By Mollie Pratt
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced new state support for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation on June 19, when the Arkansas Legislative Council approved $5 million from the Restricted Reserve for the building’s construction in Fayetteville.
This investment builds on $30 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Sen. John Boozman and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack. The Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation will replace the existing University of Arkansas food science facility with an approximately 62,000-square-foot building that will provide new laboratory, office and classroom space for food science department faculty, staff and students.
“Arkansas is an agricultural powerhouse, and this investment will ensure we remain a leader in food innovation for generations to come,” Sanders said. “The new center of excellence will give students access to world-class facilities, strengthen partnerships with Arkansas producers and businesses, and accelerate research that directly impacts one of our state’s largest economies. We’re investing in the workforce, agriculture and innovation that will keep Arkansas competitive in the future.”
Deacue Fields, head of the Division of Agriculture, said the investment will reinforce and expand on more than 50 years of University of Arkansas food science leadership in research, education and industry engagement.
Source : uada.edu