Business and industry partnerships are key to SDSU being the premier leader in education, research, and outreach.

University President Barry Dunn reinforced that point as he addressed a standing-room only crowd at POET’s Sioux Falls headquarters December 2019, when the world’s largest biofuels producer announced its commitment of $2 million to the construction of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center.

“Achieving our goal to be premier in precision agriculture requires collaboration beyond our campus,” Dunn said. “POET’s gift toward construction of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center will not only support our world-class facility, but open doors to develop new knowledge through cutting-edge research.”

Enhancing sustainable farming practices through innovative technology, research, and information are the motivation behind the gift, explained Jeff Broin, POET’s founder and CEO. “A little over 100 years ago, we derived nearly everything in our society from the surface of the earth. If we want to return to a healthy planet, we will once again need to lean on agriculture, in combination with biofuels and bioproducts, to replace fossil fuels and their derivatives. This gift supports South Dakota’s future farmers, who will need to cultivate even more sustainable ag practices for future generations.”

SDSU is the first land-grant university in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree in precision agriculture. The Raven Precision Agriculture Center is the first of its kind. Launched with a $5 million gift from Raven in 2018, and located on campus, the 35,000 square-feet facility will bring agronomy, engineering, and computer science disciplines under one roof, where students and faculty can collaborate, conduct research and innovate. 

“Students are the biggest benefactors,” said Dr. John Killefer, the South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. “This facility is designed to house multiple faculty members, from multiple disciplines, creating a collaborative environment. When you think about the challenges the industry of agriculture faces, we cannot address or attack those problems from a single discipline or department. Industry partners like POET provide our students with the opportunity to experience real-world application of their education.”

POET will also collaborate with SDSU on research and curriculum development.

As South Dakota’s land-grant university, SDSU has a long history in biofuels research. For decades, graduates have enjoyed careers within the industry, many building them at POET. “SDSU is one of the early innovators in biofuels. Now, being able to partner with the world’s leader in the biofuels industry and having them come on board and support our precision agriculture efforts – it’s creating a wonderful partnership,” Killefer said.

Beyond bricks and mortar, partnerships with industry elevate SDSU’s academic programming, research, and students’ career opportunities. “Because of POET’s reputation in South Dakota, and across the world, this partnership lends credibility to SDSU degrees and research; as I am sure, working with SDSU lends credibility to POET. It’s a synergetic relationship,” Dunn said.

POET joins with more than 25 business and industry partners who have committed more than $118 million to supporting the students, faculty, and facilities of SDSU through scholarships, program support, endowed positions and named buildings. 

“The investment from business and industry on this campus is unmistakable,” said Steve Erpenbach, President and CEO of the SDSU Foundation. “You see the impact on buildings, laboratories and classrooms made possible by corporate gifts, and by the volume of scholarships and programs they support. They recognize SDSU’s role in preparing graduates that meet their workforce needs.”

The Raven Precision Agriculture Center is one of four buildings on campus named for businesses, including Avera Health and Science Center, Daktronics Engineering Hall, and Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.

Through 2019, there were 25 different companies or associates that had invested at least $1 million in SDSU. Four had total gifts exceeding at least $10 million. Combined, the gifts from just those 25 companies and associations was $188.8 million. 

“I am humbled when I consider the generosity of our donors and the support of our leaders in agriculture, government, and industry. These individuals are willing to invest time and resources to make a difference,” Dunn said. “To be a premier university, it requires us to listen to our industry partners and their needs. This is something we take seriously at SDSU. It requires us to do more. To innovate. To look ahead and exceed expectations.”