East Central Research Foundation Ltd

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 ECRF and Parkland College to share resources and jointly pursue agricultural research and extension. The partnership provides access to different funding sources and enables both organizations to benefit from each other’s expertise and industry relations.

The partnership has enabled Parkland College to become the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program aligned with its mandate to serve regional economic development. The field research site is also used to provide agricultural training to students.

Field research is conducted 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 three-year lease on this land.

The East Central Research Foundation has sold its facility in Canora and is developing a new research site near Yorkton.