One soil series, Wasco sandy loam, is dominant. Water is provided by the Shafter-Wasco Irrigation district or a deep water well on the property. The 14 USDA-ARS researchers and staff represent agricultural sciences, biological sciences, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural engineering, and plant physiology. Part-time and summer help are hired as needed. The Center's main office complex houses a small library, a meeting room, and office space for staff and researchers.
Adjacent buildings house additional office space, laboratories, a cotton gin, and storage space.
Greenhouse facilities include a lathe house and six greenhouses with associated head houses. Warehouses and mechanical, welding, and woodshops provide support for maintaining, constructing, and modifying facilities and equipment for research purposes. An unfurnished house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is available to visiting researchers, technicians, and students. The Kern County Deputy Agriculture Commissioner maintains an office at the center in another historic building. In addition to supporting a diverse mix of ongoing research projects, SREC is often the site of field trips, workshops, tours, and hands-on learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from UC campuses, primary and secondary schools and elsewhere.