North Central Agricultural Research Station
History
The North Central Agricultural Research Station was established in 1978. Initially focused on the Lake Erie region's processing tomato industry, the station's activities have expanded over the past two decades to include research on other vegetable crops, both for processing and fresh-market uses. The facility is equipped with modern buildings, two greenhouse, and a deep well for irrigation. North Central ARS is also home to five acres of certified organic land, which supports this kind of agricultural in the state. Research at the station is greatly influenced by local and regional stakeholders, processors and university faculty and by the station's advisory committee.
Research Focus
The North Central ARS maintains an intensive research program that addresses the profitability and sustainability of northern Ohio's specialty crop industry: vegetable crops (tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins and sweet corn); and field crops (soybeans, wheat, barely and others). The station serves as a key regional location for breeding research; fungicide, insecticide and herbicide evaluations; and studies of new and evolving production practices. Scientists at the station work to develop value-added products while incorporating integrated solutions to safeguard the environment.
Emphasis is placed on developing new cultivars for the whole-pack peeled tomato industry based in the Great Lakes region, whose humid growing conditions require varieties resistant to disease. North Central ARS has maintained a long-standing tomato breeding and genetics research program; identifying new disease-resistant traits in response to grower needs, combing this resistance with fruit-quality traits emphasizing high-value consumer products, and releasing varieties and parent material to the seed industry.
Adequate management of insect pests, plant diseases and weeds is vital to the profitability of the specialty crop industry of north-central and northwest Ohio. These pests are ever-evolving and periodically develop resistance to current control methods. Researchers at North Central ARS continually work to identify new strains of diseases that develop over time; evaluate new insecticide, herbicide and fungicide chemistry for effectiveness; tests seed treatments and new application equipment and technologies; and look at a variety selection and grafting of crops for resistance or susceptibility to disease and pests.
North Central ARS personnel and researchers also look for ways to better manage crops, through experiments related to transplant quality, plant populations, use of growth regulators and effective fertilizer usage; as well as by finding new crops and varieties that are highly profitable for stakeholders in northern Ohio. This research helps producers boost production and profitability, improve fruit and vegetable quality, and identify and prevent food contamination, while minimizing fertilizer inputs and impact on the local environment.
Outreach and Ohio State University Extension
In addition to research, the North Central ARS works vigorously on community outreach activities. The station cooperates with Ohio State Extension in organizing educational events, as well as field days, short courses, and workshops for growers and other audiences.
North Central ARS
1165 County Road 43
Fremont, OH 43420
Phone: 419-332-5142