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\u2019s campus focused on food safety.<\/p>\n
Plans for the space<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd 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,\u201d Krehbiel said.<\/p>\n
The grant will help establish a food science, safety and workforce development complex equipped with several new features.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so there\u2019ll 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\u2019s a lot of interest in wine, so the enology piece,\u201d Krehbiel said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will also include a century lab. Upstairs, again, with the research base, there\u2019ll be a microbiology lab. There\u2019ll be a food pathogen lab, where again, where we\u2019ll be able to study the food safety aspects,\u201d Krehbiel said.<\/p>\n
Construction timeline<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Krehbiel said the goal is for every part of the building to celebrate and educate the importance of agriculture because of the USDA grant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose 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,\u201d Krehbiel said.<\/p>\n
The project architect and Texas Tech\u2019s president will announce the addition to alumni and students at the 65th annual Homecoming breakfast this weekend.<\/p>\n
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