The Sweet Potato Research Station is located on 300 acres in northeast Louisiana near Chase. It is the only facility of its kind devoted solely to sweet potato research. The new varieties developed there are among the most popular in the world. An important function of the station is producing virus-free foundation seed that farmers can plant to keep their crops healthy and sustain the industry. These efforts, along with research on production practices and pest control, help keep sweet potatoes among the most profitable crops to grow. The industry is expanding because of a new processing facility in Delhi.