April 1, 2024
Contact: Courtney Perrett, 573-882-6217, cperrett@missouri.edu
WHAT:
A groundbreaking event for the $4.6 million Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Laboratory at the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center (FD-REEC) in Portageville, Missouri. The University of Missouri Board of Curators recently voted to name the new building to honor the former U.S. senator for his championing of agriculture research in Missouri. Former Sen. Blunt helped secure funding for the new building, which is coming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the state of Missouri and the FD-REEC.
Speakers at the groundbreaking include Jason Bean, Missouri Senator, District 25; Roy Blunt, former U.S. Senator; Mun Choi, president, University of Missouri; Chris Daubert, Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Dean, MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Keith Holloway, University of Missouri Board of Curators; and Chad Higgins, Vice Chancellor for Extension and UM System Chief Engagement Officer.
WHEN:
9:30 a.m.
Friday, April 5, 2024
WHERE:
147 State Hwy T, Portageville, Missouri, 63873
MORE INFORMATION:
The new building will offer technologically advanced soil sample, water and plant tissue testing facilities and provide lab space to house the FD-REEC’s rice production and entomology research programs while accommodating additional greenhouse operations. The testing services that will be offered by this new laboratory are currently unavailable in this region of Missouri. This new resource will help advance research and innovation in all the agricultural research programs currently housed at the center.
The FD-REEC is part of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, which provides locally relevant research and demonstrations to support Missouri’s producers and landowners.
Media interested in attending the event should contact Michelle Enger at engerm@missouri.edu or 573-882-0232.
