NDSU launches Peltier Institute for Advancement in Agricultural Technology

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — On Monday, North Dakota State University launched the start of the Peltier Institute for Advancement in Agricultural Technology. The institute is being put together with a donation of $15 million from the Peltier family.

“It was only natural that our family give a gift in honor of innovation, technology, teaching. So we wanted to reward all those things. And we’re extremely happy to be able to supply scholarships both for the school of business and for the AG and engineering schools,” said Keith Peltier, Philanthropic Supporter of NDSU.

The Peltier family has had generations of family members attend the university. Last year, the Peltier complex was completed in recognition of their donation.

The Peltier Institute will establish a connection through agriculture, engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence to address challenges in food production, sustainability, and workforce development.

“Having the physical resources that we’ll have within the complex now, coupled with the funding and the abilities to connect and collaborate with researchers, with faculty. Not just in the college of engineering, but across the college of AG, food systems, and natural resources, it’s going to be a wonderful experience,” said Alan Kallmeyer, Dean of the College of Engineering, NDSU.

Along with establishing the institute, the university is also establishing the Peltier Scholars. Ten scholars each year will have a chance to travel across the country to get hands-on experience, see new technology, and have conversations with researchers in the field.

“They’re going to be the leaders, they’re going to be the entrepreneurs, they’re going to be the people that are going to go out and in part create those businesses, that new round of economic development for the state. So not just for North Dakota, Minnesota’s region, but really this gift gives us an opportunity for national, international presence in this field,” said Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier Vice President for Agriculture, NDSU.

The Institute’s official location will be built within the new engineering building by the fall of 2026.