Gov. Sanders approves $5M in state funding for Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation
June 22, 2026
By Mollie Pratt
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Sanders announced $5 million in state funding for new UADA food science center
- Investment builds on $30 million in federal funding secured for the project
- Project aims to improve food security, strengthen agriculture and food systems
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Download RENDERINGS of the new food science building
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced new state support for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation on June 19, when the Arkansas Legislative Council approved $5 million from the Restricted Reserve for the building’s construction in Fayetteville.
This investment builds on $30 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Sen. John Boozman and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack. The Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation will replace the existing University of Arkansas food science facility with an approximately 62,000-square-foot building that will provide new laboratory, office and classroom space for food science department faculty, staff and students.
“Arkansas is an agricultural powerhouse, and this investment will ensure we remain a leader in food innovation for generations to come,” Sanders said. “The new center of excellence will give students access to world-class facilities, strengthen partnerships with Arkansas producers and businesses, and accelerate research that directly impacts one of our state’s largest economies. We’re investing in the workforce, agriculture and innovation that will keep Arkansas competitive in the future.”
Deacue Fields, head of the Division of Agriculture, said the investment will reinforce and expand on more than 50 years of University of Arkansas food science leadership in research, education and industry engagement.
“We are extremely grateful for Gov. Sanders’ support for the Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation,” Fields said. “The mission of the center aligns with the governor’s priorities to address food insecurity and health throughout the state. This support will allow us to build a world-class facility to drive the innovation necessary to address these critical issues, and also identify ways to add value in the production agriculture sector.”
Jay Silveria, University of Arkansas System president, said the continued investment in the Division of Agriculture’s food science program is “monumental” for the state’s agricultural infrastructure and efforts to serve Arkansas communities.
“This funding will solidify and accelerate groundbreaking research, support local food entrepreneurs, help us further address food insecurity in Arkansas, and equip our students with the hands-on technical skills required to lead the global food processing industry,” Silveria said. “This project perfectly aligns with our system-wide mission to drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans.”
Supporting innovation and research
Planned for the corner of Garland Avenue and West Cassatt Street north of the University of Arkansas campus, the new building will encourage collaboration among researchers through shared laboratory spaces, expand educational opportunities, and improve access for industry partners and food entrepreneurs.
Jean-François Meullenet, director of the Division of Agriculture’s research arm, the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, said the facility will support the department’s core research areas and provide dedicated spaces for food and beverage processing.
“This facility will enable us to tackle some of the most important challenges facing agriculture and food systems today,” Meullenet said. “The center of excellence will strengthen our ability to improve food security, advance human health, support Arkansas producers and create innovations that drive economic growth across the state.”
The new building will provide additional and modernized space to centers and programs that are already shaping the future of food, he added. Together, the Arkansas Rice Processing Program, Center for Food Safety, Arkansas Food Innovation Center, Center for Beverage Innovation, Center for Human Nutrition and Sensory Science Center are improving rice processing and food safety, supporting entrepreneurs, advancing nutrition research, and creating new opportunities for Arkansas agriculture and the food industry.
Faculty in the department are also developing sustainable aerogels from agricultural and food-processing waste, addressing labor shortages through autonomous robots that handle soft foods with precision, and evaluating the use of rice protein to make plant-based cheese.
Giving opportunities
Construction of the new building is expected to begin later this year, and the latest projections estimate the total cost to be $62 million, including demolition and construction of a new road leading to the center. After the $35 million in state and federal funding, the remaining costs will be covered by the Division of Agriculture’s project budget and through philanthropic support.
The Division of Agriculture is offering donation opportunities for named spaces, including laboratories, classrooms, a beverage production facility and more. To learn more, those interested in making a gift can contact Jeff Weaver, director of government affairs and stakeholder relations for the Division of Agriculture, by writing him at jweaver@uada.edu.
To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit aaes.uada.edu. Follow the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station on LinkedIn and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Mollie Pratt
U of A Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 502-9716
mpratt@uada.edu