The University Lab Farms are open to the public and welcome visitors.
For information or tour appointments contact:
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
(715) 425-3809
Map of Campus Farm Locations
Laboratory Farm Facilities
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science has provided training in the agricultural sciences since 1912. It has earned an outstanding reputation for quality education and service to the people of Wisconsin. UW-River Falls operates two laboratory farms which are an integral part of the educational program. Many classes in animal sciences, horticulture, crops and soils science, environmental sciences, and agricultural engineering meet on the farms for the laboratory portions of the course. In addition to the production of crops, the laboratory farms support horse, beef and dairy cattle herds, a swine herd and a sheep flock. Demonstrations and experimental plots are also provided for student use. Cropland and livestock production facilities are used for classroom and hands-on educational purposes. Modern facilities house the animals and are used to demonstrate the relationships between management, nutrition, breeding, and environment.
Campus Farm
Located south of River Falls, the Campus Farm includes acreage for crops and horse operations. Included on the farm is a pavilion with a heated arena for "on the farm" lectures, horse barn, and a rodeo arena. A multi-purpose arena is utilized for livestock shows and sales, horse science course work, an indoor riding area & colt barn. FFA Career Development Events take place here as well. A six acre site on the northwest edge of the farm is devoted to agronomy, horticulture and forestry projects. These laboratory plots are used by students for research, observation, and practical learning experience. An intercollegiate rodeo is held each fall at the rodeo arena.
Mann Valley Farm
Located 2.5 miles northwest of River Falls on County Road MM, the Mann Valley Farm includes more than 290 acres. The farm houses beef, dairy, sheep, and swine operations. Facilities include beef finishing lots, swine farrowing, hoop and finishing barns, a sheep barn with heated lambing rooms.
Rations for livestock are formulated and processed at the farm facilities. Feed processing, grain drying, and storage units are located at the Mann Valley Farm. The farm's cropland produces the majority of feed required for livestock production. An interdisciplinary composting research program is housed on-site.
In addition to an indoor classroom, an outdoor pavalion is used for instruction, contests, workshops, livestock shows and sales. The Mann Valley Farm is the site of the new state-of-the-art Dairy Learning Center.
