LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Davis College of Agriculture received a grant of more than $28 million from the USDA to establish a new building on Texas Tech’s campus focused on food safety.
Plans for the space
Dr. Clint Krehbiel, dean of the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the project has been in the works for a little more than a year.
“And just a great opportunity to think about a space that brings community together. So our agricultural industries, but also our students certainly from all of our departments in Davis College, but also our industry stakeholders,” Krehbiel said.
The grant will help establish a food science, safety and workforce development complex equipped with several new features.
“And so there’ll be a brand new food innovation lab that will bring our external stakeholders, those that work in the foods industry. So you think about dairy products, the importance of dairy products. There’s a lot of interest in wine, so the enology piece,” Krehbiel said.
The complex will include a pilot processing plant for dairy foods and enology, a test kitchen, hands-on immersive experiences and creative opportunities in food innovation.
“That will also include a century lab. Upstairs, again, with the research base, there’ll be a microbiology lab. There’ll be a food pathogen lab, where again, where we’ll be able to study the food safety aspects,” Krehbiel said.
Construction timeline
The complex will take the place of the current Davis College Annex and the former Fisheries and Wildlife Research buildings. Those buildings will be torn down at the end of the month. A groundbreaking is expected in the spring of 2027.
Krehbiel said the goal is for every part of the building to celebrate and educate the importance of agriculture because of the USDA grant.
“Those dollars are very difficult to come by. And so again, most appreciative of our legislatures believing in the importance of ag for national security and national food security across the country,” Krehbiel said.
The project architect and Texas Tech’s president will announce the addition to alumni and students at the 65th annual Homecoming breakfast this weekend.
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