Corteva Agriscience adds support to ag learning center, sponsors agronomy lab

The Agricultural Learning Center at Northwest's R.T. Wright Farm is nearing completion and is expected to open in July. (Photo by Brandon Bland/Northwest Missouri State University)

A widely recognized agriculture company committed to preserving food sources and helping agricultural communities thrive has added its support to Northwest Missouri State University’s Agricultural Learning Center at the University’s R.T. Wright Farm, providing $250,000 toward the project.

Because of Corteva Agriscience’s support, the new facility opening this summer will feature The Corteva Agriscience Agronomy Laboratory, which will offer plant science-based teaching and research activities to introduce students to new areas of plant science. The space will provide student researchers with opportunities to try climate-controlled plant growth experiments, plant tissue culture, metabolic assays, and genetic and transcriptomic analysis.

“The relationships we have built through the years with so many generous people at Corteva Agriscience have been incredibly rewarding – for both students as well as faculty,” said Mitzi Craft Marchant, vice president of university advancement and executive director of the Northwest Foundation. “We are excited to continue that relationship, knowing our entire community will benefit from the Agricultural Learning Center. To have the Corteva Agriscience name associated with this facility is quite an honor.”

Corteva Agriscience provides farmers throughout the world with resources to maximize yield and profitability, including recognized agriculture brands and crop protection products such as Pioneer and Brevant brand seeds and Granular digital solutions. The company works with stakeholders throughout the food system to enrich the lives of those who produce and consume. Corteva Agriscience, which was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, became an independent public company in 2019.

“Innovation and education are essential to develop sustainable ag solutions, which meet the needs of farmers and society for the future,” Nikki Hall, an area sales leader for Corteva Agriscience, said. “We are excited and honored to join with Northwest to create a learning laboratory that will inspire students today to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

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.

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/ForeverGreen/AgCenter/support.htm, call 660.562.1248 or email advance@nwmissouri.edu.