GCR tours the University of Arizona Maricopa Agriculture Center
Director Ken Johnson and GCR's Jane Hays at the entrance of the University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center in Maricopa, AZ.
GCR’s Jane Hays recently toured the University of Arizona's Maricopa Agriculture Center (MAC) with Director Ken Johnson. Situated in Maricopa, AZ and spanning 2,100 acres, the MAC stands as a central hub within the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station. It spearheads disciplinary field investigations, creates and disseminates integrated agricultural technologies and fosters research and educational outreach initiatives. The center provides infrastructure and resources for extension outreach activities and University classes, with a primary focus on crops like cotton, small grains and alfalfa, as well as specialty crops catering to fibers, oils and pharmaceuticals. Research at MAC covers a wide array including irrigation, soil fertility, insect management, cotton breeding, novel crop applications, weed control, plant diseases, and urban entomology.
In addition to its research, MAC hosts a diverse range of educational programs throughout the year that cater to all age groups. These initiatives include 4-H, Nutrition Ag-Ventures, Desert Ag-Ventures, the Amazing Corn Festival, and Water Science Ag-Ventures, among others. These programs play a crucial role in promoting agricultural literacy and engaging the community in hands-on learning experiences.