Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Blackland Research and Extension Center (BREC), a part of the Texas A&M System, is improving the lives of people in Central Texas and throughout the world. Scientists at the center are improving the region’s water and soil quality by conducting research and developing new technologies enabling improved decisions regarding land and water management practices.

Created in 1909, BREC is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research (formerly Texas Agricultural Experiment Station), the state research agency affiliated with the Texas A&M System. One of 13 off-campus research and extension centers that, along with Texas A&M University faculty, performs research and delivers education programs for the citizens of Texas to ensure a safe and affordable food supply; save and restore the environment; and strengthen the economy. BREC shares research facilities with the Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory (GSWRL) of the USDA/Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Texas AgriLife Research and ARS scientists have worked cooperatively in Temple for over 80 years. BREC research programs also include scientists from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who are co-located at GSWRL with ARS. The synergism between Blackland and Grassland scientists is a principal reason for the success of the Temple laboratory. Research programs from both agencies are closely linked and scientists leverage shared resources and capitalize on the strengths of one another.