North Dakota State University gained unanimous approval from the State Board of Higher Education to move forward with a $60 million agricultural development products center. This action allows NDSU to begin raising private money, but the North Dakota Legislature has the final say. The proposed center would replace Harris Hall, which houses cereal and food sciences, and the meats lab at Shepperd Arena. With advancements in farming technology and practices, NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources Dean Ken Grafton says “maintenance on the current facilities is difficult to achieve.” Bringing the meat and food science components together under one roof would increase efficiencies. Grafton says it could also generate new opportunities in agriculture, including value-added products for North Dakota. “It’s several world class scientists working on meat quality, muscle physiology, food safety and more. It’d be beneficial from not only a research perspective, but also a teaching and educational perspective from the students.” NDSU has proposed to raise $6 million from donors and seek legislative approval for $54 million in appropriations.
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