The William H. Darr Agricultural Center, located on a 125-acre site in southwest Springfield, is a unique and valuable asset that supports the department of agriculture's many and diverse programs. The Agriculture Research and Demonstration Center serves as a laboratory and field experience classroom for the study of livestock management, equine studies, horticulture, agronomy, animal science and wildlife conservation and management. An additional benefit of the center is that it provides agricultural/green space within the rapidly expanding Springfield metropolitan area. Coupled with nearby city and county parks, the center provides a valuable green space amenity.