6-12-96
Contacts:
Manjit Misra, Seed Science Center, (515) 294-6821
Steve Jones, News Service, (515) 294-4778
GROUNDBREAKING FOR SEED SCIENCE CENTER ADDITION FRIDAY
AMES, Iowa -- The groundbreaking ceremony for a $650,000 addition and remodeling project at Iowa State University's Seed Science Center is Friday, June 14, at 9:30 a.m.
Ceremony speakers include Owen Newlin, president of the State Board of Regents; Martin Jischke, ISU president; David Topel, dean of the College of Agriculture; and Manjit Misra, Seed Science Center director.
The 1,600-square-foot addition will house a high-tech seed training, demonstration and conference facility. The project also includes a remodeled seed-health testing laboratory and classroom.
Twenty-four seed companies, several seed associations and individuals contributed more than $550,000 to the project.
Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. provided a $100,000 gift and a $150,000 matching grant for the project. The other lead donors are Dekalb Genetics Corporation, Asgrow Seed Co., Northrup King Co. and Ciba Seeds. Additional large donors are Lynks Seeds; Cargill Seeds; Corn States Hybrid Service, Inc.; Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc.; Gustafson, Inc.; Land O'Lakes, Inc.; and Petoseed, Inc. ISU's College of Agriculture has contributed $100,000 to the project.
The Iowa Seed Association, the American Seed Trade Association, the Iowa Crop Improvement Association and the Committee for Agricultural Development also endorsed and contributed to the project.
The improvements are needed, Misra said, to help the center's faculty and staff meet the growing demand for research, training and seed-health testing.
Iowa State has been conducting seed research and testing since 1890. The center's seed laboratory is one of the world's largest, annually testing about 50,000 samples from more than 300 plant species. The center hosts workshops, training seminars and other continuing education programs each year for seed industry employees from the U.S. and other nations.
The addition and remodeling is expected to be completed in early 1997.
Diana Pounds, University Relations, dpounds@iastate.edu
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Revised
6/12/96