Growers, researchers share enthusiasm for new ag lab

Friday was a fantastic day for the University of Arizona, said its president.

As he spoke, Robert N. Shelton was in Yuma showing off the newly unveiled Yuma Agricultural Center laboratory at 6425 W. 8th St., named the Glen G. Curtis Research Building in honor of the late citrus grower and developer.

"The timing couldn't be better," said Shelton after a dedication ceremony for the state-of-the art agriculture research facility. "Just yesterday I gave the state of the university address where I talked about its land grant roots."

While the UA has grown beyond its original commitment to agriculture and mining, agriculture still remains an important part of the college's mission, he said.

And no place better typifies that mission than Yuma, Shelton said.

"We're at the cusp of getting things launched," he said of the new Yuma lab.

"This is a major commitment to agriculture and the Yuma area financially, but even more the physical manifestation of power and collaboration. We view this as essential. Any grower can come in with any question and we'll put our best minds on it."

The Yuma Agricultural Center is staffed with eight faculty from four academic departments: plant sciences; entomology; soil, water and environmental sciences; and agricultural and biosystems engineering.

Research and outreach programs include plant physiology, crop production, insect biology and control, disease biology and control, weed ecology, soil and water management, environmental contaminants, food safety and agricultural mechanization.

With the labs' completion, the faculty based at the Yuma Agricultural Center will be consolidated in one state-of-the-art facility, a vast improvement over the dilapidated 1950s facilities they had been working in, said director Charles Sanchez.

Already settling into his new lab was entomologist John Palumbo. "This is as good as it gets," he said. "With the right equipment, I can do anything."

Around the corner, Mark Siemens, a mechanical engineer who joined the faculty in February to focus on agricultural mechanization, also was looking forward to moving into his new lab.

Their labs represent a major investment in the work they do by the local and Southern California agriculture industry.

"We're in the farming business," said Tom Edwards, who donated $75,000 to sponsor a lab. "They provide a valuable service. This is a worthwhile investment."

Agribusinessman Vic Smith feels the same way. "We have the top minds and best talent in the western U.S. - if not the entire country. They deserve a top facility. It's an honor to help provide it."

Total cost of the facility is $6 million, with $1.4 million donated by local sponsors, Sanchez said. He hopes an additional $600,000 will be raised locally.

A huge boost to the project was provided by Glen G. Curtis and his family, who pledged $250,000 to start the fundraising campaign. In honor of their support, the building is dedicated to the elder Curtis.

The fundraising "was an easy sell," said Jim Davis, senior director of development and alumni affairs for the UA College of Agriculture. He credited the reputation of the faculty and its relationship with the growers.

Davis said the UA college was rated No. 1 in the nation for the past two years for faculty productivity, including the work done in Yuma. With the new facility, he predicts even greater things by the Yuma-based faculty.

"This is a great facility and a great way to keep great faculty. Just think what they can do now in as fine a facility as you could find in Tucson in terms of the lab and the science that can be done."