Ingredion contributes to Agricultural Learning Center

The Agricultural Learning Center at Northwest's R.T. Wright Farm is expected to open in July. The 29,000-square-foot multipurpose facility features laboratory, kitchen and exposition space as well as classrooms and offices to help the School of Agricultural Sciences meet the needs of enrollment and program growth. (Photo by Brandon Bland/Northwest Missouri State University)

Ingredion Inc., a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food and beverage manufacturing industry, has added its support to Northwest Missouri State University’s Agricultural Learning Center at the University’s R.T. Wright Farm, providing $25,000 toward the project.

“Agriculture plays a key role in identifying sustainable solutions to feed the growing global population,” said Mark Macrander, a Northwest alumnus and Ingredion’s director for specialty grain contracting and plant science. “Ingredion is pleased to support the Agricultural Learning Center to create a learning center for sharing ideas and best practices that will showcase the exceptional talent and capabilities of Northwest’s School of Agricultural Sciences helping future generations.”

Mitzi Marchant, Northwest’s vice president of university advancement and executive director of the Northwest Foundation, said, “As a graduate of Northwest’s School of Agricultural Sciences, Mark fully understands the immediate and long-term impact the Ag Learning Center will make at the R.T. Wright Farm. Mark was the key in securing this gift from Ingredion, and we can’t thank him enough for his continued support of Northwest and the ag program.”

The $11.4 million Agricultural Learning Center, a linchpin addition to the University’s R.T. Wright Farm, is expected to open in July. When finished, the 29,000-square-foot multipurpose facility will enhance the School of Agricultural Sciences and its curriculum by providing laboratory, kitchen and exposition space as well as classrooms and offices while helping the School meet the needs of enrollment and program growth.

The facility also will allow for research and scholarly activities centered on crop, soil and livestock resources as well as space for processing agricultural products. It will include space for public and private functions such as producer and agricultural industry meetings, workshops, shows and career development events. It will serve as a resource that enables innovation and partnerships while addressing best practices for the Northwest campus and agricultural sciences.

“Without the support of people in the industry and donors, the Agricultural Learning Center could not have been built,” Dr. Rod Barr, the director of the School of Agricultural Sciences, said. “We’re excited that we’re getting close to the completion of the facility, and it’s going to make a huge difference, not only for students in the School of Agricultural Sciences but for the community and the region. We’re grateful Ingredion is able to partner with us on the project.”

More than $6.5 million has been raised for the Agricultural Learning Center with leading support provided by nearly 50 public and private donors who have joined the University’s Homesteaders society by providing gifts toward the project of $25,000 or greater. Northwest also received $2.5 million from the state of Missouri as well as an equipment grant award of $343,000.

The University has committed more than $2 million to the project and additional funds raised will assist with outfitting the facility’s laboratories and classrooms with the most up-to-date equipment and technology.

For more information about the Agricultural Learning Center or to make a gift to support the project visit www.nwmissouri.edu/ag/agcenter, call 660.562.1248 or email advance@nwmissouri.edu.