The United Nations projects that the global population will approach 10 billion by 2050, raising urgent questions about food security. Oklahoma State University is taking a strategic step toward addressing this challenge through the construction of the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall, a state-of-the-art teaching, research, and Extension facility for OSU Agriculture. This initiative is driven by a historic gift from alumni Kayleen and Larry Ferguson, which also rebranded the Ferguson College of Agriculture. Dr. Thomas Coon, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture, stated, “The New Frontiers Agricultural Hall will change and modernize our research and the way we teach scientific subjects. It all goes back to the premise of being a modern, land-grant institution. Research has the promise to change the way we grow food and care for the natural environment we rely on. It can transform Oklahoma’s economy, fostering innovation that will feed a growing world population.”
Scheduled to open in fall 2024, the facility is designed around modern teaching methods, with flexible laboratory spaces adaptable to multiple disciplines and interactive classrooms aimed at channeling student energy into innovation. The project strengthens the three pillars of the land-grant mission—teaching, research, and Extension—while tackling two critical challenges: attracting and retaining scientific leaders, and equipping collaborative teams with advanced laboratory and field resources.
Precision agriculture is a focal point for OSU Agriculture’s strategy to sustainably feed a growing population. The OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences has established itself as a leader in developing and deploying sensor technologies for agricultural applications. Dr. Brian Arnall, professor and OSU Extension specialist for precision nutrient management, has spent over a decade working with sensor-based technologies, remote sensing, and variable rate application. His research delivers tools and data to producers, enabling improved nutrient management and profitability. “As a collaborative effort, the International Society of Precision Agriculture worked toward a standardized definition of precision agriculture,” Arnall said. In essence, it involves using information and data to make better agronomic decisions.
Dr. Randy Raper, assistant vice president of facilities for OSU Agriculture, emphasized that the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall will provide over 24,000 square feet of research laboratory space to advance precision—or digital—agriculture. A key component is the Waits Family Digital Ag Lab, funded by Matt and Kristine Waits of Stillwater. Located on the third floor, this interdisciplinary hub will support simulation modeling and remote sensing applications for soil fertility, agronomic management, and related research.
Dr. Phil Alderman, associate professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, investigates the interplay of weather, climate, soil, crop genetics, and management in sustaining resilient agricultural systems. “The biggest advantage of the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall is having a space that is specifically designed for these types of activities,” Alderman said. “I’m really excited to see what kinds of innovative ideas and synergistic collaborations will spark from us all being in a shared space.”
Within the Digital Ag Lab, the John Deere Huddle Room—funded by Greg and Kristen Hart of Tulsa along with John Deere employees and retirees—will facilitate collaboration. Nearby, the Geospatial Computer Teaching Lab will serve as a multipurpose classroom and research space supporting geospatial curriculum in ecology, hydrology modeling, and big data visualization for the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
Dr. Bryan Murray, assistant professor in that department, applies geospatial technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite imagery to study forest and plant community resilience. “While geospatial technologies allow us to collect more data than ever before, someone needs to know what to do with all of that data,” Murray said. “In the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall, we will have state-of-the-art classrooms and labs where we can train future ag professionals in how to use new technologies and analyze data to make more informed decisions.”
Beyond plant and soil sciences and natural resource ecology, departments including biosystems and agricultural engineering, biochemistry and molecular biology, and animal and food sciences will benefit from these collaborative spaces. “Many institutions are rallying around precision agriculture, including Oklahoma State,” Raper noted. “The New Frontiers Agricultural Hall will provide the interdisciplinary research, teaching labs and collaborative spaces to continue to be a leader in precision agriculture.”