Alfalfa, Corn, Crops, Forage Crops, Grain Sorghum, Lacey Vilhauer, Oklahoma, Soybeans, Wheat

$6 million gift jumpstarts OSU Agronomy Research Station renovations

By Lacey Vilhauer

The Oklahoma State University Agronomy Research Station is set to receive major renovations after a combined $6 million gift was allocated toward improving the facilities. OSU has outlined a multi-phased plan to revamp the research station and build the Agronomy Discovery Center.

The Agronomy Research Station is home to one of the top wheat breeding programs in the world, and two agricultural organizations made the initial donations to get the renovations underway. Oklahoma Genetics Inc. donated $5 million, and the Oklahoma Wheat Commission contributed $1 million to launch the planning process and open the door for more donations.

“The work conducted at the Agronomy Research Station really matters, greatly affecting both producers and consumers throughout Oklahoma and beyond,” said Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of the OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture. “We are doing state-of-the-art research, but we are doing it in antiquated facilities. The Agronomy Discovery Center will provide the infrastructure we need to compete in the modern era and achieve our mission of feeding the world. We are incredibly thankful to Oklahoma Genetics Inc. and the Oklahoma Wheat Commission for enabling us to begin the initial phase of this project.”

According to OSU, some of the highlights of the renovations will be a new headhouse, 12 research greenhouses and a multipurpose research and education center. The research and education center will include classrooms and laboratories and will house the lab spaces for the Wheat Quality Laboratory; Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory; and the Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory.

“The Agronomy Research Station directly serves OSU’s land-grant mission, channeling research and education to empower farmers, enhance food security and foster sustainable practices,” OSU President Kayse Shrum said. “Through the Agronomy Discovery Center, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing agricultural innovation to serve our community and the world.”

Although the project has received the initial $6 million gift, more funding will be needed to complete the transformation. For more information on how to donate to the Agronomy Discovery Center, contact Megan Smith at 405-747-1977 or [email protected].

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].

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