NDSU opens Bolley Agricultural Laboratory

North Dakota State University celebrated the opening of the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory on Aug. 10, 2026, marking a major milestone for agricultural research and education.

University leaders, faculty, staff, students, elected officials, donors and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing the completion of the facility, which expands NDSU’s capacity to address challenges facing agriculture.

"Today's dedication of the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory is the result of a shared commitment to the future of agriculture,” said NDSU President Marshall Stewart. “We are grateful for the support of the North Dakota Legislature and our philanthropic partners, whose investment made this facility possible. The Bolley Agricultural Laboratory will help NDSU prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders, accelerate research discoveries and strengthen our ability to serve North Dakota for decades to come."

The Bolley Agricultural Laboratory serves as a hub for programs in plant pathology, plant breeding, weed science, agronomy, soil science and horticulture.

Following the ceremony, attendees toured the laboratory and greenhouse spaces.

“These spaces allow us to connect research directly to the needs of producers,” said Julie Pasche, Professor and Neil C. Gudmestad Endowed Potato Pathologist. “The work happening here will have an immediate and lasting impact in the field.”

“Having worked in Bolley this summer, I’ve already seen one of the facility’s greatest strengths: it naturally brings people together,” said Cameron Matthews, a Ph.D. candidate in plant sciences and graduate research fellow in the barley breeding program. “Sharing spaces and equipment creates opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from one another and find new ways to approach our work.”

The facility is named for Henry L. Bolley, NDSU’s first tenured faculty member and a pioneering plant pathologist whose work helped shape modern agricultural practices. Members of Bolley’s family attended the ceremony.

The Bolley Agricultural Laboratory reflects collaboration among North Dakota State University, the State of North Dakota and private donors. Funding approved by the North Dakota Legislature provided critical support for the project, while philanthropic investments from donors and industry partners enhanced the facility’s research and educational capabilities.

“Public and private partnerships like these ensure NDSU can continue delivering solutions that matter to producers and communities,” said Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier Vice President for Agriculture.

As a land-grant institution, NDSU advances agriculture through education, research and outreach. The Bolley Agricultural Laboratory strengthens that mission by connecting discovery to practical solutions for producers and communities.