Piketon Research and Extension Center

History

The Piketon Research and Extension Center (PREC) at the OSU South Centers was established in 1991 as a joint research station and Extension facility. The 145-acre complex is composed of specialty crops, field crops, research ponds, a reservoir pond, and woodlands. In addition to lab, office, and classroom spaces in PREC, the Endeavor Center opened in 2005 to foster business, community, workforce and economic development. South Centers provides an integral link between research conducted in the fields, forest, and aquatic environments, CFAES departments, and Extension statewide.

Research Focus

The physical location of OSU South Centers in the Appalachian region of southern Ohio influences research, educational programming, and outreach activities. Farms in Appalachian Ohio tend to be of smaller acreage than farms in other areas of the state, in part due to rolling hill topography. Traditionally, tobacco production was a reliable source of income on the relatively small acreage farms in the region. However, as farm policy and economics shifted, concerns emerged about the loss of important family income. Farm enterprise diversification and local small business development have been long-standing themes of focus, building upon advances in production, pest management, marketing, and economics.

Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crop News

Ohio Integrated Pest Management Program

ePLUS (Produce, Landscape, Urban, and Specialty Crops) on-location research reports

Specialty Crop Enterprises

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). They are intensively cultivated agricultural products distinguished from commodity crops like corn, wheat, soy, and livestock feed. Efforts to develop specialty crops that can be economically grown and marketed, to enhance southern Ohio farm income through applied research and education remain central to the mission of South Centers. Past projects have included evaluations for new or expanded specialty crops, including strawberries, pawpaws, blueberries, brambles, wine grapes, hops, malting barley, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and hardy figs. Current collaborative projects focus on systems and integrated pest management for a variety of fruits, vegetables, aquaponic crops, and culinary mushrooms. 

Aquatic and Woodland Resource Management

Aquaculture (raising and harvesting aquatic organisms) and Aquaponics (systems that merge fish and plant production) research aims to increase adoption, sustainability, and economic viability through improved genetics, fish nutrition, waste management, and food science technology. The industry’s continued growth in the region necessitates enhanced support in hatchery production, fish health, indoor production systems, workforce development, and economic impact analysis.

Ohio’s Appalachian woodlands account for a $3.3 billion forest products industry. Land and water resources provide direct and indirect benefits across Southern Ohio, such as flood control, drinking water, and carbon sequestration. Tourism connected to fisheries, wildlife, and outdoor recreation is well-supported by vast access to ‘green infrastructure’ across southern Ohio provided by conservation of natural resources. 

Outreach and Ohio State University Extension

An advisory network approach focused on the southern Ohio agricultural community provides critical input in the planning and development of many research projects. This network brings together producers, CFAES researchers, and Ohio State Extension professionals, who help align research priorities with relevant industry needs. 

The research conducted at South Centers is intended to be applied and directly translatable to practitioners. In conjunction with Ohio State Extension specialists, South Centers personnel organize field days and workshops for producers and collaborate with industry groups, community organizations, and local agencies. The South Centers is also involved in youth outreach programs with local schools and 4-H programs.

Active demonstrations to facilitate on-site learning include Plant by Number gardens within the landscapes, a vineyard and alternative small fruits area, an indoor culinary mushroom growth chamber, an interactive aquaponics bay, and an environmental education woodland, including a Bee Tree Trail.

South Centers also provides leadership to the statewide Ohio Integrated Pest Management and ePLUS Extension projects. These projects further the reach of applied and on-farm research with the aim of improving sustainability and growth of specialty crop enterprises. Partners and audiences range from home gardeners and agriculture educators to commercial producers, large and small, across the rural-urban gradient.