The MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center is a hub for sustainable agriculture innovation and education that is relevant to the environment, economy and needs of UP communities.

Welcome to UPREC

The Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center (UPREC) was established in 1899 at Chatham, Michigan to conduct, "experiments pertaining to agriculture and horticulture...beneficial to the agricultural interests of the Upper Peninsula." For over 120 years, UPREC has spearheaded research investigating the breadth of UP crops and livestock, and delivered educational programming serving generations of UP farmers and community members.

Today, the facility is comprised of two campuses totaling 827 acres, and serves as a hub for sustainable agriculture innovation and education. The UPREC South Farm maintains a herd of experimental grass-fed Red Angus beef cattle and conducts research on forage and field crops. The North Farm is dedicated to research on certified organic specialty crops and hosts a farm business incubator program to help grow the next generation of U.P. farmers. Staff at UPREC also partner with local schools, public agencies, agribusinesses and producers across Michigan to execute off-site research and outreach addressing critical local needs in food, agriculture and natural resources. 

UPREC occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. In particular, the facility resides on land ceded in the 1836 Treaty of Washington. We recognize Michigan’s 12 federally recognized Native Nations, historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and those who were forcibly removed from their homelands. In offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty, history and experiences.

UPREC Strategic Planning Report

UPREC 2019 Annual Report

Chatham Enviro-Weather Station

 

 

News

Events

  • Aug 5

    Organic Vegetable Field Day

    August 5, 2021 9:00AM – 1:00PM Program begins at 9 am, lunch begins at noon. MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center - North Farm N5431 Rock River Rd Chatham MI 49816

UPREC is suspending in-person Extension programs, community events and walk-in services in response to the novel coronavirus.  We are still open to serve the public at 906-439-5114 (office), 989-225-3221 (cell) or dedecke5@msu.edu.

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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Interim Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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