Dordt University constructing new multi-species building

Construction is underway on a multi-species building at Dordt University’s Agricultural Stewardship Center. Pending weather conditions, the project is expected to be completed in December 2024.

The 167-by-62-foot monoslope building will feature a 40-by-50-foot enclosed area, which will include an entry commons, a feed preparation area, restrooms, and mechanical and storage spaces. The west and east ends of the barn will each have 65-by-50-foot open areas designated for animals with flexible penning options.

Adding the multi-species building will consolidate all animals on one site, as it will be in the same location as the cattle monoslope building. This will reduce challenges such as equipment use.

In addition to convenience and practicality, the multi-species building serves a bigger purpose: providing students with quality learning environments to equip them for their unique calling in the modern world.

“With the provision of the new multi-species building, we are working to ensure our students have the high-quality learning spaces they need in order to be prepared for a constantly changing world. We want our students to be able to be effective kingdom citizens, and that goal is more easily attained when students have modern learning spaces. The multi-species animal building provides that space for our agricultural program and our ag students,” says Fred Verwoerd, vice president of operations.

The new building will provide students in the ag program with a facility to house various animals needed for projects throughout the academic year, including bottle calves, pregnant ewes and feeder lambs.

“There are also plans to raise broilers for the CORE foods class,” says Dr. Holly De Vries, assistant professor of agriculture.

Not only will this new building serve ag students, but it will also benefit the broader Dordt community.

“We’ve been able to host various community events at the Agricultural Stewardship Center over the years, and this building will bring more space and flexibility to these opportunities,” says De Vries. While animals will be housed there throughout the academic year, “there will be times of the year when the space is available for other activities, such as greater involvement with the local 4-H group.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.