About the Manhattan Plant Materials Center

Updated 08/01/2008

Description of the PMC Service Area

The Manhattan Plant Materials Center in Manhattan, Kansas serves a diverse region of the heartland including Kansas, Nebraska, northern Oklahoma and eastern Colorado. This area of the country was originally native grasslands dissected by a number of major streams.  Wooded riparian areas follow the streams and extend up the slopes in the east where precipitation is sufficient to support a mixed hardwood community. Annual amounts of precipitation can vary from 42 inches in parts of Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas to 14 inches in western Kansas and Nebraska. Temperatures fluctuate widely and are often accompanied by high winds and long periods without effective precipitation. Soil types also vary widely from the clays of northeastern Oklahoma to the coarse sandy soils found in the Nebraska sand hills. The extremes of climate and soil offer a challenging and varied environment in which conservation plants must survive and flourish to be effective. Today, this region’s land use is largely devoted to agriculture. The production of food and fiber is the leading industry in the heartland.

Getting to the Manhattan Plant Materials Center in Manhattan, Kansas

From Manhattan: From Ft. Riley Blvd. or Tuttle Creek Blvd. (east side of Manhattan by Manhattan Town Center Mall) cross the Kansas River Bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn right on Riley Co. 901-McDowell Creek Rd. Travel 6.0 miles, turn right on Riley Co.424. Follow Riley Co. 424, 3 miles north and 1 mile west to the PMC. (See map provided below.)

From I-70: Going east turn left or going west turn right to Exit 307 -McDowell Creek Road Interchange. On Riley Co. 901- McDowell Creek Rd., travel 3.6 miles to west 40th Avenue, turn left, travel 3 miles north to PMC. (See map provided below.)

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