USU gets new agriculture facility
The Utah State Legislature has funded the construction of numerous agricultural learning centers for USU students located in Wellsville. The centers are mostly for animal studies such as breeding, medicine and genetic research.
Noelle Cockett, dean of the College of Agriculture said, “I think the reason the legislature provided the funding for most of this is because they wanted to continue our legacy and agriculture here at Utah State University.”
The most recently constructed building is the Matthew Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center. The building was built completely for the purpose of animal studies. The center is split up into different sections, each having their own purpose. There are areas for animal living, classrooms and state of the art research labs.
Cockett said she is very excited about the future this center holds. She feels it will help greatly with the agricultural department and their research. Cockett said some students will be studying under the instruction and research of Ken White, who helped to create the first cloned mule.
“It’s very very high tech,” Cockett said. “It’s a research and teaching facility focused on animal reproduction, genetics and health, so it has to be.”
Every classroom is set up in a great way for students, Cockett said. There are individual microscopes and many other researching tools for each student to use. She said tools like these could be used to help student’s research and maybe even help cure animal diseases, deformities and other health issues.
Cockett said this building was not the end in this expansion of agricultural learning centers. She said the department is currently working on the construction of another new building right next to the research facility. This building will be used for more animal storage and student classrooms, in order to do more research and studying. Cockett said the College of Agriculture has done numerous fundraising and raised almost a million dollars for this new building.
When asked about why the location of Wellsville was chosen, Cockett said it is a slow process of what they would like to see in the future. Cockett said that process is trying to transfer all animal related facilities in the area to where the new building is located, and keeping all strictly research related buildings on the north side of Cache County. She said there are already animal facilities on the north side of Logan, but right now they are slowly trying to move everything over to the new area.
Cockett also said she is encouraging all students to get involved with agricultural science and even to go look at the new facility. She said this facility is for students, and she wants them to feel comfortable with it and get excited about it.
“I want students to see how beautiful the facility is,” Cockett said, ” and it’s surrounded by beautiful views of the area. My favorite view is when you’re coming from Wellsville into Logan. You can see the front of the facility right from the road and capture how beautiful it is.”
Sam Urie, junior in agricultural education, said he is very excited about the new research facility. He thinks it is important for everyone to realize how crucial agriculture research is.
“I think it’s sweet that they’re finally investing money in what’s most important in our civilization, which is agriculture,” Urie said.
Cockett said classes for students in the facility will start in spring semester. She said she knows students are excited, and she only hopes to see more growth in the amazing agricultural learning that takes place at USU.
–nicholas.peterson@aggiemail.usu.edu