SIOUX FALLS – Raven Industries was recognized Wednesday in the naming of South Dakota State University’s future precision agriculture facility. 

The Raven Precision Agriculture Center, to be located on the university’s main campus in Brookings, will lead the nation in precision agriculture education, research and extension. Raven Industries gave $5 million to the project in January. Wednesday, the South Dakota Board of Regents approved the facility’s name.

The Raven Precision Agriculture Center will bring agronomy, engineering and computer science disciplines under one roof, where students and faculty can collaborate, conduct research and innovate.

“The need for advanced technology and solutions within the precision agriculture industry is growing,” said Dan Rykhus, president and CEO of Raven Industries, “as is the need for highly-engaged and skilled workforce. The Raven Precision Agriculture Center was designed to have a long-lasting impact on innovation and technology within the industry, and we are honored to have this exceptional facility named after our company.”

“The new Raven Precision Agriculture Center will support our students pursuing the first four-year degree in precision agriculture in the country,” said John Killefer, dean of SDSU’s College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. “We appreciate the partnerships we have with Raven and others which make it possible for our students to learn the skills that will help them make a positive impact on the world.

“The new Raven Precision Agriculture Center will be transformational with regard to our ability to lead the nation in teaching, research and outreach in all areas impacted by the benefits of precision agriculture,” Killefer added. “Students who are trained in this new facility will provide a workforce that will be uniquely qualified and ready to provide value within the agriculture industry. We fully believe this state-of-the-art facility will lead to the development of new technologies and industry partnerships that will resonate in the agricultural industry for generations to come.”

State lawmakers approved the project this year. The roughly $55 million project includes building a precision agriculture classroom and laboratory, with renovations to an existing building expected later.

A construction timeline for the project has not yet been set.

Courtesy image: An architectural rendering of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. The S.D. Board of Regents approved its name Wednesday.