The Iowa Egg Council has pledged an additional $150,000 to the Robert T. Hamilton Poultry Teaching and Research Farm at Iowa State University.

“Iowa is the leading egg-producing state in our country,” said Dr. Dan Thomson, chair of the department of animal science at Iowa State. “We have a huge responsibility to maintain world-class education, research and outreach to support this economic engine for our state. We appreciate the partnership with the Iowa Egg Council and look forward to putting this facility to great use.”

The new commitment extends the council’s original pledge of $1.5 million by one year. This financial support from the Iowa Egg Council has helped add educational opportunities for students and other visitors to learn about poultry production, the university said.

One feature of the new facility is a poultry viewing window to showcase different housing systems for the birds. There also is a dedicated poultry rearing area where the students can interact with and raise chicks and pullets.

Educational infographics were added on the walls in the atrium to serve as a teaching aid explaining the various housing types, nutritional qualities of eggs and more.

“The Iowa Egg Council and Iowa egg farmers are proud of the new poultry teaching and research farm and the potential contributions to the long-term viability of the poultry and egg community. Our partnership with Iowa State in supporting production, sustainability, environmental, economic, disease prevention and nutrition research is an investment in our future and in the future of young people interested in poultry careers,” Iowa Egg Council executive director Kevin Stiles said.

Funded solely through private support, the Robert T. Hamilton Poultry Teaching & Research Facility was built in 2019 approximately three miles southwest of Iowa State’s main campus. It is located on the university’s teaching farm complex, which also includes the beef, sheep and swine teaching units. The poultry unit is currently used for teaching and research activities with layers, broilers and other avian species.

The Iowa Egg Council made its pledge through the Iowa State University Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization committed to securing and managing gifts that benefit Iowa State University.