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College of Agriculture
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Northwestern Agricultural Research Center
Northwestern Agricultural Research Center
General Information
Overview
Geography
Soils
Climate Info
Location & Travel Directions
Map
Overview
The Northwestern Agricultural Research Center (NWARC) is an integral part of the statewide Montana Agricultural Experiment Station agricultural research center system. Scientists and staff at NWARC are actively involved with local agriculture and enjoy interaction with area farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness people. They also work with the MSU Cooperative Extension Service to serve the widely-varied agricultural needs of our immediate area and northwestern Montana.
NWARC was established by the 1947 legislature to conduct agricultural research to benefit producers in Montana, particularly in the following counties: Flathead, Granite, Mineral, Sanders, Lake, Missoula, Ravalli, Lincoln, Deer Lodge, and Powell. An advisory committee composed of at least one producer from each county meets annually to provide input on the future direction of research.
Of the 225 acres making up the grounds of the research center, 189 acres are planted to crops. Pastures are maintained on 30 acres of untillable ground. The remaining area is occupied by buildings, roads, lawn areas, and equipment yards.
Geography
NWARC is 2,970 feet above sea level, located at 48°11.214’ N latitude and 114°08.881’ W longitude on the west side of the continental divide. NWARC is located approximately six miles north of Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River.
Soils
The soils found on NWARC and surrounding area are primarily Creston silt loam and Flathead fine sandy loam. This mixture of soils is rated as one of the ten best agricultural soils in the United States. A smaller portion of the research center has Swims silty clay loam soil.
Climate
The average annual precipitation is 20.21 inches. The average frost-free period is 127 days. The average annual snowfall is 47.23 inches. The mean annual accumulation of growing degree days is 1,893.7 (base 50). More climatic information can be found using the weather link on the left of the page.
Location & Travel Directions
NWARC is located about 11 miles east of Kalispell at Creston. Creston is between mile markers 41 and 42 on Montana Highway 35. Highway 35 runs from Polson north along the east side of Flathead Lake to just east of Kalispell where it ends at the junction with Highway 2 East.
Coming from the south along Montana Highway 93 through Ronan, turn right (east) onto Montana Highway 35 at the first traffic light as you enter Polson.
Traveling north of Polson or south of Kalispell on Hwy. 93, turn east onto Hwy. 82 at the traffic light by the White Oak Lodge and Convenience Store just north of Somers. Travel seven miles to the road end at Hwy. 35. Turn left (north) onto Hwy 35.
If coming from the south and east through Seeley Lake and the Swan Valley on Montana Hwy. 83, turn right onto Hwy. 35 at the traffic light. Hwy. 83 ends at the junction with Hwy. 35.
Coming from the west on Montana Hwy. 2, drive all the way through Kalispell on Idaho Street (Hwy. 2). After passing Wal-Mart, stay in the far right-hand lane. This lane becomes Hwy. 35 as you pass through the traffic light at ShopKo. The sign directs you towards Bigfork.
Driving on Hwy. 2 from the east along the southern boundary of Glacier National Park and through Hungry Horse, turn south on Hwy. 206 at the traffic light just before you enter Columbia Falls. Hwy. 206 ends at Hwy. 35 by Woody’s Country Store. Turn left onto Hwy. 35. It is about four miles from Woody’s to NWARC.
Map
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