A new multi-tenant collaboration space will go up at Iowa State University Research Park this summer.
The Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab will have more than 85,000 square feet for ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Science’s Digital Ag Innovation team as well as agriculture-based business tenants to access technology, research, development and each other for innovation opportunities.
The announcement deems it as a hub for digital and precision agriculture. The building is envisioned to be the first of a multi-phase expansion at the research park in the precision and digital agriculture space.
“Our mutual goal, to invest and innovate in the agriculture industry, will take a significant step forward in this collaborative new building. It will afford us the opportunity to create an epicenter of agricultural innovation here in the Midwest,” says ISURP President Rick Sanders.
The Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024. It will pair collaborative office and agricultural workshop space to allow for a unique and innovative work environment in Central Iowa. Over 70 percent of the building will feature high bay and lab space. The ISU digital and precision agriculture program will leverage this new space to grow and become a world leader in ag tech innovation.
“Creating space for the emergence of cutting-edge technology and collaboration opportunities in agriculture innovation will help build stronger communities across Iowa, the Midwest and beyond,” says Alliant Energy CEO John Larsen.
The Digital Agriculture Innovation team, led by Iowa State Prof. Matt Darr, is responsible for more than half of industry research at Iowa State. The team boasts more than 70 patents and distinct tech transfer outcomes as well as 32 products sold globally that impact agriculture daily. The new Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab will allow the team extended space to scale and collaborate more deeply with companies from across the state on agriculture technology projects.
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