Maricopa ag research center recognized for accomplishments
by Grace Harrah | Maricopa Monitor
Large areas around Maricopa are dedicated to agriculture, a resource that has provided for the community since the 1930s.
The U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center has made multiple nationally recognized achievements within the past year. Part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it has been in place since 2006 as an addition to the University of Arizona’s Maricopa Agricultural Center to “develop environmentally friendly agricultural practices for arid climates,” according to the USDA. Cotton farming has been a major factor in Maricopa, next to cattle, alfalfa, peas, melons, citrus and pecans.
The facility has a multidisciplinary research center that includes the U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory and Western Cotton Research Laboratory. Major scientific accomplishments have been made previously at both of the laboratories, developing integrated management techniques to improve cotton production, control pests and improve methods for crop irrigation.
