By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University (NDSU) will celebrate the opening of the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory with a public ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The event will take place at 1650 18th Street North and welcomes faculty, staff, students, elected officials, community members, and visitors.
The ceremony is free and open to everyone, and no registration is required. Visitors can park in the BL parking lot and will also have the opportunity to join guided tours after the dedication. These tours will showcase the modern laboratories, classrooms, and collaborative spaces that will support agricultural research, education, and hands-on learning for many years.
The Bolley Agricultural Laboratory becomes one of NDSU’s newest research facilities after receiving an $87 million investment from the North Dakota Legislature in 2023, along with $3.6 million in philanthropic support. The new building strengthens the university’s commitment to advancing agriculture through research, innovation, and workforce development.
The laboratory will serve as a center for scientific research across several important agricultural fields. Faculty, students, and researchers will work on projects involving plant pathology, plant breeding, agronomy, soil science, weed science, and horticulture. These programs support North Dakota’s agricultural industry by developing new knowledge, improving crop production, and addressing future farming challenges.
The facility is named in honor of Henry L. Bolley, one of the first faculty members at North Dakota Agricultural College, now known as NDSU. Bolley served as the first plant pathologist at the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and also founded and coached the university’s football team. During his career from 1890 to 1945, he contributed to agricultural education while serving as the state's seed commissioner from 1909 to 1929.
Located on the western edge of campus, the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory overlooks nearby research plots and replaces several aging field laboratory buildings that were constructed decades ago.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Crops