The Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, commonly referred to as Waterman, has been a priceless educational resource in agriculture and agricultural best management practices for almost 100 years.
The farm was originally owned by Joseph Waterman, a prominent and well-respected pioneer and agricultural figure in Franklin County, Ohio. Anna M. Waterman, Joseph's widow, titled the property on to The Ohio State University on July 2, 1923. Since that original transfer, four smaller parcels have been added to the site bringing the total acreage to its current 261 acres.
Waterman programs have exposed thousands of people to the fundamentals of agriculture, indiscriminate of age or experience.
Professional investigators conduct research on Waterman in efforts to alleviate the most high priority concerns facing agriculture today.
Waterman's agronomy research projects, community and nutrition education gardens, dairy facility, entomology lab, turfgrass facility, and forested woodlot demonstrate hands-on experiential learning and education to everyone who stops by.
Waterman is home to a multitude of college-credit courses encompassing agronomy, veterinary science, equipment operations, weed science, and turfgrass management. In addition to hosting agriculture conferences and instructional programs, Waterman also helps facilitate educational field trips and visitors are often treated to guided wagon tours of the facilities.
Overall, Waterman is a showcase and hub of experiential learning and innovative discovery in the areas of food, agricultural, and environmental sciences, where people build community and connect to trusted information.