UNDER CONSTRUCTION – KSU – Agronomy Research and Innovation Center

The expansive site includes twelve grain bins, two fuel tanks, two storage facilities and three research buildings. Each structure plays a critical role in providing for the operational needs of the farm while creating an environment ripe for research. The Agronomy Innovation Center is a facility dedicated to fostering transdisciplinary research. It supports initiatives like the Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics (ID3A) and encourages collaboration with industry partners. The center features a visualization lab, science-on-display innovation labs, data analysis workspaces, a farm observation deck, three conference rooms, and a breakroom/student gathering area. The Agronomy Research Center South is designed to support discovery in soil science, environmental science, weed science, and precision agriculture. It includes shared facilities for climate-controlled soil sample storage, plant and soil drying, fertilizer research, pesticide research, and roots research. The Agronomy Research Center North focuses on advancing research in plant breeding, plant genetics, crop physiology, range science, and cropping systems. It offers shared facilities for climate-controlled seed storage, plant threshing, plant sample preparation, and soil sample preparation.

The Agronomy Research and Innovation Center is a cornerstone of the college’s mission to strengthen and diversify agribusiness in Kansas and across the globe. As a flagship facility, it is designed to drive forward-thinking advancements in crop production, agronomic practices, and emerging agricultural technologies. Through its focus on sustainability, conservation, and hands-on training, the center will play a key role in preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders and strengthening public-private collaboration. What sets this facility apart is not only its mission, but also the caliber of its resources. From discussions with the design and owner teams, it’s clear that some of the equipment planned for installation is almost one of a kind, found in only a handful of facilities across the United States. This rare and specialized technology will position the center as a national leader in agronomic research, innovation, and applied science.