A recent ribbon-cutting commemorated the opening of the first new building in 11 years on the Columbus campus of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
The Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building, made possible through an $11 million gift from Pat Brundige, serves as the anchor to the reinvisioning of the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory.
Brundige is the college’s largest individual donor and an ardent volunteer for and supporter of OSU Extension, particularly Ohio 4-H. Her gift also creates two endowed Franklin County 4-H educator positions and an endowned Franklin County support fund.
About 65 guests toured the 10,500-square-foot building, which contains the offices of Franklin County Extension along with a demonstration kitchen, gardener’s lab, and a rooftop garden, at the private reception Nov. 15. A public celebration is planned for the spring.
The building strengthens the connection between The Ohio State University and the citizens of Franklin County through engagement in the areas of food, health, and sustainability.
Also planned at Waterman are the Controlled Environment Food Production Research Complex, which will have a state-of-the-art greenhouse; a Multispecies Animal Learning Center, which will bring people and animals together for hands-on learning, events and programming; and a renovation of the dairy.
Join us in our efforts to reinvision Waterman. To learn how to donate or get involved, contact Emily Winnenberg Kruse at 614-247-7606 or kruse.192@osu.edu.
