Collaborating for New Opportunities, Creating More than a Commodity

South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn partners with the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council to add more value for the state’s leading crop.

Barry Dunn, President of South Dakota State University (SDSU), has lived a rich and fulfilling life. Once a rancher in Mission, SD, he reinvented himself as a university faculty member at the age of 48. After earning his PhD and teaching agriculture at SDSU, he was recruited by Texas A&M University – Kingsville, where he spent several years. Reflecting on his career shift, he laughs, “I've had two distinctly different lives, for sure. Becoming a faculty member at 48 was quite a change.”

Dunn was drawn back to SDSU to serve as the first-ever Endowed Dean of what is now called the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, a position supported by the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC or Council). Now, as president of his alma mater, he is passionate about working with industry partners like the SDCUC to build an agricultural university that rivals the best in the nation. “The investment that the SDCUC has made in SDSU over the last 14 years are the main reasons the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is so active and impactful,” he notes.

For over a decade, the SDCUC has invested millions of dollars into SDSU, supporting infrastructure, research, and human resources. SDCUC President Jim Ketelhut asserts, “The council is selective about allocating funds from corn checkoff dollars. SDSU has proven its commitment to advancing our industry through initiatives that ultimately help to benefit South Dakota corn growers.” The SDCUC has supported several initiatives at SDSU

Human Resources

The South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences position has been a significant advantage for the college, inspiring other colleges and departments across campus to follow suit. This position has allowed the university to attract a highly talented pool of candidates and support strategic initiatives.

Agricultural Coursework

A new certificate program in development focused on leadership that will benefit both students and their communities has been partially funded by the Council. As Dunn states, “The SDCUC recognizes that leadership is crucial for rural America, and we need to invest in it. With thousands of young people emerging with knowledge, we need them to become leaders in their communities and industries, especially agriculture.”

Research

SDSU is working towards achieving R1 top-tier research university status, akin to the transition to D1 sports in 2008. Dunn explains, “In the past we’ve missed out on research grants because universities like North Dakota State University, the University of Minnesota, and Iowa State University have the research capacity that we lack. It’s a challenging goal, but with our partners’ support, we aim to reach the same level of productivity and prestige.” The SDCUC regularly invites university research teams to submit their funding proposals. Most recently, the SDCUC committed $1.2 million to build two wean-to-finish rooms expanding the Swine Education and Research Facility to increase nutrition research by greater than 50 percent. This will drive the swine industry and related value-chain agricultural sectors. Dunn is excited about the expansion, noting, “Our production has outgrown our facility, so the new gift from SDCUC will help us accommodate all the pigs we produce, conduct more research on corn and soybean meal, and publish findings in the scientific literature and through the National Pork Board. It’s really exciting.”

Bricks & Mortar

The Raven Precision Ag Building was strongly supported by the SDCUC, which helped contribute towards nearly half of the necessary funds for construction. Dunn emphasizes, “The state contributed the other half, but we wouldn’t have received that if we hadn’t raised the initial funds. SDCUC’s investment demonstrated the importance of public-private partnerships and helped us advance boldly into the future.”

The POET Bioproducts Institute, an innovative laboratory facility at SDSU’s Research Park fosters the development of biotechnologies related to specialty animal feeds and biomaterials. The SDCUC committed $2 million towards the construction of the Institute. This 45,000 square-foot facility allows private enterprise and university scientists to collaborate, helping to move ideas discovered in laboratories into the marketplace. Dunn believes, “This facility will help scientists engage with industry from around the world.”

As SDSU continues to innovate and develop, the future of South Dakota’s agricultural industries remains a central focus with industry partnerships crucial to achieving these goals. Dunn reflects, “One of my favorite stories is about a recent graduate who earned a degree in Precision Agriculture at SDSU and is now working for a company in South Dakota, developing computer programs to measure the environmental benefits of corn production. Seeing him succeed—creating algorithms to help farmers earn more for their corn based on its environmental benefits—is a perfect example of what this university can achieve. By moving corn from a commodity into a value-based market, we can significantly benefit South Dakota farmers. Our goal is to maximize value for them in a dynamic, exciting world, and we’re doing that with the support of the SDCUC.”