Officials designed the state-of-the-art facility to advance research in nutrition, food security and agriculture.
Texas A&M University celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated Norman E. Borlaug Building this fall. A TAMU news release said the redesigned 85,355-square-foot facility is set to become a hub for groundbreaking research in nutrition, food insecurity, precision nutrition, and responsive agriculture.
This facility honors the legacy of Norman E. Borlaug, Ph.D., often called the “Father of the Green Revolution,” who served as a Distinguished Professor of International Agriculture at the university. The renovation and expansion were part of a three-year collaboration between Texas A&M AgriLife Research, USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and other stakeholders.
“Texas A&M has been and continues to lead agriculture and life science research for the world, and this building will help us pave new paths in nutrition, food, and health,” Texas A&M University System Board of Regents’ John Bellinger said in the release.
The new Norman E. Borlaug Building features cutting-edge laboratories, office spaces, and flexible research environments designed to foster innovation in agriculture and health sciences. Laboratories meet Biological Safety Level 2 standards, incorporating sustainable designs like daylighting and LED lighting to reduce energy consumption. Emergency power systems ensure continuity for critical research.
“This research will continue to make our food systems more resilient and sustainable, food producers more prosperous, and give our Texas and global communities new hope for a healthier future,” said G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of AgriLife Research.
The facility will house key Texas A&M AgriLife Research programs, including the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture and the Department of Nutrition within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. USDA-ARS employees will also occupy part of the building, supporting collaborative projects.
In addition to its research focus, the building celebrates Borlaug’s legacy with unique architectural and artistic features. The expanded two-story rotunda includes terrazzo floors, a wood ceiling, and a distinctive chandelier crafted by Wimberley Glassworks.
“Buildings bring people together,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We look forward to what this building, and most importantly, the people in it, will accomplish to improve lives.”
The chandelier incorporates gold-colored glass symbolizing Borlaug’s revolutionary wheat variety, paired with blue glass representing water and sky. Outside the building, a life-size statue of Borlaug, identical to the one in the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., was unveiled. Sculpted by Benjamin Victor, the statue stands as a tribute to Borlaug’s transformative impact on global agriculture.
The renovation was supported by federal funding secured through Texas congressional leaders, including Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Kay Granger, and former Rep. Mike Conaway. These efforts provided modernized facilities and equipment to enhance research in nutrition and agriculture.
The collaboration with USDA-ARS expands opportunities for innovation in precision nutrition and food security, aiming to reduce diet-related diseases and improve quality of life globally.
“We are proud that [Borlaug’s] legacy will live on in this space — a shining example for future generations and the world-class faculty and staff who will conduct their important work within these walls,” said Chancellor John Sharp, Texas A&M University System.
Borlaug’s Enduring Impact
As an agronomist, Norman E. Borlaug developed a durable, high-yield dwarf wheat variety that revolutionized global agriculture, saving an estimated 1 billion lives. He was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, U.S. Presidential Medal of Science, and the Congressional Gold Medal. Borlaug’s legacy continues through the World Food Prize, which he founded to honor achievements in food security.
Borlaug’s contributions to science and humanity remain a cornerstone of Texas A&M’s mission to improve lives through research and education.
