Oakes Irrigation Research Site
The Oakes Irrigation Research Site was established in 1970 on an approximately 40-acre tract of land 4.5 miles south of Oakes, ND and adjacent to ND State Hwy 1. The major goals of the Oakes Irrigation Research Site are encompassed in the following objectives:
- Provide irrigators with information that results in efficient crop production.
- Develop and refine Best Management Practices that are producer acceptable.
- Provide irrigation development in North Dakota.
- Determine alternate and specialty crops to be grown under irrigation in North Dakota and develop agronomic practices for their successful adaption.
A cooperative agreement between North Dakota State University and the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District makes this research effort possible. The University provides technical staff; Kelly Cooper, a research agronomist, Seth Nelson as research specialist, Heidi Eslinger as research technician and seasonal employees as needed. The Garrison Diversion Conservancy District provides most of the financial resources. North Dakota State University faculty and staff from the departments of Soil Science, Plant Sciences, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Plant Pathology and Agricultural Experiment Station participate in conducting experiments at the site.
