STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA, US — A new Agronomy Discovery Center at Oklahoma State University (OSU) that will be created through upgrades to the existing Agronomy Research Station, home to one of the world’s top wheat breeding programs, has been jumpstarted with gifts of $5 million from Oklahoma Genetics Inc. and $1 million from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.

OSU said the two lead donations announced Aug. 9 will help launch a fundraising initiative as part of a multiphase upgrade process. Early priorities include constructing a new headhouse and 12 research greenhouses, which will become the birthplace of OSU’s new wheat lines.

“The work conducted at the Agronomy Research Station really matters, greatly affecting both producers and consumers throughout Oklahoma and beyond,” said Jayson Lusk, PhD, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. “We are doing state-of-the-art research, but we are doing it in antiquated facilities. The Agronomy Discovery Center will provide the infrastructure we need to compete in the modern era and achieve our mission of feeding the world.

“We are incredibly thankful to Oklahoma Genetics Inc. and the Oklahoma Wheat Commission for enabling us to begin the initial phase of this project.”

Plans also include a multipurpose Research and Education Center, featuring classrooms and laboratory spaces that can accommodate industry audiences. The building will house the lab spaces for the Wheat Quality Laboratory; Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory; and the Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory, where more than 65,000 samples are analyzed each year from farms, ranches and gardens across the state.

Throughout Oklahoma, where wheat is the No. 1 crop, 71% of all wheat acres planted are developed at OSU, including 36 varieties commercialized by the university since 2000. In Texas, 25% of named wheat varieties that are planted also originated at OSU.

“The Agronomy Research Station directly serves OSU’s land-grant mission, channeling research and education to empower farmers, enhance food security and foster sustainable practices,” said Kayse Shrum, president of OSU. “Through the Agronomy Discovery Center, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing agricultural innovation to serve our community and the world.”

In addition to the two lead gifts, the university has approved early funding for the Agronomy Discovery Center, and architectural planning is underway. Further private support will be sought to complete the transformation.