Michigan State University’s Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education will be renamed the Farm Bureau Pavilion at Michigan State University through a branding agreement between the university and the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies.

Under terms of the branding agreement, Michigan Farm Bureau has committed to invest in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ (CANR) priority fund to support construction, renovations, improvements and other related costs of facilities used by the college.

Retiring MFB President Carl Bednarski says the agreement formalizes a legacy of the organization’s support of the nation’s first land-grant institution. The organization led the $67 million MSU Livestock Initiative in 1989 to renovate and expand campus livestock facilities, including the livestock pavilion constructed in 1996.

“It only seems fitting that Farm Bureau, once again, strategically invests in the future of Michigan’s agricultural industry,” Bednarski says. “As the nation’s premier land-grant university, MSU's focus has always been on research and delivery of cutting-edge technology to help producers successfully grow Michigan agriculture, which directly benefits our state’s rural economy.”

Since its inception, Bednarski says Farm Bureau has been tied to MSU, noting the organization was founded on the campus of Michigan Agricultural College in February 1919, before it became Michigan State University.

The branding agreement will help fund modernization and expansion of the high-traffic pavilion, including an additional indoor arena to allow for concurrent events and expanded exhibition space, says Matt Daum, CANR interim dean.

The pavilion accommodates more than 100 livestock and commercial shows annually, showcasing Michigan agriculture to more than 92,000 people, while contributing an estimated $5 million to the local economy. Once complete, the expanded facility is expected to have a direct economic impact of $7.2 million annually. 

“Michigan Farm Bureau and CANR have collaborated for generations: as educators of agricultural leaders, as problem-solvers for Michigan’s farmers through MSU AgBioResearch and as in-the-field outreach providers through MSU Extension, and we are excited that MSU’s own agricultural exhibition center will bear the Farm Bureau name,” Daum says.

Source: MFB