The north central research extension center must be located in or near Minot in Ward County. The center shall conduct research designed to increase productivity of all agricultural products of the soil while maintaining or improving the soil resource base in the agricultural region of north central North Dakota by:

1.    The identification of adapted crop species and superior crop cultivars; 2.    Propagation and distribution of selected seed stocks; and

3.    Development of profitable cropping systems which achieve the necessary balance between profitability and conservation of all natural resources.