Board of Regents approves UW-River Falls agricultural facilities projects
Board of Regents approves UW-River Falls agricultural facilities projects
Aug. 20, 2026—The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved two major University of Wisconsin-River Falls capital project requests aimed at strengthening Wisconsin's agricultural workforce and supporting the state's $116.3 billion agricultural economy Thursday. The projects are included in the capital budget request which will be delivered to the state Department of Administration for consideration by the governor and legislature as part of the 2027-2029 biennial budget.
The request includes construction funding for a new Plant Science Discovery Center and planning and design funding for the renewal of the Agricultural Sciences Complex. Together, the projects represent UW-River Falls top capital budget priority.
"UW-River Falls plays a critical role in preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders, scientists and innovators," said Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth. "We appreciate the Board of Regents' support for projects that will help our students gain experience with the advanced technologies transforming agriculture, including artificial intelligence, automation and precision agriculture."
Agriculture and food processing support more than 350,000 jobs across Wisconsin. At the same time, nearly one-third of employees in Wisconsin's agriculture and natural resources sector are age 55 or older, creating a growing need for workforce development. UWRF is one of the state's leading providers of graduates in agriculture, food science and related fields.
The proposed 48,000-square-foot Plant Science Discovery Center would replace the university's aging greenhouse facility with modern instructional, laboratory and research space. The facility would feature technology used throughout today's agricultural industry, including autonomous greenhouse management systems, precision irrigation and robotic monitoring.
The project would support hands-on learning, undergraduate research and collaboration with industry partners. University leaders say modern facilities are increasingly important as artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven decision making become standard tools throughout agriculture and horticulture.
The request also includes funding for planning and design of the Agricultural Sciences Complex renewal project. The current Agricultural Sciences building and Agricultural Engineering Annex were built decades ago and face ongoing infrastructure challenges. Studies conducted over more than 20 years have consistently identified the need to modernize or replace the facilities.
Current limitations affect instruction, research and industry partnerships. Aging mechanical systems, inadequate research space and outdated laboratory facilities make it difficult to provide the learning environment students need and employers expect. Faculty researchers also face challenges conducting advanced research because of space constraints and limited climate-controlled facilities.
The need for additional space comes as enrollment and student demand continue to grow. New first-year enrollment in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences increased 18% from fall 2024 to fall 2025. The college awarded more than 1,000 bachelor's degrees between 2021 and 2025.
The projects would also support Wisconsin's horticulture industry, which includes approximately 1,750 businesses, generates more than $292 million in annual sales and supports more than 5,200 jobs.
The capital request includes approximately $58.57 million in state funding for the Plant Science Discovery Center and $8.5 million in non-UW cash funding for planning and design of the Agricultural Sciences Complex renewal project.
"These projects are about more than buildings," Chenoweth said. "They are about preparing students for careers, supporting Wisconsin businesses and ensuring the state's agricultural industry remains a leader in innovation for decades to come."
Photo: Students work in the greenhouse at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved a budget request Thursday that would replace the aging facility and fund planning and design for major upgrades to the university's Agricultural Sciences Complex. The projects are included in the capital budget request which will be delivered to the state Department of Administration for consideration by the governor and legislature as part of the 2027-2029 biennial budget. UWRF photo.