The Wallace Foundation was formed in 1990 to enhance agricultural research and education for Southwest Iowa. The Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm was established by a donation of 40 acres and the sale of 360 acres to the foundation by Gail and Glendale Armstrong in 1993.

Research

• Crops. Row crop and forage management studies focus on corn and soybean row spacing, strip-cropping, insecticide and herbicide trials, planting dates and populations, and weed managment.
• Soil. Agronomists study potassium and phosphorus application rates and placement and their effect on soil fertility and crop yields. They also study timing and rates of nitrogen, lime and manure on row crops. The topography of the area makes soil erosion and tillage work important.
• Livestock. Researchers study sustainable livestock production methods. Animal scientists conduct beef nutrition, health and management studies. Beef cattle are in rotational grazing and forage utilization trials. An alternate deep-bedded breed-to-wean swine production system is studied at the farm.

Facilities

• A cattle-feeding research unit was completed in 1995. Pastures and forage feeding equipment support rotational grazing studies.
• The 9,500 square foot Wallace Learning Center features a meeting place for up to 150 people.