota. Early efforts with demonstrating irrigation have aided in the expanded use of this critical management tool. The Center continues with ongoing research and demonstration field relating to crop varieties and new crop opportunities for the region. The addition of the Living Legacy Gardens in 2000 has provided the general public the unique opportunity to experience an extensive flower and herb demonstration, a small orchard, and a native prairie restoration.

The Central Lakes Agricultural Center includes a ten acre site adjacent to the Staples Campus of Central Lakes College owned by the college and a 420 acre farm that is leased from the Staples Motley School District and Staples Economic Development Authority. The college-owned parcel hosts an office building with a small conference center, maintenance buildings, storage facilities, a corn burner, and the Living Legacy Gardens. Staffs from Central Lakes College, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the University of Minnesota Central Minnesota Regional Partnership are located in the office complex. The Center has been in operation since 1968.

Recent efforts with non-food crop demonstrations in alternative/renewable energy development have been an expanded focus for the Center. The Center is targeting locally produced fuels that will aid in providing economic development in rural communities in greater Minnesota. Research and Demonstration efforts at the Center will help to prove the concept of Distributed Energy.

Agricultural and Energy Center Strategic Plan (pdf)