Utah State University Ag Facility - A Commitment to Agriculture's Future

Utah State University’s newest teaching and research facility is a state-of-the-art and “state-of-the-science” building for teaching and animal research. But, as many speakers at the building’s May 8 dedication pointed out, it is also symbol of the state and the university’s agricultural heritage and commitment to agriculture’s future.

State Senator Lyle Hillyard told guests at the dedication that former USU President Kermit Hall first brought up the idea of creating a new agricultural facility. Hillyard said he immediately recognized that it was a critical time for the state to make a strong, clear commitment to agriculture or risk having USU students fall behind.

 

“They may create something here that impacts agriculture around the world,” Hillyard said in describing how research and teaching at USU reach well beyond Cache Valley and the state to affect agriculture internationally.

 

Stressing the importance of the new facility to the state, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Leonard Blackham said, “Utah agriculture is animal agriculture. Eighty percent of Utah agriculture is livestock.”

 

Blackham said agriculture’s success depends largely on science, improved management practices, communication and work ethic, and that three of those four are directly tied to USU through its teaching, research and extension missions.

 

One wing of the building includes a classroom, offices and several animal physiology and reproduction labs. There is also a suite of veterinary medicine facilities, including a lab, surgery, recovery and animal holding areas. The building’s north wing houses another classroom, USDA-inspected meat lab, refrigeration rooms and office space. In addition to the sizable legislative appropriation, Cockett said the project was a team effort, bringing together funding from the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, USU Extension and individual animal science researchers.

 

USU President Stan Albrecht thanked legislators for their strong support of the project, particularly Senators Peter Knudson and Hillyard. While buildings are not named for sitting legislators, Albrecht said university administrators felt strongly that Hillyard should be honored for his service to USU for securing the $10 million of state funds to construct the new building. In that spirit, Albrecht unveiled the sign for the new building: The Matthew Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center.

 

Matthew is the 33-year-old son of Senator Hillyard and his wife, Alice. Matthew, who has Down syndrome, helped cut the ribbon and officially opened the building to the applause of guests, including several of his siblings and their families. Senator Hillyard said he predicts that Matt will ask to stop by occasionally to see whether there is chocolate milk and Aggie Ice Cream at his building.

 

Noelle Cockett, vice president for USU Extension and Agriculture, said Matthew Hillyard is a great friend to many people in the college. He attends many of the college’s events and is a loyal supporter whose voice is heard loud and clear at Utah State athletic events.

 

She said the building, the complex of existing facilities and those scheduled for future development are “a celebration of our students, our research and the extension work we do throughout the state. “ She added that the location, on the east side of Highway 89-91 in Wellsville, is a beautiful setting and a visible celebration of agriculture’s legacy in Utah.

 

Cockett also announced the naming of one of the building’s main classrooms after Mark C. Healy, former head of USU’s Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science. Cockett said Healy, who died of pancreatic cancer in December 2007, was a driver of the project and inspired everyone involved in its planning and construction.

 

The open design and large windows of the new Matthew Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center’s lobby provide wide views of Cache Valley’s mountains and provide abundant natural light. The building was designed by Jacoby Architects and built by Jacobson Construction.