Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected]

COLLEGE STATION – The Office of the Texas State Chemist, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, is expanding its headquarters at Texas A&M University in College Station, adding more than 10,000 square-feet of laboratory testing facilities and an underground containment system, agency officials said.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently that included members of its Advisory Board Committee and Dr. Craig Nessler, director of AgriLife Research, College Station.

The Texas A&M headquarters is located at 445 Agronomy Road in College Station.

“This expansion will broaden our ability to not only protect the feed and fertilizer that supply our livestock and crop industries here in Texas, but also gives us the capability to work with new hazards defined within the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act,” said Dr. Tim Herrman, state chemist.

Herrman said the expansion will bring the facility “up to full capacity.”

Caption for photo: (Center) Dr. Tim Herrman, state chemist, and Dr. Craig Nessler, Texas A&M AgriLife Research director, are joined by Advisory Committee members at a groundbreaking ceremony recently at the headquarters of the Office of Texas State Chemist. The College Station facility will be expanding by 10,000 square feet, adding additional laboratory and testing facilities. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Blair Fannin)
Caption for photo: (Center) Dr. Tim Herrman, state chemist, and Dr. Craig Nessler, Texas A&M AgriLife Research director, are joined by Advisory Committee members at a groundbreaking ceremony recently at the headquarters of the Office of Texas State Chemist. The College Station facility will be expanding by 10,000 square feet, adding additional laboratory and testing facilities. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Blair Fannin)

“When we moved from our old location on the main campus of Texas A&M, our new facility was designed with future expansion in mind. With this addition of 10,000 square feet, our entire headquarters will encompass 30,000 square feet. This will make our facility one of the most state-of-the-art facilities of its kind. “

Klunkert Construction Inc. of Bryan is the contractor, Herrman said, noting the expansion will take place on the west side of the headquarters building.

“The expanded capabilities will enable the office to address an ever evolving marketplace and new or emerging risks. It also positions the agency to better compete for grants to  fund research that helps protect consumers and enhances the competitiveness of Texas feed and fertilizer industry,” he said.

Members at the May advisory committee meeting and groundbreaking ceremony  included Mark Hebert, chairman, Simplot Grower Solutions; Scott Piercy, vice chairman, Poole Chemical Co.; Daniel Berglund, Texas Corn Producers Board; Sid Brough, EdCot Coop Gin; Mike Compton, Texas Farm Products Co.; Jimmy Fehner, Fehner & Son Grain Co.; John Fritts, Gorman Milling Co. Inc.; Justin Gough, El Dorado Chemical; A.J. Kresta, Texas Sorghum Producers; Horace Luensmann, Producers Cooperative Marketing Association; Bill Messer, Austin; Paul Mostyn, Westway Feed Products; A.J. Rath, Maxim Production Company; Bob Reed, Texas Farm Bureau; David Volleman, Texas Association of Dairymen; Ben Weinheimer, Texas Cattle Feeders Association; and Donnie Dippel, Texas Ag Industries Association.

For more information, visit http://otscweb.tamu.edu.

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