Dow AgroSciences expands seed research sites in the Midwest

Plenty of productivity is sprouting from four new or recently renovated Dow AgroSciences seed research sites in Indiana and Illinois. The company has invested more than $6.7 million dollars of capital into building, leasing, and renovating its sites in Fowler, Ind.; Otterbein, Ind.; Sidney, Ill.; and West Lafayette, Ind. Plans call for approximately 10 jobs to be added among the Fowler, Otterbein, and Sidney sites in the future. About 30 people will be employed at the West Lafayette research facility in the future.

• The Fowler, Ind., site for corn research underwent the addition of seed handling equipment and remodeling of other research space.

• In Otterbein, Ind., Dow AgroSciences expanded and remodeled an existing site of one of its retail seed affiliates, Dairyland Seed, to accommodate its growing soybean seed research program.

• Office and lab space was remodeled and improved at the Sidney, Ill., corn research facility.

• On Sept. 22, Dow AgroSciences dedicated its new research facility in West Lafayette, Ind. The company is leasing 15,000 square feet of research space and 11,000 square feet of greenhouse space in Purdue Research Park for biotechnology research.

The expansions are part of the company’s plan to grow its seed business through its retail seed brands, including Mycogen Seeds, Dairyland Seed, and other affiliates.

"Dow AgroSciences is investing heavily in our company’s research sites in order to fuel the growth of our seeds and traits business,” said Don Blackburn, Dow AgroSciences North American Seeds and Traits field breeding and development leader. “Increasing our research capabilities today will help us to deliver the newest innovations in seed for years to come.”