University of Kentucky Opens New $60M Agriculture Building

By Blake Jackson

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment celebrated the opening of the new Martin-Gatton Agricultural Sciences Building, a modern facility created to support student learning, collaboration and leadership development in agriculture.

The $60 million project includes a 66,000-square-foot building that serves as the college’s first newly constructed campus facility in several decades.

Designed to improve the student experience, the building includes 18 classrooms, study areas, meeting spaces and student support services such as the Center for Student Success.

Several academic programs are now housed inside the facility, including agricultural and medical biotechnology, natural resources and environmental science, community and leadership development, equine programs, companion animal studies and pre-veterinary mentoring.

The building also features gathering spaces and a café intended to encourage student interaction and community engagement.

“As a student, it’s exciting to see this kind of investment in our future,” said Tyren Harris, a freshman majoring in agricultural education. “This building creates a place where we can come together, get our work done and support each other. That makes a big difference in your experience as a student.”

University leaders said the new facility brings academics, advising and student services together in one location to create a stronger support system for students.

“Today, we are honored to commemorate another important milestone in the history of our Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. This building, and those who will work in it, will help advance our enduring and precious promise to the state we were created to serve,” said UK President Eli Capilouto.

“By creating a space where students, faculty and programs come together under one roof, we are strengthening our ability to prepare the next generation of leaders who will advance agriculture and improve lives across all 120 counties in our Commonwealth. And as Kentucky’s land-grant institution, we remain committed to our mission - 160 years strong - and are deeply grateful for the generosity that makes today possible.”

The project was supported in part through a major gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation. College officials said the building is part of more than $450 million in ongoing investments aimed at modernizing teaching, research and Extension facilities across the college.

Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky