NDSU breaks ground of new agricultural complex
North Dakota State University broke ground on a new Agriculture and Extension facility, the Peltier Complex. State officials along with the Peltier Family met as a way to welcome the new developments in North Dakota agriculture. The building will bring new advancements to NDSU and farmers around the state and nation.
The new complex is going to make an impact on the citizens of North Dakota for generations to come, said Gov. Doug Burgum.
According to NDSU, “The Peltier Complex will join NDSU’s food science, meat science and cereal science laboratories along with the Northern Crops Institute.”
The North Dakota Legislature granted money to build the complex. According to NDSU, “The North Dakota Legislature approved $70 million for the completion of the facility and authorized an additional $15 million in fundraising.” At the groundbreaking North Dakota Sen. Ronald Sorvaag, Sen. Rich Wardner, Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S Sen. John Hoeven were in attendance.
“When that facility is built, it’s the Legacy Fund at work,” said Sen. Rich Wardner.
The Peltier complex will be bringing together NDSU’s top researchers, top students, the Northern crops institute, the North Dakota trade office and functions of the United States Department of Agriculture in one place, said NDSU President Dean Bresciani.
The Complex will allow NDSU students and staff to work closely with the nation’s agricultural producers and consumers. It will also provide learning opportunities for students to work closely with other producers and researchers. “Will really add additional power to the incredible position that NDSU has [in the nation’s agriculture],” said Gov. Doug Burgum.
Graduate Student Ana Magallanes López is an NDSU Department of Plant Sciences graduate student. “In order to continue our legacy, we need a space that is not only enhancive for faculty and staff, but also us, as the student, to continue with cutting-edge research,” said Magallanes López. She stated that students will benefit from hands-on experience that the Peltier Complex will bring. With the new facility, students in the food, cereal and meat science will have more opportunities.
The complex will enhance product development, research agricultural sustainability, food waste and food insecurity.
“This will create new learning and research opportunities for our students as well,” said Eric Berg, professor of Animal Science at NDSU. “Students will be exposed to some really awesome career opportunities and at the same time, the industry is going to meet their future employees,” he said.
The Complex is named after the Peltier family, who have been an integral part of NDSU’s history. Petier’s late relative, Jessamine Slaughter, was the first female student at North Dakota Agricultural College, and eventually married Joseph Burgum. Burgum Hall is named after her. She is also the great-grandmother of North Dakota Governor, Doug Burgum. The Peltiers have had credentials in the agriculture industry in North Dakota. The Peltier’s made leadership philanthropic gifts to support the private fundraising portion of the project.
The 16,500 square foot building will be a building not only for NDSU but will be used by the whole state as an agricultural facility. The building is planned to begin construction in spring of 2022 and will take approximately 20 to 24 months to complete, according to NDSU. The building will be located on the west side of campus across from the Wellness Center.
“To bring all of that together in this type of operation is truly visionary. And it is my opinion that nobody does ag research and extension better than North Dakota State University in the country,” said Sen. John Hoeven.