The Fruita site is located 15 miles northwest of Grand Junction. With an average growing season of 175 days at an elevation of 4500 ft, the reasonably deep loam soils at this location have been the home of the bulk of agronomic research conducted at the Western Colorado Research Center. Variety performance trials of new/improved varieties of alfalfa, beans and small grains have been an integral part of the research program at the Fruita site. The Colorado Foundation Bean Program is housed at Fruita. Laboratory facilities were recently added to facilitate research into the production of natural rubber from sunflowers. A History of agronomic research in western Colorado.
