The University of Minnesota plans to build a $220 million agricultural research complex in Mower County.

The complex, known as the Future of Advanced Agricultural Research in Minnesota, involves collaboration with Riverland Community College and The Hormel Foundation.

FAARM would serve as a state-of-the-art teaching and research hub to further establish Minnesota’s position as a global leader in food and agriculture innovation, according to the university.

The public-private partnership would include world-class facilities, as well as several hundred acres of fields and land to create an agriculture complex driven by a “one health” approach. The approach would study every aspect of cattle, swine and poultry — from the crops used to feed them, to the intersection of human and animal health, to the interactions of animals on soil health, water quality and climate.

“The challenges to feed a growing population while reducing the environmental footprint of farming are critical as our climate continues to change and we pursue scientific solutions to adapt,” says Brian Buhr, dean of the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. “This complex will allow us to be at the forefront of emerging food and agriculture education and research that will transform how we produce food and protect the environment at every step of the supply chain.”

Working on solutions

FAARM supporters say the investment will deliver practical solutions for today and forward-looking ideas for tomorrow with the help of cutting-edge technology and tools, including predictive analytics, big data, robotics and artificial intelligence. Educating students on these modern approaches to agriculture will ensure a continued talent pipeline is prepared to become Minnesota’s next generation of tech-savvy food and agriculture professionals.

Through a collaboration with Riverland Community College in Austin, FAARM also envisions providing a range of educational offerings for all ages — K-12, post-secondary technical and associate degrees, baccalaureate and graduate degrees, and outreach education to the broader public. The collaboration will foster job development and training opportunities in the food and agriculture sector, as well as nurture market entrepreneurs.

Adenuga Atewologun, president of Riverland Community College, notes the importance of agriculture in south-central Minnesota. “Riverland serves a key role preparing the region’s farmers to be successful, and I look forward to partnering with the University of Minnesota for the future benefit of the citizens and farmers of our region,” he says.

The project is estimated take five years. Its funding proposal is part of the university’s state legislative request for the 2022 legislative session. The university is asking for $60 million through a state capital request for planning, land acquisition, predesign and design of the initial phase. The university anticipates additional funding from various public and private sources, including a pledged cornerstone commitment of $60 million already made by The Hormel Foundation.

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