The Raven Precision Agriculture Center at South Dakota State University was dedicated on Saturday. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says she is excited about the facility because it allows collaboration on precision ag technology within SDSU and with industry.

SDSU President Barry Dunn says the state-of-the-art classrooms and labs benefit students, researchers and farmers as it will help them push yields while being more sustainable.

Rosalyn Madsen is a Precision Agriculture student from Franklin, Minnesota. She has already had classes in the center and says it’s giving her hands on experience she couldn’t get anywhere else in the country.

Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences John Killefer says the precision ag majors that graduate from SDSU will be able to help agriculture tackle challenges such as how to feed a growing population.

The $46 million facility is 123,000-square feet and was supported by private industry donations as well as the South Dakota legislature.