Introduction



The Texas A&M Blackland Research and Extension Center (BREC), a unit within the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), is doing much to improve the lives of people in Central Texas and and the world. Scientists at the center are improving the region's water and soil quality by conducting research and developing new technologies for farmers and ranchers to make better land and water management decisions; are enhancing the region's educational resources by electronically connecting schools, cities and others; and are part of a team using computer models to evaluate economic and environmental impacts of land management practices. Here are a few other facta about Blackland.

MISSION

Our mission is to be one of the preeminent agricultural research and extension centers in Texas. To achieve this, we will:

  • Be responsive to the needs of the citizens of Texas, especially those of the Central Texas agricultural community.
  • Produce consistently high quality research products.
  • Work synergistically with other parts of the Texas A&M University System, and other government and private agencies and entities.
  • Develop and apply technologies that are economically viable, enhance environmental quality, and preserve natural resources.
  • Provide for personal and professional development of our employees.

View our Unit Vision.

BACKGROUND

  • Created in 1909 as part of the TAES, a state agricultural research agency affiliated with the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS).
  • One of 13 off-campus research and extension centers that, along with faculty from Texas A&M University (TAMU), conduct research and deliver education programs for the citizens of Texas to ensure a safe and affordable food supply, save and restore the environment, and strengthen the economy.
  • Shares space in the Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory (GSWRL) of the USDA/Agricultural Research Service (ARS). TAES and ARS scientists have worked cooperatively at Temple for nearly 75 years, and also work with scientists from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who are co-located at the lab.
The synergism between Blackland and Grassland scientists is a principal reason for the success of the Temple laboratory. Research programs from both agencies are closely linked and scientists are able to capitalize on the strengths of each other. Resources (e.g. equipment, personnel, financial) are shared, and joint research is planned and conducted.

RESOURCES

Computer. There are over 100 personal computers, about 10 UNIX-based workstations, and other computer hardware components (hard drives, large format printers, scanners, etc.) connected in a high-speed (100 Mb/s) local area network. Blackland has excellent high-speed connections to the Internet through TAMU. A staff maintains the network.

Facilities. A 12,000 square foot TAES office building serves as the main TAES headquarters. Blackland staff also occupies space within the facilities of the GSWRL and have access to offices, laboratories, greenhouses, shop facilities, and land for field experiments.

Financial. From FY2002 through FY2004, the BREC budget averaged about $3 million per year. Approximately $2 million of this was obtained from grants and contracts and $1 million was obtained from TAES.

Human. There are about 90 full-time employees at the laboratory in Temple. Of these, about 45 are with TAES, 40 are with ARS, and 5 are with the NRCS. Blackland scientists support graduate students at TAMU and other universities. Visiting scientists from other universities and countries often are at Blackland.

For additional information contact:

Dr. Tom Gerik
Professor and Interim Resident Director
Blackland Research and Extension Center
720 E. Blackland Road
Temple, TX 76502
(254) 774-6000
(254) 774-6001 (fax)

Email: tgerik@brc.tamus.edu

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