The University of Nevada, Reno, celebrated the grand opening of the Experiment Station’s Main Station Farm Science Center on Oct. 10. The event, hosted by the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, marked a debut of a new classroom and research facility designed to foster discovery, innovation and hands-on learning for students while supporting Nevada’s agricultural and meat industries. The facility features state-of-the-art technology that will enhance and support several of our programs, including meat science, animal science and veterinary science — areas critical to meeting the state’s needs.
Guests toured the Science Center’s lab and collaborative spaces as well as the newly upgraded feedlot and Wolf Pack Meats. University leaders, including President Brian Sandoval; Provost Jeff Thompson; College Dean Bill Payne; and Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno Senator Grace McAndrews, shared remarks. Attendees enjoyed homegrown refreshments featuring wine from the University’s Desert Farming Initiative and beef from Wolf Pack Meats, celebrating a milestone that strengthens both student learning and Nevada’s agricultural community.
The Science Center features a modern smart classroom that seats 46 students and is equipped with integrated presentation technology and high-speed Wi-Fi, ideal for lectures, workshops or hybrid instruction. The Web Lab offers a specialized environment for animal science education, including a camera-equipped necropsy (animal autopsy) table, rail systems for safe specimen handling, coolers and freezers, and a load bay for efficient transport. The facility also features a conference room, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor patio, providing versatile spaces for meetings, demonstrations and gatherings.
Development of the facility began in November 2020 and concluded in December 2024. The project is an investment in Nevada’s food security and food systems, and enhances the College’s ability to recruit students to its programs supporting food systems and security in the state through its unique combination of classroom, lab, Wolf Pack Meats and feedlot operations.
