University Farm

A quarter section of land approximately six miles south and 2.25 miles west of the city of Alva was aquired in 1984 for the development of university farm facilities. The tract was purchased for $105,000 from Dale and Esher Hood.

A farm headquarters building with offices, classrooms, a show ring and a caretaker's apartment was completed in 1986 at a cost of $200,000. Half of that amount was provided by the Share Trust and the remainder came from capital improvement funds.

A farrowing house and pens for the swine program were built and other improvements were in 1987-88 at an additional cost of approximately $40,000.

The 320-acre farm consists of both a tillable wheat ground and mixed-grass prairie. Improved buildings consisting of a classroom facility, a 16-crate swine farrowing barn, a pole-type hay barn, two enclosed metal barns, and a small set of cattle working facilities.

In June 1991, Northwestern increased the size of the farm by 80 acres. That land, adjoining the original quarter section on the east, was purchased from Kenneth and Nelda Kay Pfleider for $37,750. Forty acres in cultivation were to provide more room for experimental crops. Forty acres of pasture-land were to be used for training agriculture students in range management and as pasture for university cattle.

On Dec. 17, 2009, Northwestern broke ground at the farm for a new facility to serve its growing agriculture education program, which is new for the university beginning with the Fall 2009. When completed the building will be named the Wisdom Agriculture Education Center.

Construction of the 4,000 square foot building is is underway with completion targeted for spring 2010. The cost of the structure is approximately $340,000. The structure will feature a classroom area, offices and a large shop area. Easley Associates is the architect for the project, and Onpoint Construction will serve as the general contractor.

Funding for the facility comes from a private-public partnership. Private funding was provided by a gift from the Wisdom Family Foundation, and public funding was provided by special allocations from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

For more information on Northwestern's agriculture program, please visit www.nwosu.edu/agriculture.