WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A major company in the food industry has pledged to give $1 million toward food research in Kansas.

ADM will give $1 million to Kansas State University’s Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation. The center is one of four facilities included in the Agriculture Innovation Initiative led by K-State’s College of Agriculture.

K-State says the money will help with advances in food product development, food safety and security, and sparking industry innovation.

“The College of Agriculture is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 higher education ag programs in the nation, and this donation will help ensure we remain at the top in educating students, leading in research and helping our partners feed a hungry world,” Ernie Minton, a dean in the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension, said in a news release.

According to K-State, the Global Center will include state-of-the-art labs, classrooms, and space for collaboration between public and private entities.

“ADM’s purpose is to unlock the power of nature to enrich the quality of life, and as a milling and baking solutions leader, we are proud to support K-State’s Agricultural Innovation Initiative to help deliver a pathway for highly trained students to lead the advancement of new technologies and change within the industry,” Tedd Kruse, president of ADM Milling, said.

The Agriculture Innovation Initiative also includes the Agronomy Research and Innovation Center, the Bilbrey Family Event Center, and Call and Weber halls. K-State says the upgrades and expansions will support grain, food, animal and agronomy research at K-State.

K-State President Richard Linton calls the initiative a milestone.

“This represents an exciting new chapter for K-State, solidifying its position as the next-generation university in education, research and industry,” he said.