In Jun. 1960, the U.S. Congress passed an appropriations bill that included funding for a Federal Insect Laboratory in Brookings South Dakota – Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory, now known as the North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory (NCARL). The appropriation, sponsored by the late Karl Mundt, Senator from South Dakota, was in response to continued insect infestation problems faced by grain farmers in the north central region of the U.S.

The Mission of the NCARL is to develop, evaluate, and transfer sustainable production and bioprocessing systems that enhance environmental quality and provide profitability for agriculture with emphasis on integrated pest and crop management and agricultural product development.