K-State breaks ground on $13M feed mill facility

The groundbreaking ceremony for the O.H. Kruse Feed Mill and BioRefinery Teaching and Research Facility on Saturday evening was huge for the Grain Science and Industry department, Kansas State University. "We have been thinking about this for 20 years," said Keith Behnke, professor in the department of grain science and industry and host of the ceremony.

Ron Kruse, who donated to the facility, said getting to the groundbreaking took longer than he thought but now that things are finally off the ground, he said he hopes things move fast.

The department of grain science and industry and the department of animal sciences and industry will both use the facility, though it will be a few more months until students can use the building.

Ken Odde, department head for animal sciences and industry, said he does not believe industry is in the title of both the departments coincidentally. They both serve industry by studies and feed mill. He also said Dirk Maier brought a lot of energy to the project.

Joel Newman, CEO of American Feed Industry Association, said K-State and the association have a long, mutual relationship in which they help each other out by providing training, jobs, support - thus accomplishing major goals. The association has employed more than 700 K-State students, all of whom Newman said have had fruitful careers.
[Source: Kansas State Collegian]