SCLT Explore History Features Sheridan Experiment Farm

SCLT held its Explore History program at the Tongue River Valley Community Center on August 16. The program featured Brian Mealor, who talked about the history of the Wyoming Ag Research and Extension Center, also called the Experiment Farm in Sheridan County.

He joined Sheridan R&E Center in 2015 and hopes to preserve the history of the center and its contributions to Sheridan County and the surrounding region.

He said that the University of Wyoming’s Sheridan Research and Extension Center has been actively engaged in agricultural research in northeast Wyoming, neighbors helping neighbors for over 100 years.

Mealor talked about why this is an important institution in Sheridan County. He gave a background on the University of Wyoming and the Experiment Farms in Wyoming, saying that at one time 27 different farms in Wyoming, at various towns throughout the state.

Today, there are only four, including the one near Sheridan. There is still one in Laramie, one in Powell, and one in Lingle. The first experiment farm in Sheridan was from 1891-1897 and was 50 irrigated acres divided into one-acre plots. It was located two miles south of Sheridan on Little Goose Creek and on south end of the original fairgrounds. John D. Loucks was the first director.

One year the farm produced 23 tons of sugar beets per acre on the dry land. Today, Mealon said, irrigated farms produce around 35 ton of sugar beets per acre.

In 1892 the farm worked on winter protection for fruit trees, and it was trying to find what fruit trees would grow in this area, and what kind of garden vegetables could be grown. At one time they grew peanuts as well. He added that John Lewis, superintendent, was famous for his watermelons, and tried to develop a chicken that would lay double yolk eggs.

Mealon said that the farm attracted hundreds of visitors in 1893, as interest in agriculture was tied to survival. Settlers wanted to know the newest and best crops to grow to bring in money, and which breeds of sheep or cattle might grow best on native pastures. “Today, we have become farther removed from agriculture,” he said

Experiment Farms were started as a way to experiment with different crops that would flourish in Wyoming soil and the sometimes-harsh Wyoming climate. One thing they cannot control is nature. Mealon said that in 1895,

In 1916 the farm was moved to the current location near Wyarno. It is the longest continuous experimental farm in the state of Wyoming. It operates on 300 acres of mostly dryland, with some irrigation, and Mealon said that the Experiment Farm continues to grow grasses, small grains and trees, and some of the trees planted 100 years ago are still there. They use greenhouses to extend the growing season in Sheridan County.

He said the farm looks to educated young people about agriculture.

He also said they encourage visitors, but those interested in visiting the farm should call first and set up an appointment.

Explore History programs are presented every third Tuesday at 10:30 am are a partnership between TRVCC in Dayton and SCLT and is made possible with a grant from Next50.