From the Ground Up: MSU Agricultural Innovation Hub

Owner: Missouri State University
General contractor: Crossland Construction Co. Inc.
Architect: nForm Architecture LLC
Engineers: CJW Transportation Consultants LLC, civil; RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, structural; and Interpres Building Solutions LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 8,500 square feet
Cost: $4.1 million
Funding sources: State of Missouri American Rescue Plan Act funds, private donations, President’s Program Enhancement fund, college and university allocations
Estimated completion: Dec. 1
Description: The Missouri State University Agricultural Innovation Hub is an 8,500-square-foot building now nearing completion at the Darr Agricultural Center campus. It will include a 3,800-square-foot high-bay shop space with overhead doors, tool storage, welding stations and a woodworking area. The building will also include classrooms, collaboration spaces, restrooms and storage. The state of Missouri dedicated $2 million in ARPA funds set aside for university projects focused on innovation in agriculture. MSU plans to offer new educational and research opportunities to faculty and students using cutting-edge agricultural technology, according to the university’s 2022 announcement of the award, which added that agriculture education majors will be able to learn new, advanced technologies and teach them to high school students in the space.