Stillwater Oklahoma June 2023 | Page 46

Oklahoma State University ’ s Robert M . Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center ’ s ( FAPC ) main focus is to keep Oklahoma local food and agriculture in the state .
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 46

How OSU FAPC helps budding entrepreneurs

Photos by Kirsten Hollansworth / OSU Ag Communications
Oklahoma State University ’ s Robert M . Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center ’ s ( FAPC ) main focus is to keep Oklahoma local food and agriculture in the state .

Oklahoma State University ’ s Robert M . Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center ( FAPC ) has not only benefited OSU students , but also Oklahoma entrepreneurs with the program ’ s multitude of opportunities .

Oklahoma agriculture does not only involve wheat and cattle , like some may think . This is the same for FAPC . The program is dedicated to developing advanced processes and technologies to further strengthen food entrepreneurs ’ education of food and agriculture while allowing them to introduce their products to the state . The FAPC ’ s main focus is to keep Oklahoma local food and agriculture in the state .
FAPC History
A handful of state leaders determined that rather than Oklahoma ’ s agricultural products being sent to out-of-state manufacturers , a manufacturing system in Oklahoma would help keep more money in the state .
This is when the Senate passed SB185 , which stated that the State Board of Agriculture would establish an Oklahoma trade development program to further the processing and marketing of Oklahoma food products and renewable resources .
After thorough planning , a proposal was signed by the governor to give OSU the funds for the FAPC building . On Nov . 12 , 1994 , groundbreaking began .
FAPC officially opened in January 1997 . Since then , FAPC has continued to benefit Oklahoma by producing locally created products and distributing them throughout the state .
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 46