A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Sept. 1 for the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center at Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames.
The event is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ alumni barbecue prior to the ISU Cyclone football game vs. Tulsa.
“The Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center will be a resource that showcases Iowa State University to our current students and student clubs and to the community and our agricultural partners in the state,” says ISU President Steven Leath, who spoke at the ceremony. “It also will make an unforgettable impression for prospective students and their families who'll have a chance to experience the learning atmosphere that awaits them in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.”
“Responsible pork production and excellent animal care is our top priority, which is why we’ve invested in this state-of-the art teaching resource,” says Jeff Hansen, CEO of Iowa Select Farms. “As leaders in agriculture, it’s important to continue to pave the way in providing safe, wholesome food by continuing our support of Iowa State University in areas such as research and technology, continuing education and investing in our future leaders.”
The facility will be named in honor of Jeff and Deb Hansen, third-generation family farmers and pork producers and founders of Iowa Select Farms, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year. Earlier this year, the Hansens provided a $2 million commitment to the project.
Construction could begin later this fall on the $7 million center, which has been funded through private gifts from more than 150 donors. The facility will be built on land south of campus currently used by the Department of Animal Science’s equine program.
The facility will be a valuable resource for ISU students to sharpen their skills working with, caring for and learning about animals. It also will serve as a versatile, multipurpose resource accessible to students campus-wide. It will include an indoor 125-ft. X 250-ft. arena with seating for 1,000 people, a set of classrooms and a conference room.
