About

ENREC was formerly the University of Nebraska’s Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead, Nebraska  and leverages existing land and facilities for research and education. The proximity of the center to 70% of the population in Nebraska provides the opportunity to engage learners in research-based education in and nearby their communities.

The total territory of ENREC encompasses 53 eastern counties of Nebraska. Each district offers its own unique Extension based on the University’s integrated research program. Educational programming in the area focuses heavily on the specific needs of each area providing nationally respected expertise in Beef Systems, The Learning Child, Community Environment, Community Vitality Initiative, Cropping and Water Systems, Food, Nutrition and Health, 4-H Youth Development, and Disaster Recovery Resources.

The scope and diversity of ongoing research projects at this location combines to make the site one of the most unique research facilities in the United States. The site is a major research and education facility of the Agricultural Research Division of the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). The size and diversity of the center offers many research and educational opportunities. Through its strategic planning process, IANR has set a course for agricultural research, extension and teaching that will help ensure a financially solid and environmentally sound agricultural future for Nebraska. This site plays a key role in implementing the action plans that support this leadership process.

The site consists of approximately 9,663 acres (3,912 hectares). About half of the land base is in row crops. Fifty percent of those row crops are irrigated. The balance of the site is predominately in cool and warm season pastures. Over 6,000 domestic farm animals used for research and teaching reside onsite as well.

The size and diversity offers many research and educational opportunities in integrated systems research. And our educational programs attract about 5,000 people each year.