By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University (NDSU) is enhancing its role as a crucial player in the wheat industry with the introduction of two new research facilities. The newly dedicated Peltier Complex, along with the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory, marks a significant expansion in NDSU’s capabilities to support wheat production and research.
The Peltier Complex, located on Fargo campus, houses NDSU's food science, cereal science, meat science, and bioprocess engineering programs, along with facilities for the Northern Crops Institute, North Dakota Trade Office, and U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, aiming to transform wheat research in real-world scenarios.
“The Peltier Complex will be a facility unlike anything else we have ever constructed at NDSU,” said Greg Lardy, NDSU’s vice president for agricultural affairs.
Reflecting on the significance of these new facilities, USW Secretary-Treasurer Jim Pellman, a proud NDSU alumnus, emphasized, “The University’s impact on the wheat industry can grow with new laboratories and more space.”
The Bolley Agricultural Laboratory, named after one of NDSU’s pioneering faculty members, Henry L. Bolley, will focus on agricultural research programs such as plant pathology, plant breeding, and soil science. Situated on the western edge of the campus, it will provide a vital space for developing solutions to pressing agricultural challenges.
“Like Bolley, our scientists who will occupy this building will deliver research results that make a difference to those involved in agriculture in North Dakota,” remarked Lardy.
This facility is designed to foster innovations that improve crop varieties, combat plant diseases, and enhance soil health, contributing significantly to the sustainability of agricultural practices.
NDSU's facilities serve as educational hubs for international visitors, hosting bakers and millers from around the world, enhancing their understanding of the U.S. wheat industry's intricacies and showcasing its commitment to agricultural advancement.
With significant support from the Peltier family, commodity groups, alumni, and friends of NDSU, these projects are part of NDSU’s broader $455 million "In Our Hands" fundraising campaign.
As these new laboratories come online, they promise to bolster North Dakota's reputation as a leader in agricultural education and wheat research, ensuring the state remains at the forefront of global agricultural innovation.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Wheat