By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University has developed a modern feed mill facility that combines student education, research, and agricultural production. The Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex provides students with hands-on experience, preparing them for careers in the agriculture industry.
"The main purpose of the facility is to train students," complex director Dirk Maier said. "This is a key industry in Iowa with among the largest feed manufacturing capacity and concentration in the world. It allows us to recruit and prepare students for this industry by giving them hands-on experience in every aspect of the mill."
The $35 million facility was built with the support of donors and is located near the university campus. It includes a large milling tower, grain storage units, and advanced research spaces. Students benefit from working in a real production environment while learning about feed processing, grain handling, and safety practices.
"At Iowa State, compared to other land grants, we can get our students from central campus to the feed mill and the livestock farms in about 10 minutes," said Kendall Lamkey, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences associate dean for facilities and operations. "This is a huge advantage because students see a facility like the mill and that is the kind of experience they are looking for at the university."
The complex also supports crop and livestock farming by producing feed from university-grown grains. It helps students understand the full agricultural cycle, from crop production to feeding animals.
"They are not just a farm or a feed mill at Iowa State, they are also a research laboratory and classroom," said Jason Ross, animal science department chair. "The fact that all of that is close to campus creates an abundance of opportunities for students."
Students work as trainees, gaining practical knowledge while earning income. Many receive job offers after graduation due to their experience. The facility also offers courses, tours, and research programs for learners from different fields.
"There is not another agro-industrial facility like this in the world operating on a university campus," said Camille Schroeder, associate director for business and programs operations at the facility.
Safety is a major focus at the mill. Cleanliness, biosecurity, and quality checks ensure safe feed production. The facility runs like a commercial unit, teaching students to manage real-world challenges.
"The ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex is a unique and transformative educational resource that will for years to come enable our students, faculty and staff, and those visiting from elsewhere, to lead this critical industry forward," said Daniel J. Robison, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education