Agriculture experiment stations in Oklahoma, along with our counter parts across the nation, are currently facing encroachment issues. At the time the research stations were established, encroachment was not an issue. Many of the facilities were established in rural areas of the state but increased population, urban sprawl, highway development, unauthorized removal of crops and produce, and people simply looking for “green space” have created an unfortunate “squeeze” on the daily operations our experiment stations. Out of 17 locations across the state of Oklahoma, 9 experiment stations are currently facing encroachment issues. Because the experiment stations are in the public's eye we are perceived to have an obligation to be good stewards in the community and help to facilitate growth. The mission of the agriculture experiment station is to maintain the United States as one the most effective and efficient producers of food and fiber in the world. Balancing these two issues is a very difficult task. Solutions to many of the problems may be as simple as a meeting with the group or organization to discuss the importance of the ongoing activities and enlightening them on the research being conducted on the land in question. In other situations, it may require that the experiment station take a very staunch approach to the situation and defend the “fort”. Issues such as buildings, facilities, and land being on the historical registry, research involving million dollar grants, and an opportunity to explain how the research being conducted on the station benefits the public can all be deterrents to encroachment. t is inevitable that experiment stations currently experiencing encroachment will continue to face these issues and those not affected will encounter this dilemma in the near future.