By Mandy Gross, FAPC Communications Services Manager

(Stillwater, Okla. – March 11, 2016) With the 20-year anniversary nearing for Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center, individuals closely tied to the food-processing center are reflecting on the success of the center.

A golden shovel newly mounted in FAPC’s lobby, along with a photo of several dignitaries participating in a groundbreaking event, is a reminder of the beginning and path the center has taken to be where it is today.

Glen D. Johnson, chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, appears in the photo and attended FAPC’s groundbreaking ceremony held on Nov. 12, 1994. At the time, he served as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

“Development of the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center at OSU started with a focus on retaining agricultural outputs and expanding agricultural industry in our state,” Chancellor Johnson said. “Nearly two decades later, that emphasis on discovery, innovation and education continues with significant positive economic impact in Oklahoma communities.”

The vision of the center began with an idea from Sen. Robert M. Kerr in the early 1980s to curb the outflow of Oklahoma’s premium agricultural commodities and launch an effort to convert these premium commodities through value-added manufacturing within Oklahoma.

After many years and with the help of key legislators and industry stakeholders, Sen. Kerr’s idea became a reality and FAPC, a part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, was created.

Roy Escoubas, FAPC director, said since opening in January 1997, the center has continued to discover, develop, and deliver technical and business information that will stimulate and support the growth of value-added food and agricultural products and processing in Oklahoma.

“FAPC’s research laboratories, pilot-processing facilities, educational programs and seminars keep food and agricultural processors and entrepreneurs on the forefront of cutting-edge value-added processing and technology,” he said. “The center has assisted more than 1,000 Oklahoma clients through 3,000 technical and business projects.”

In the last five-year economic impact study on 75 Oklahoma food businesses, FAPC was credited with generating more than $18 million in annual sales revenue. These companies were located in 36 communities across Oklahoma, generating more than 350 jobs in these communities.

Tommy Kramer, executive director of the Durant Industrial Authority, is a member of FAPC’s Industry Advisory Committee, which offers counsel, makes decisions and takes leadership action to ensure FAPC makes sound short- and long-term plans to accomplish its mission and objectives.

“I am so honored to be a part of FAPC’s advisory board and see how the center has assisted food and agricultural companies over the years,” Kramer said. “FAPC has been a blessing to Oklahoma by adding value and providing positive economic impact to the state. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the state-of-the-art center.”

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Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, Oklahoma State has graduated more than 260,000 students who have been serving Oklahoma and the world for 125 years.