Kansas State University celebrated the opening of the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center September 18, marking the completion of its $216 million Agriculture Innovation Initiative.
The 178,000-square-foot, three-story center brings grain, food and animal sciences together to strengthen education, research and industry partnerships. Connected to renovated spaces in Call and Weber halls, the facility provides a new home for bakery science and management, feed and pet food science, food science and industry, and milling science and management. As the largest agricultural construction project in K-State history, the $130 million center includes specialized teaching and research laboratories, pilot-scale processing areas, interdisciplinary research space, a 236-seat lecture hall, and collaboration areas where students, researchers and industry partners can work side by side.
The complex also includes the new 1863 Marketplace, featuring K-State-produced meat, dairy, grain and honey products. Call Hall Ice Cream production is expected to return in spring 2027, providing additional hands-on learning opportunities for students.
The Western Star name recognizes the agricultural legacy of the Hale and Vanier families and their longtime support of K-State. The project received support from alumni, donors, commodity organizations, including KLA, industry stakeholders, and state and federal partners.
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