The Northeast Research Station was established in 1956. It is located approximately 15 miles north of Watertown at the junction of Highway 20 and old Highway 81, or 2 miles west of the I-29 South Shore exit. This station was originally one of several mobile units and intentions were to move to different locations every 6-10 years. However, for various reasons the station has remained in place and has increased in size from the original 20 acres to the current 86. Climatic conditions at the station are considerably different from those at the parent station in Brookings, 60 miles to the south. At the Northeast Station the growing season is shorter, nights are cooler, and precipitation is significantly less than at Brookings. These conditions afford researchers an opportunity to test adaptability of varieties and techniques to a much different climatic zone without excessive travel expenses. Other reasons for retention of the station include the remarkably uniform soils at this site. These uniform soils allow researchers to move to different areas on the station without having to contend with major differences in soil type.

The overall mission of this station is to provide an environment conducive to research and extension activities in the plant sciences. This station also provides an additional channel of communication between area crop producers and university personnel, and aids in providing agronomic information applicable to Northeastern South Dakota.