Welcome to COARC

Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center is located in Madras, Oregon (Jefferson County). This puts the facility at the center of 60,000 acres of irrigated crop land and in the center of Central Oregon Seed production.  High value, specialty crops provide the core of this progressive agricultural community including: hybrid carrot seed, Kentucky bluegrass seed, peppermint oil and tea leaf, garlic seed, wheat, alfalfa and grass hay, specialized potatoes and rangeland restoration.

The purpose of Oregon Agricultural Experiment Stations is to conduct research and provide valuable knowledge relating to agriculture, food systems and biological, social and environmental sciences, which in turn helps improve the quality of life of people and their environments. Experiment stations work to:

• Ensure stable, productive agriculture, while protecting natural resources.
• Improve and create new ways for agricultural efficiency.
• Find ways to protect crops and animals from pests, disease and other hazards.
• Protect and improve the environment and others’ quality of life.
• Develop new agricultural products and processes.
• Protect and enhance consumer’s food quality and its source.
• Encourage rural and urban community development.

Oregon Agricultural Experiment Stations do not help just residents of Oregon; their knowledge is also shared across many other states and countries. Continue to read more about the legacy of land grant institutions. 

COARC provides the agricultural community of Jefferson County with valuable information including: Growing Degree Days (GDD), which is the number of days that the average temperature is above the base temperature of 50°. These are updated every Monday with current GDD information. Current Aphid Trap Reports, are also available by mid-week.

To learn more about the Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center, read our Research Success Stories.