BLOOMINGTON - The Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors will provide support to the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University (ISU) with the approval of a $50,000 gift to enhance the ISU research farm.

“The ISU research farm provides today’s ag students – the next generation of agriculture professionals – opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning and farm management,” said Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert Jr. “We are pleased to provide financial support to help the University, its faculty and its students.”

The gift will support equipment purchases to advance research and learning on the 440-acre University Farm in Lexington. The farm was originally acquired in 2003 and recently expanded. The University also cultivates an additional 175 acres in Normal, near campus.

Equipment purchases will include ultra-sound imaging equipment for animal reproductivity and a used precision row-crop planter with the capability to plant in 15-inch rows.

“The Illinois State University College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) is thrilled to receive this funding from the Illinois Farm Bureau Board to support our teaching and research missions in the Department of Agriculture,” said Todd McLoda, PhD, LAT, ATC, dean and professor, College of Applied Sciences and Technology. “We are grateful for this support from the Illinois Farm Bureau Board, which will serve hundreds of agriculture students and several faculty members for many years as well as the invaluable farmers throughout Illinois and beyond who will benefit from the outcomes of the work at the ISU farm.”