Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center

Renderings of the soon-to-be-built headquarters for the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. The construction team is moving dirt now to make way for the new building.

Research Focus

The mission of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center (NERREC) is to discover and develop innovative, efficient rice production practices, using genetically diverse and adapted cultivars, to maximize net return for Arkansas rice producers, and to provide extension-based education/outreach to the public on the value of Arkansas rice in a sustainable ecosystem.

The NERREC will conduct research on rice production practices that maximize farm income while conserving natural resources. In particular, maximizing water use efficiency will be a priority. This farm is located west of Crowley’s Ridge, so it is typically more costly to irrigate with groundwater in this region than rice production areas east of Crowley’s Ridge. Therefore, the NERREC will conduct research on irrigation automation technologies that have the potential to increase water use efficiency and enhance environmental sustainability.

Other research priorities include evaluating innovative rice production practices as they relate to soil health, residue management and carbon sequestration, exploring the use of innovative technologies in artificial intelligence and robotics in rice production, and assessing production systems and management practices that enhance “quality of life” for Arkansas rice producers and the non-farming public alike.

Education and Outreach Focus

The NERREC Education Program aims to provide youth and adults across the state with an educational experience focused on Arkansas rice production. When guests walk through the doors of the NERREC, they will find a hands-on classroom where they can learn about rice production around the world. A connected greenhouse will show rice and other crops at all growth stages throughout the year. Guests will have the opportunity to experience the different tastes, smells and textures of rice varieties from around the world prepared in a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. The NERREC Education Program is designed to be a window to the world of rice — providing learning opportunities for students and adults throughout the Arkansas Delta and beyond.

Facts

• NERREC is located on 600 acres in Poinsett County
• This is the only Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station research location based on “white soils” (predominant Henry Silt Loams) found in this rice production area of the Arkansas Delta.  As such, it will provide rice producers on these unique soils with much needed research-based information.
• NERREC has a 32-acre surface water reservoir, 16 acres of bottomland hardwoods and 13 miles of farm roads.
• The L’Anguille River forms the western border of the farm.
• The farm is comprised of 110 acres precision zero-grade fields (divided into six fields) and 309 acres precision graded to 0.1’/100’ (divided into 11 fields)

Resources

• 32 acres precision graded to 0.03’/100’
• 19 acres precision graded to 0.05’/100’
• 17,520 feet (3.3 miles) of subsurface irrigation pipeline
• Two relift pumps drawing water from the L’Anguille River (powered by 3-phase electric)
• One deep water irrigation well (powered by 3-phase electric)

History