In the last newsletter we reported that the Agronomy Education Center, to be built on the Agronomy Farm just north of the main K-State campus, was within reach. Much has happened since then and we are excited to announce that the project is moving ahead. We have an architect, the final design is set, drawings are complete and in review by the state, and we should be able to bid the project this summer. Fund raising has been somewhat successful but we are still in need of some resources, as explained at the end of this article.
What will the Agronomy Education Center look like?
The Center will have two classrooms, a large exhibit hall, restrooms, and a foyer. The classrooms would be equipped with the latest audio/visual technology. An instructor would have access to as good, or better technology there as they do on campus.
Figure 1. Final floor plan of the Agronomy Education Center.
Figure 2. Elevation view of the Agronomy Education Center.
Why is the Agronomy Education Center needed?
The Agronomy Farm has always had an educational mission, but the farm lacks a dedicated facility for such activities.
We are seeing more and more people using the Agronomy Farm through formal classes, workshops, visits and tours; over 3,000 per year. With large groups we must clean out the machinery shed and have no climate control, restrooms, or audio/visual setup. Imagine the improvement!
Students will greatly benefit from the Center. Many courses across agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology, and entomology already use the farm for various lab sections. Once the building is established, we would have the ability to teach on-site, with classroom and outdoor capabilities. It’s close enough to campus that instructors would have the ability to have a meaningful 2-hour lab class at the farm and still allow students to get back to campus in good time. We also host “Kid’s Field Day” each year and have 600 4th graders learn about the science in agriculture. Such activities are part of our Land Grant mission and are targeted at the ideal age for sparking an interest in science.
Producers and professionals working in agronomy would be two other groups that would benefit from the Center. We have annual workshops for crop consultants, industry professionals, extension agents, agricultural education teachers, and producers.
Your donation would be greatly appreciated
The estimated project costs will be funded by donations with loans to cover the difference. We currently have $1.25 million in hand with an estimated cost for construction of $1.5 million. Your contribution to this project would be greatly appreciated by all current and future Agronomy Department students and faculty. Additional donations would reduce the debt burden of the department and possibly allow us to add some nicer features to the building.
There is a special fund set up through the KSU Foundation for those interested in contributing. Donors of $10,000 or more will be recognized on a giving wall within the new building. Also, naming rights to the two classrooms, foyer, and exhibit hall are available to donors at certain increments.
If you would like to donate to the Agronomy Education Center, you can send a check to the following address:
KSU Foundation
1800 Kimball Ave, Suite 200
Manhattan, KS 66502-3373
Make the check out to the “KSU Foundation” and indicate the fund number. The fund number for the Agronomy Education Center fund is #O15831.
You can also donate online. The link below takes you the College of Agriculture giving link: https://give.evertrue.com/ksu/agriculture. Be sure to indicate the fund #O15831 in the special instructions field. You can use Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover with the online form.
The Agronomy Education Center will so enhance the Agronomy Farm and our academic and extension programs that we consider it to be essential to our future. Feel free to contact Mickey Ransom, Interim Head, Department of Agronomy (mdransom@ksu.edu) or Kim Schirer (785-532-7517, kims@found.ksu.edu) at the KSU Foundation if you want more information!