The University of Idaho dedicated a new meat science laboratory on April 10, bringing together more than 300 supporters to celebrate the facility designed to serve the state’s growing beef industry.
The new Meat Science and Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard offers expanded space and modern technology for students and researchers. This development is significant as Idaho is home to over 8,100 cattle operations with a combined herd of 2.5 million valued at more than $2.6 billion, increasing demand for skilled meat science professionals.
The center spans 12,750 square feet and features amenities such as a Vandal Brand Meats storefront, fabrication and processing rooms, smokehouses, packaging areas, a large classroom with audio-visual capabilities, and an integrated test kitchen. It replaces an older facility built in the 1960s that was only 5,000 square feet. The previous space limited simultaneous activities and required staff to move heavy equipment between rooms frequently.
Leslie Edgar, J.R. Simplot endowed dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), said: “The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is celebrating our 125th year this year — 125 years of leading, innovating, exploring and providing practical research-based information to our communities. Facilities like this position us to continue our land-grant mission, both now and into the future.”
Scott Green, president of the University of Idaho said: “The students who graduate from here have a 100% job placement rate, and now they get to learn their craft in one of the best facilities in the country. This project offers another great example of what the U of I can accomplish when private partners, the state of Idaho and our own investments are combined.”
Planning for this $17.5 million project began over ten years ago with support from multiple stakeholders through generous donations. Michael Parrella—former J.R. Simplot endowed dean—said: “We’ve done some incredible work — great teaching, great research, great outreach and Extension — in the old facility but there’s no question that it was not a showplace… The meat science program… should have physical aspects that reflect the quality… importance of the industry it’s designed to serve.”
Ron Richard—the namesake for whom this center honors—was Vandal Brand Meats’ longtime manager until his death in 2018; his sons attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony expressing gratitude for his legacy being recognized by naming this building after him.
