The initial purpose for the San Joaquin Experimental Range was to learn how to better manage these lands and investigate resource and animal husbandry problems associated with maintaining a commercial cattle herd on a year-round basis on the foothill rangelands.

The San Joaquin is managed cooperatively by the Pacific Southwest Research Station of the United States Forest Service and California State University's Agricultural Foundation, primarily for research and education.

Parts of the range have served as a Research Natural Area, protected from fire and ungrazed by domestic livestock since 1934.

A cowherd and facilities at the experimental range also provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience in the commercial cattle industry.

[3] The range's administration is located at San Joaquin Experimental Range USDA Forest Service Sierra Nevada Research Center 2081 East Sierra Avenue Fresno, CA 93710 A research center and lab is located at San Joaquin Experimental Range California State University-Fresno School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology 2385 East Barstow Avenue Fresno, CA 93740 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Forest Service.