About the initiative

About the initiative

Driving new discovery and embracing next-generation learning requires interdisciplinary vision and facilities that offer collaborative spaces to enhance the problem-solving abilities of current and future workforces.

Campaign Progress

$210,000,000 Goal

88%

$186447620*

*State, philanthropic, and university total funds.

Investing in Agriculture

As Kansas State University leads the nation toward a next-generation land grant university, we must be nimble and adaptive to the world around us, meeting our learners and partners where they are and working alongside them to address their most pressing needs.

To accomplish this, the Agriculture Innovation Initiative fully embraces the idea of One K-State by instituting an interdisciplinary environment of dynamic innovation while cultivating trust and building relationships throughout the state, nation and world.

The facility upgrades and expansions will invest in grain, food, animal and agronomy research. This effort includes a 3:1 funding match for building facilities from the state of Kansas. In other words, since we raised $75 million in private gifts, the state of Kansas has awarded $25 million (plus another guaranteed $25 million).

These funds will be used to drive new discovery, knowledge, interdisciplinary connection and deployment of innovation. In turn, it catalyzes economic development, job creation nationwide, and resilience in the Colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.

The Agriculture Innovation Initiative will bring our resources and expertise together in a way that respects our unique structure and recognizes current and future challenges. To make it a reality will require the support of students, faculty, staff, alumni and industry partners and coming together to realize the vision of One K-State.

Timeline and milestones

State Funding Award Notification

Jan 2023

Agronomy Research and Innovation Center Groundbreaking

May 2023

Bilbrey Family Event Center Groundbreaking

Dec 2023

Weber Arena Demolition and Bilbrey Family Event Center Construction Begins

April 2024

Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation Groundbreaking

May 2024

Agronomy Research and Innovation Center Construction Begins

Sept 2024

GCGFI Construction Begins

Nov 2024

Agronomy Research and Innovation Center Completion/Occupancy

Fall 2025

Bilbrey Family Event Center Completion/Occupancy

Fall 2025

Weber and Call Hall Renovations Begin

Spring 2026

Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation Completion/Occupancy

Fall 2026

Weber and Call Hall Renovations Completion

Dec 2027

 

What people are saying
Kansas State has an opportunity to step forward and advance ag science in different and new ways that will bring collaboration together. The vision for what the buildings will be is a separator; it will deliver distinctiveness. To date, our facilities have served us well, but they're ending their useful lifespan, and now's the time for these new buildings. This timing coincides with the arrival of new university leadership and a new focus on interdisciplinary approaches to serving the university, the citizens, the industry, and the state of Kansas. The leadership focus and the timing are coming together perfectly to bring the Ag Innovation Initiative to fruition
Ernie Minton, Eldon Gideon Dean, College of Agriculture and Director, K-State Research and Extension
I encourage everyone to reach out to learn more about this project. It will take all of us to get it done, both with our financial support and by serving as advocates. It’s a game-changer for Kansas State, so I urge you to join us and get involved.
Mary Vanier, Donor of the Ag Innovation Initiative

Invitation to invest

Now is the time to invest — Kansas State University has an inspiring opportunity. To help the world’s ability to feed two billion more people by 2050. To contribute to a Kansas economy that thrives. To optimize agriculture for the highest levels of efficiency and yield. The sky’s the limit.

Give today