By Brandi Herman
The Kansas State University Department of Agronomy is excited to announce the proposal of an Education Center to be built on the Agronomy Farm just north of the main K-State campus.
“The Agronomy Farm has always had an educational mission, but education has not been well served in terms of facilities,” says Gary Pierzynski, Agronomy Department Head.
“We’re seeing more and more people using the farm through formal classes, workshops, visits and tours. Three thousand plus people every year use the farm for educational purposes alone; yet we don’t have any facilities for them. If we have large groups then we have to clean out the machinery shed. We have no climate control, restrooms or audio/visual setup.”
The proposed building would have two classrooms, a foyer, a food service area, restrooms and a large exhibit hall. 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,” says Pierzynski.
In the long run, the students will be the primary beneficiaries. There are quite a few courses across agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology and entomology that already use the farm for various lab sections. Once the building is established, they 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.
This project in its entirety will be made possible through private donations. The estimated cost of the proposed building is $2.5 million. There is a 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, exhibit hall and the entire building are available to donors at certain increments.
K-State has recently updated its master plan for the campus and intends on keeping the land north of Kimball Avenue in use for teaching, research and extension purposes.
“We’re very comfortable making this investment,” says Pierzynski. “We’re going to continue to have access to the Agronomy Farm with that proximity that is so valuable to us. Many of the land grant universities, particularly those in large urban environments, have lost that. It’s recognized in our master plan that having access to a farm for teaching, research and extension is an asset to the University.”
“I think the proposed education center facility will so enhance the Agronomy Farm, along with our academic and extension programs, that it’s essential to our future,” says Pierzynski.
Those who would like to make a donation can make their checks out to the KSU Foundation and indicate fund number D15831. Donations can be sent to:
KSU Foundation
2323 Anderson Ave, Ste. 500
Manhattan, KS 66502-2911
You can also donate online. The link below takes you directly to a KSU Foundation donation form specific to the Agronomy Education Center:
www.found.ksu.edu/give/agronomy-center
You can use Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover with the online form. Most people use the “Proceed as Guest” option with the online donation form, but you can also sign up as a Registered Donor.
Thank you for any donations you’d like to make. This modern facility situated directly on the North Agronomy Farm will benefit students, practicing agronomists, and visitors for many years to come!
