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Three people, standing in front of a white garage door, are holding a green ribbon.
Heidi Eslinger, David Titus, and Spencer Eslinger (left to right) during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Oakes Irrigation Research Site.
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Oakes Irrigation Research Site celebration

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In August we celebrated a major milestone at the Oakes Irrigation Research Site (OIRS). For over ten years we have been renovating the equipment and facilities at that location. At our Field Day on August 6, we held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the new headquarters building, the capstone of the renovation.

It is remarkable to think about the number of pieces that had to come together to make this all possible. We started by replacing the linear irrigation system at the site, largely supported by the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. During this period, a regional fundraising drive started to generate seed funding for the headquarters building, and over $50,000 was raised. Many equipment upgrades modernized planting and harvest equipment. A pesticide storage space and work room were built along with a hoop structure. Two small out-buildings were removed to make space for the new headquarters building.

The Oakes Irrigation Research Site would not be possible if not for many supporters over the years. Neighbors and partners at the OIRS are the reason the site still exists. In particular, the research land was leased from the Robert Titus family, and later the Titus family donated the land to NDSU. The Garrison Diversion Conservancy District was also a site partner, since its inception in 1970, providing direction and operating support. The headquarters building shell was constructed by the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, and an appropriation from the ND Legislature finished the interior space along with community-raised funds.

Our ribbon cutting was well-attended and we heard from several of the parties that made the project possible, including Dave Titus (on behalf of Robert Titus), Heidi Eslinger (long-time Research Technician at OIRS), Walt Albus (previous Site Manager), Representative Mike Brandenburg and Senator Robert Erbele (ND Legislature), and Greg Lardy (NDSU Vice President of Agriculture).

Thank you all for your support over the years.

Mike Ostlie, Ph. D.
Mike.Ostlie@ndsu.edu
Director and Agronomist