Rising just south of Highway 30 in Ames, the Iowa State University KENT Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex has become a beacon of agricultural education and innovation. This state-of-the-art facility—which provides hands-on educational opportunities to hundreds of students each year—marks a significant milestone in public-private partnerships within the agricultural sector.
At the forefront of this initiative is KENT Corporation whose support and vision have been instrumental in making this cutting-edge feed mill a reality.
Jeff Underwood, Vice President of Enterprise Innovation at KENT, says the importance of this project to both the company and the broader agricultural community is immense.
"The feed mill is part of KENT’s commitment to the animal feed industry in the state of Iowa,” Underwood says. “It aims to establish a place where students can learn the skills to run commercial feed mills in Iowa, across the Midwest and beyond.”
A Hands-On Learning Environment
The new feed mill is not just a facility; it is a learning environment equipped with the latest technology that students will encounter in commercial feed mills across North America. According to Underwood, the classes, which were previously held in traditional classrooms, now take place at the feed mill, providing students with invaluable practical, hands-on experience.
"It's equipment that they would see at any commercial feed mill in North America," he says. "A student trained at this feed mill is ready to work in any feed mill across the continent."
This comprehensive training approach ensures that graduates are not only knowledgeable but also job-ready, addressing a critical need in the industry. The project had many contributors from across the food, agriculture and bioscience economic ecosystem, including KENT Corporation, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Sukup Manufacturing Co., California Pellet Mill (CPM), Iowa Crop Improvement Association and many other generous donors.
The Genesis of the Feed Mill Project
The journey to the establishment of the feed mill began in 2016.
"The process took about seven years between the idea to provide a significant financial contribution to the project and the feed mill going into operation," Underwood says. “At KENT, we take a long-term vision to projects like this. Our commitment to seeing the feed mill to completion and operation is evidence of our dedication to fostering educational opportunities and driving economic development in Iowa.”
KENT’s involvement in the feed mill project also provides a window into the company's willingness to pursue public-private partnerships. While this was a new development for KENT, it aligns with the organization’s broader commitment to supporting the state in which it was founded.
"We are a family founded organization and project like this aligns perfectly with the Kent family commitment to helping drive economic development in the state of Iowa," Underwood says.
A Symbol of Collaboration
The successful completion of the feed mill project showcases how Iowa's diverse agricultural industry leaders can unite toward a common goal.
"It highlights our ability as a state that our organizations can come together to make projects like that a reality," Underwood says. “There was a true collaborative spirit throughout this project. It is that willingness to work together that made this project possible and has established a valuable educational hub right here in the heart of Iowa.”
Driving past the feed mill on Highway 30, the prominent KENT logo emblazoned on the top symbolizes more than just a corporate sponsorship. For Underwood and the entire KENT team, it represents a commitment to innovation, education, and community development.
"It gives a sense of pride to see that logo and know that we're contributing to helping students, the university, and driving economic development in Iowa," Underwood says.