Raven Precision Agriculture Center: Growing Progress in the Field

After pioneering the first precision agriculture degree in the nation, constructing a state-of-the-art facility was the next step in putting SDSU's precision ag program on the map.

Scroll

South Dakota State University made history when it boldly pioneered the first precision agriculture degree in the nation.

After such a game-changing innovation, constructing a state-of-the-art facility was the next step in putting the precision ag program on the map.

A center for collaboration

The Raven Precision Agriculture Center was designed with collaboration in mind, combining agronomy, engineering, and computer science into one groundbreaking program.

The 35,000 square foot facility serves as a teaching and research hub for students, faculty, farmers, and industry leaders.

The center is home to classrooms, casual studying areas, conference rooms, and offices clustered throughout the building to maximize interaction between students and staff.

This innovative ecosystem will positively impact the future of SDSU, the state, and the region beyond.

“Our students, now and in the future, who walk the halls of this building, will go on to create new businesses, lead organizations, and conduct research that will forever change the way we grow, harvest, and deliver the world’s food,” said President Barry Dunn at a grand opening ceremony on September 11.

Precision agriculture major Rosalyn Madsen is one of the students who will help to build the legacy of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. A native of Franklin, MN, Madsen predicts a vast horizon of opportunities made available for students like her.

With the opening of this new facility, we as students will be able to expand our network to those outside of our areas of study. This new building offers advanced opportunities for us, as well as faculty, to enhance our knowledge in areas of production agriculture, and allows room for growth as technologies constantly advance and change.

Rosalyn Madsen

Students collaborating in a lab setting within the Raven Precision Agriculture Center.

Students and a professor standing around a red tractor in one of the large open bays within the Raven Precision Agriculture Center

Two students and a professor having a discussion while sitting in a collaboration space within the Raven Precision Agriculture Center.

Through educational and hands-on experiences, the center aims to grow future leaders and foster workforce development. The premier learning environment will promote top-tier educational advancements, preparing the next generation of growers and thinkers while providing an ideal location to connect leaders in the field.

Leaders in the field served as the catalyst for the creation of such a facility. The $46 million building was the result of tireless advocacy from university leadership, local industry members, and countless supporters who envisioned an environment where SDSU could transform agriculture from the ground up.