Established in 1996, the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) is a non- profit organization whose mandate is to conduct crop production research and extension activities for the agricultural industry of east central Saskatchewan. It is directed by a board of local producers and advised by provincial specialists. ECRF is one of eight AgriARM sites in Saskatchewan.
In 2013 a memorandum of understanding was signed between the ECRF and Parkland College to share resources and jointly pursue agricultural research and extension. The partnership is proving to be ideal as the members have access to different funding sources and benefit from each other’s expertise and relations with industry. The partnership has enabled Parkland College to become the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program which fits with one of its mandates “to serve regional economic development”. Parkland College also uses the field research site to provide agricultural training to students.
The partnership currently conducts field research on two parcels of land located just south (SW 26 25 4 w2) and west of Yorkton (NW 3 26 4 w2). The city of Yorkton has provided the partnership with a 3 year lease on this land.
The East Central Research Foundation has sold its facility in Canora and is developing a new site near Yorkton.