Northwest Research-Extension Center
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Northwest Research-Extension Center
Northwest Research-Extension Center
Welcome to the Northwest Research-Extension Center, a hub of agricultural innovation in western Kansas located in Colby. As an integral unit of K-State Research and Extension, our Center stands at the forefront of addressing the grand challenges facing Kansas, from global food systems to personal health and family wellness.
Since its establishment in 1914, our center has been dedicated to discovering new knowledge and partnering with local communities to tackle pressing issues. With a service area encompassing counties in the northwest and north central regions of Kansas, our programs and services are tailored to meet the diverse needs of our stakeholders. Explore our work and join us in shaping a brighter future for Kansas and beyond.
NWREC Programs
- 4-H Youth Development
- Ag Economics
- Agronomy
- Beef Cattle Systems
- Cropping Systems
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Irrigation Engineering
- SNAP-Ed
- Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS)
Service Area
The programs and services of the Northwest Research-Extension Center are focused on counties in the northwest and north central portions of Kansas.
These include: Barton, Cheyenne, Ellis, Ellsworth, Decatur, Graham, Gove, Jewel, Lane, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Phillips,
Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas,
Trego, and Wallace.
History of the Northwest Research-Extension Center-Colby
The Colby Branch of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station was established in 1914 with the purchase of 314 acres plus improvements located adjacent to the southwest corner of the City of Colby. Later, the research land base was expanded to 727 acres. In 1987, the station was given its current name, Northwest Research-Extension Center, when the Northwest Area Extension office was moved onto the station.
History
The Colby Branch of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station was established in 1914 with the purchase of 314 acres plus improvements located adjacent to the southwest corner of the City of Colby. Later, the research land base was expanded to 727 acres. In 1987, the station was given its current name, Northwest Research-Extension Center, when the Northwest Area Extension office was moved onto the station.
Facilities / Land Resources
The research facilities at Colby includes 23 buildings. Both dryland and irrigated land resources are used for field crops research and production of foundation seed wheat or grain, hay, and silage.
| Class | Owned | Leased | Total |
| Cropland | 505 | 0 | 505 |
| Rangeland | 113 | 113 | 113 |
| B-R-W <1> | 93 | 0 | 93 |
| Acres | 711 | 0 | 711 |
| <1> B-R-W=Buildings, Roads, Waterways | |||
Human Resources
There are 7 faculty located at Colby. Faculty expertise is complemented by 9 full-time support staff including clerical, maintenance, and crop technician classifications. Student workers are hired for the summer field season. To learn more, please visit our faculty and staff page.
Fiscal Resources
Funding comes from a variety of sources including state appropriations (salaries and wages, operating, supplemental allocations for equipment and maintenance), crop sales (fees), grants, and gifts.