Caldwell Field Research Center
The Caldwell Field Research Complex is
just east of the Cornell Vet School and is the center of operations
for field research conducted at Crop & Soil Science Farms.
The soil here is Williamson fine sandy loams deposited as glacial
till; unique to this research site as compared to other Cornell
farms. The area provides 10 acres within walking distance of central
campus for educational demonstrations and research. This area
includes a complex of buildings providing space and equipment
for handling supplies and harvested material from any type of
field research; state-of-the-art pesticide mixing, handling and
storage facilities; mechanical shop facilities sufficient to perform
almost any equipment repair or modification; drying ovens for
plant material; and a full-time staff to complete farming and
maintenance operations and assist all projects in completing field
operations.
Background history:
1903: Land acquired and named after George C. Caldwell, the first
full-time professor hired by Cornell University.
1956-57: Purchased a building left at the Sampson Naval base on
Seneca Lake. The building became known as the "Gun Shed:
with a greenhouse being added shortly after.
1967: Gun Shed destroyed by fire resulting in the loss of invaluable
records, equipment and reference soil samples.
1969-70: Current fieldhouse, herbicide laboratory and adjoining
greenhouse were built and named after Emmons W. Leland, the supervisor
of Agronomy field experiments for 46 years, and Walter C. Muenscher,
faculty on weed research for 38 years.
