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MSU digs into new ag research facilities

Work has started on Michigan State University’s largest agricultural research facility upgrades on campus in more than 40 years.

MSU AgBioResearch Director George Smith tells Brownfield, “An underlying goal here is to get more students interested in in careers in animal agriculture and with more interest, provide more opportunities.”

A new $75 million Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center will include a visitor’s center which Smith says will better connect students and the surrounding community to animal agriculture.

Construction of the new barns, milking parlors, research labs, and teaching space is expected to be complete by the fall of 2025.

Smith says the university’s Plant Science Greenhouse improvements are just the first phase of needed renovations.

“We’re not satisfied with just improving 50 percent of the space so we’re working on raising money ultimately to be able to upgrade all the space we have to make sure our plant scientists have the tools they need to solve the challenges of the future.”

The $35 million project includes upgrading to controlled environment growing technology, energy efficient lighting, and a new headhouse for research opening in early 2026.

Smith says greenhouse improvements will directly or indirectly impact most commodities grown in the state when completed.

AUDIO: George Smith, MSU AgBioResearch

Photo courtesy of MSU.