Farm Credit Associations fund media wall in new home for OSU Agriculture

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Media Contact: Mandy Gross | Senior Manager of Strategic and VP Communications | 405-744-4063 | mandy.gross@okstate.edu

The Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma have joined forces to support the Oklahoma State University New Frontiers campaign to help build a new home for OSU Agriculture.

American AgCredit, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Oklahoma AgCredit collectively contributed to the effort and chose to fund the media wall.

“The Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma believe that partnering with OSU Agriculture in their roles of teaching, research and Extension is a new way to support agriculture and rural America,” said Dan Childs, board of directors member for the Farm Credit Council and Oklahoma AgCredit. “This partnership will allow the Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma to advocate for agriculture and rural communities in a way that has not been possible in the past.”

The media wall will be located close to the seating area of Larry and Kay’s Dairy Bar in the cutting-edge facility for the Ferguson College of Agriculture, OSU Ag Research and OSU Extension.

It will broadcast news and announcements from OSU Agriculture’s three mission areas, share dialogue surrounding agricultural topics, encourage conversations and promote agricultural literacy. Additional uses include sharing personalized welcome greeting messages to prospective students, donors, alumni and other tour groups.

“We appreciate the generous support from the Farm Credit Associations to the New Frontiers project and specifically to fund the media wall in our state-of-the-art facility,” said Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. “This new feature will provide a multitude of opportunities to reach faculty, staff and students, as well as alumni and friends who visit the building.”

The new facility will open in the fall and advance OSU Agriculture’s land-grant mission by creating opportunities for life-changing discoveries, heightening research capabilities, providing hands-on learning experiences and preparing students for their careers.

“The land-grant system is a great model to strengthen the agricultural industry and improve the rural way of life,” Childs said. “There is no better way to advocate and support this cause than partnering and supporting an institution like OSU. A strong land-grant system makes for a strong agricultural industry.”

Childs said employees who are OSU alumni are their top performers. He believes the media wall will be a beneficial way to share information about the organizations while supporting OSU Agriculture.

The Farm Credit system supports rural communities and the agricultural industry with reliable and consistent credit and financial services.

“Both OSU and the Farm Credit system value strong rural communities and agricultural industries,” Childs said. “It is exciting to see the investment made in the Ferguson College of Agriculture. It positions OSU to continue to attract strong faculty, staff and students, which will have an impact for generations to come.”

The New Frontiers campaign was launched in January 2020 to build a new state-of-the-art facility for OSU Agriculture. The new building, expected to open in fall 2024, further advances teaching, research and Extension efforts that are critical to the state’s economy, citizens’ safety and quality of life. By advancing OSU Agriculture and its programs, New Frontiers is fostering innovation to help feed the world.

Story By: Ainsley Treesh | ainsley.treesh@okstate.edu