United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

Southern Regional Research Center

Researching Today for a Brighter Tomorrow!

History

The Southern Regional Research Center is one of four regional facilities created by the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, otherwise known as the Farm Bill. It is located in the beautiful state of Louisiana just minutes from Lake Pontchartain. The Center also has a field location in Houma, Louisiana dedicated to sugarcane research. The Center continues to be one of the leading agricultural contributors to the American consumer and the agricultural research industry abroad.

Some developments that have resulted from the Center's research include durable press cotton, flame retardant cotton fabrics, frozen orange juice concentrate, partially defatted peanuts, and improved varieties of sugarcane.

Mission

The Center's mission is to continue to find new ways to fully utilize agricultural products, develop new uses for farm products, promote human health and nutrition, improve product safety and quality, and develop crop productions technologies that minimize environmental impact.

Program

The Center's research program is divided into five areas:

• Cotton Quality
• Food Processing & Quality and Food Safety
• Commodity Uses and Environmental Science
• Sugarcane Productivity and Pest Management and Utilization
• Formosan Subterranean Termite

Community Outreach

The Center is a very active participant in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area and surrounding pasishes/counties. Many high schools and colleges visit the Center throughout the year, presentations are made to civic and community organizations, and our scientists participate with John F. Kennedy High School mentor program.

Additional Information

More information about the Center can be obtained from the Outreach Coordinator at (504) 286-4213. Information about the Center can also be found on the web site address at http://nola.srrc.usda.gov

Dr. John Patrick Jordan, Center Director