About WCIRM
Our Mission
To improve the sustainability and profitability of forage-based agriculture and natural resource systems through integrated and innovative multidisplinary research and education programs.
About Us
Modern agricultural production and land resource management requires sustainability, profitability and innovation. Today’s successful resource manager must critically evaluate how food production, recreation, urban development, water, wildlife, human, and financial resources affect sustainability of the land. To train these future managers, Colorado State University created the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management. The long term goal of the Western Center is to “improve the competitive position and sustainability of independent livestock producers and the economic and environmental health of rural communities.”
What is Integrated Resource Management (IRM)?
A decision-making and management process that is based on a holistic approach to evaluation and management of agricultural enterprises.
Why is Integrated Resource Management necessary?
- Changes in rural America require that today’s agricultural manager must have the ability to manage land, animal, human and natural resources to insure long term profitability and subsequent sustainability of farms, ranches and rural communities
- Society is demanding the preservation of open space.
- Sustainability of agricultural lands is a key component.
- Outdoor recreation has become a societal requirement in many urban areas
- Preservation of agricultural land is vital for food security, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation as well as sustaining the rural heritage of families and communities.
- Absentee land owners and conservation trusts that are acquiring large parcels of land that will require skilled land resources managers in the future.
- The best and brightest young people are not choosing careers in agriculture. They must be educated as to the opportunities and challenges in this career option.
- Because of the extreme economic conditions affecting American agriculture, it is a time of unprecedented educational opportunity.
How do the programs of the Western Center address the needs of Agriculture?
- Future managers are taught to manage land, animal, financial and human resources from a holistic approach to assure long-term profitability and sustainability.
- Future managers are taught how to effectively communicate through writing, speaking, questioning, and listening and to function effectively as both a team member and team leader.
- Future managers are taught how to understand the domestic and international scope of agriculture and develop an effective network of professional contacts through on-site management experiences.
- The IRM graduate program will provide the managers for absentee land owners and conservation trusts to ensure good management of these large tracts of land.
- The IRM program is committed to the education of bright young people with an agriculture interest for rewarding careers in numerous management positions and to serve as future leaders for the ever-changing agriculture industry.
- The educational programs of the Western Center begin by introducing high school students to integrated resource management with an interactive CD based curricular aid.
- At the undergraduate level, we expose students to outstanding managers who routinely make decisions based on an integrated management philosophy which effect utilization of land, animal, financial and human resources.
- The IRM program provides a unique graduate program that provides in-depth training for a select number of outstanding students and provides them opportunities to learn in “real life” situations. To date, suitable management positions have been obtained by all graduates.
