ARDEC was founded in 1993 in order to encourage cooperation between soils, crop and water research scientists in an integrated setting under common management. This concept began developing in the 1980's and became a reality in March of 1993. At that time, the field research stations currently located at ARDEC were stationed at several different locations around the state, but with the foundation of ARDEC, they were all unified. Since its establishment, ARDEC has continued to improve its programs and has kept up with the changing needs and demands of today's agricultural issues and challenges.
In 1999, a second ARDEC was opened ¼ mile east of the ARDEC-Plant Sciences in an attempt to create the same type of facility for Animal Sciences.
The facility embodies several important concepts. It provides opportunities to conduct investigations on agricultural problems in a coordinated and integrated approach by bringing together multi-disciplinary expertise. Problems may include the entire system of agriculture from inputs (land, water, genetic materials) through production to value added processing. The facilities provide faculty, staff, students, agricultural producers, processors, agribusiness representatives, natural resource managers, governmental agencies and others with the opportunity to participate in work conducted on-site. The facility has been designed to provide flexible common use areas for peak period needs and shared equipment use for maximum resource use. This reduces the unnecessary duplication of equipment between departments.
Located just 4 miles north of Fort Collins, ARDEC serves Colorado State University in facilitating many different agricultural related projects and research activities through the commitment and dedication of state resources. The center is the result of much dedicated effort, including: CSU faculty, staff, students, administrators, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Capital Development Committee of the Colorado General Assembly - all of whom have greatly contributed to the success and integrity of ARDEC facilities.
What we do:
- Conduct integrated agriculture research instruction and outreach programs for the departments and areas of:
- Soil and Crop Science
- Plant Science
- BioAgricultural Science and Pest Management
- Horticulture
- Animal Science
- Food Science and Human Nutrition
- Enable campus-based faculty and students to engage in hands-on learning and research projects
- Act as a base for conducting off-site activities with other research centers throughout the state of Colorado
- Involve cooperative programs with U.S.D.A Agricultural Research Service
What we strive for:
- ARDEC provides the opportunity to conduct investigation on agricultural problems with a coordinated and integrated approach by bringing together multi-disciplinary expertise.
- The facilities provide faculty, staff, producers, processors, Ag-business representatives, natural resource managers, government agencies, students and others the opportunity to participate in work conducted on-site
- Teaching and educating students as well as the general public on the importance of U.S agriculture and new technologies
