The Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso, located in arid Far West Texas, serves a region that is unique in climate, geography, water resources, urban and agricultural development, demographics, and culture. The El Paso Center is one of 13 research centers established by Texas A&M and strategically placed throughout the state to address various climate and geographic issues. An urban center in the Chihuahuan Desert, El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas with a population of over 974,000. Among the most important needs for agriculture and urban residents is a reliable, adequate, and safe water supply. Rapid regional growth, frequent drought, competition for existing water, and environmental issues underscore the urgency for finding and implementing effective water, soil, and food solutions.
El Paso Center scientists are working in partnership with irrigation districts, agriculture sectors, water utility providers, community organizations, other universities, government agencies, private industries, and the general public to address these needs. The center is internationally recognized for its research in groundwater and surface water management, crop and landscape plants, soil and water salinity management, reclaimed-water use, conservation program effectiveness, integrated river basin management, and evaluation of the economic impacts of technology and policy changes.
The El Paso AgriLife Research Center has two locations, the main Research Center sits on 44 acres of land in El Paso off of I-10 and TX – 375 Loop and the Research Farm is located on 190 acres of land in Socorro, Texas. The center holds 65,000 square feet of research space, which includes laboratories with extensive analytic equipment, 5 greenhouses, a large classroom, and a 200-seat auditorium. Facilities are utilized by Texas A&M AgriLife Research as well as community partners.
Researchers are currently conducting programs in the following fields:
