Centers and Facilities

Wheat plots on the Saint Paul campus.Campus Field Plots

The St. Paul campus features outdoor land set aside for plant research, teaching and outreach activities. This land is divided into research plots and project areas and features a mix of both conventional and organic production systems. Typical crops grown in the plots include traditional MN crops like corn, soybean, wheat, barley, and alfalfa, as well as, some more specialty crops including tomatoes, peppers, and industrial hemp. Learn more. 

Annuals growing in St. Paul campus greenhouses.Plant Growth Facilities

The St. Paul campus plant growth facilities support a wide range of teaching and research projects, across multiple departments and colleges. The facilities include state-of-the-art greenhouses as well as specially designed classrooms that allow for plant research and education to take place year round. Projects supported by the facilities vary from aquaponics, plant breeding, disease resistance, insect control, organic production and much more. Learn more. 

Doug Brinkman at an environmentally controlled plant growth chamber.Environmentally Controlled Plant Growth Chambers

The MAES manages environmentally controlled growth chambers in locations across the St. Paul campus. The chambers are programmable and can sustain consistent environmental control for temperature, daylength, lighting intensity, etc. The capabilities of the chambers allow researchers to investigate plant growth and development of several plant species of interest from Arabidopsis to soybean. Learn more. 

Exotic parasitoid wasp in BSL-2.Insect Quarantine Facility (BSL-2)

The BSL-2 is a federally permitted facility that was constructed in 2003 to provide research scientists with the necessary containment for research on economically and ecologically important exotic insects and weeds. The goal of this BSL-2 facility is to provide a secure environment for research consisting of exotic insects for biological control of noxious weeds and insect pests in Minnesota. For more information on how to start a project in the BSL-2, contact a Quarantine Officer at 651-231-8846. 

BSL-3 containment facility.Plant Pathology Quarantine Facility (BSL-3)

The BSL-3 facility is a federally permitted facility that was constructed in 2008 to provide research scientists with the necessary high containment for research on economically and ecologically important exotic plant pathogens. The goal of this BSL-3 facility is to provide a secure environment for research on plant pathogens of agronomic and horticultural crops, nursery and forest industries without risk of introducing the pathogens into Minnesota. The BSL-3 is unique in that only a handful of these types of facilities exist in the United States. For more information on how to start a project in the BSL-3, contact a Quarantine Officer at 651-231-8846.

Bee and Pollinator Research Lab.Bee and Pollinator Research Lab

A new, state-of-the-art Bee and Pollinator Research Lab opened in 2016 on the St. Paul campus. The lab expands and enhances the University’s internationally recognized bee research and teaching program provides opportunities for enhanced interdisciplinary and international collaborations and allows for more opportunities for outreach with industry professionals and the public. Learn more.

Elm trees growing at the UFORE Nursery.Urban Forestry Outreach, Research & Extension Nursery

The Urban Forestry Outreach, Research & Extension Nursery and Lab (UFORE) is not only used by the University community but by professional arborists, garden center employees, nursery growers, private citizens, and urban foresters. The research nursery allows the UFORE team to work on a wide range of research projects related to urban forestry, teach undergraduates, and offer outreach education to the industry. Learn more. 

Native American Medicine Gardens.Native American Medicine Gardens

Originally established in 2003, the UMN Native American Medicine Gardens have been lovingly tended by a network of Native and non-Native individuals, families, and organizations with the goal of educating the broader University community about food sovereignty and indigenous culture, history, and ways of food production. The gardens consist of three plots, totaling 17,971 square feet, with a medicine wheel near the center. Learn more.

Aerial of Horticultural Display and Trial Gardens.Horticultural Display and Trial Gardens

Originally designed as a space to evaluate annuals, the Horticultural Display and Trial Gardens have been transformed into an outdoor laboratory for Horticulture students. Today, classes use the space to practice plant identification, learn horticultural techniques, grow material for floral designs, and observe insects. Learn more. 

Students and professors at the Cornercopia.Cornercopia Student Farm

Cornercopia is a student-driven, certified organic farm located in the St. Paul campus field plots. The farm focuses on providing students opportunities to learn firsthand what it takes to plan, grow and market food through coursework, internships, volunteer work, and otherwise. Every season, Cornercopia students produce 100+ varieties of fruits and vegetables and market them on the Twin Cities campus. Learn more.

Plot over at the TROE Turfgrass research center.TROE Turfgrass Research and Outreach Center

The Turfgrass Research and Outreach Center includes both a USGA specification research green and a native soil research green. The center is used for research, teaching, and outreach related to turfgrass, and features an automated rain-out shelter that is used for research on turfgrass water-use and drought tolerance. Learn more.

Testing samples inside the soil testing lab.Soil Testing & Research Analytical Laboratory

For over 40 years, the Soil Testing & Research Analytical Laboratory has provided Universities, State and Federal agencies, private companies, and the general public with quality analyses soil analysis. In 2017, it was updated and now offers over 100 state-of-the-art tests to ensure a high level of analytical precision, quality, and accuracy for every sample tested. Learn more. 

Invasive carp removal and MN lake.Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center

The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) completed renovations on its lab on the St. Paul campus in 2016. Originally built as a tractor garage in 1911, it is now a state-of-the-art research facility where researchers tackle the state's foremost AIS issues. The lab has 10,400 square feet of laboratory space and dedicated rooms to safely hold invasive plants, invertebrates, fish, and pathogens. Learn more.

Brown marmorated stinkbug, an invasive pest in Minnesota.Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center

The Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC) protects Minnesota’s native prairies, wetlands, forests, and agriculture from invasive plant, pathogen and pest threats. The Centers globally-significant research drives local changes to protect food security, preserve natural resources, and support economic vitality. Learn more.

Bell Museum. Bell Museum

The new Bell Museum, added to the St. Paul campus in Summer 2018, brings together science, art, and the environment with a unique Minnesota perspective. The Museum's new home features a digital planetarium, high-tech exhibits, the museum's famous wildlife dioramas, outdoor learning experiences and more. Learn more. 

Beef cattle on St. Paul campus.Animal Facilities

Research and teaching facilities designed for practical studies in beef and dairy cattle, poultry and swine production are located on the St. Paul campus. Additional large herds and flocks are located at agricultural Research and Outreach Centers in communities throughout Minnesota. Animal waste is treated on campus at the Animal Waste Treatment facility before being used as compost. Learn more. 

Leatherdale Equine Center.Leatherdale Equine Center

The Leatherdale Equine Center and its Piper Clinic, along with the West Metro Equine Practice, serve the community by advancing the health, well-being, and performance of horses. The Center provides clinical services for horses, cutting-edge research, equine veterinary education, and classes and community events. Each year, the clinics, research, and outreach programs are proud to help more than 1,000 horses. Learn more.

Rapture Center building.The Raptor Center

Established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center rehabilitates around 1,000 sick and injured raptors each year, while helping to identify emerging environmental issues related to raptor health and populations. The Center also trains students and vets from around the world and reaches about 150,000 people annually through its unique public education programs and events. Learn more. 

Meat being cut at the Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science.Meat Science Laboratory

The Meat Science Laboratory, located in the Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science, is a modern meat processing facility capable of processing both red meat and poultry species. In addition to the extension, research, and teaching capacities that the laboratory serves, fresh and processed meat products are also made available for purchase by the university community and interested parties. Learn more. 

Cheese making in the Food Processing Center.Joseph J. Warthesen Food Processing Center

The Joseph J. Warthesen Food Processing Center (pilot plant) houses excellent food product research and teaching facilities. The Center includes specialized equipment in the areas of dairy and cheese processing, twin-screw extrusion, aseptic/ESL processing, and various concentration operations. Campus made ice cream and cheese are often served at University events and can be purchased in the Meat and Dairy salesroom. Learn more.