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Aerial view of Waterman
WATERMAN AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Opening Doors for the Future of Food, Agriculture, and Environment

Who we are

Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory is a facility within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences that is focused on innovations for the future of our food systems and natural resources. A university hub for leading science and public engagement, Waterman provides an immersive food, agricultural, and environmental experience in an urban environment.

We have an important responsibility to make sure we're educating people on how to keep a viable balance between agricultural production, food security and nutritional quality, and environmental and ecosystem sustainability.

CATHANN KRESS
Vice President of Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Malc Rendering
CEARC Progress
Multispecies Animal Learning Center (MALC)

A world-class facility on campus where students of all ages can engage in experiential learning with animal agriculture.

Coming Soon 2025
CEARC Progress
Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (CEARC)

A new state-of-the-art facility to support interdisciplinary research in controlled environment agriculture.

Opened in 2022
CEARC Progress
Education and Innovation Center

A vibrant hub where CFAES will showcase innovations and career opportunities in food, agriculture, and environmental sciences.

Coming Soon 2026

Places and Spaces

Ecological Systems
Ecological Systems
Agronomic and Soil Sciences
Agronomic and Soil Sciences
Animal Agriculture
Animal Agriculture
Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension
Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension
Horticulture and Specialty Crops
Horticulture and Specialty Crops
Turfgrass
Turfgrass
Funding Raised to Date
$22M
$40M GOAL

Voices from our community

Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory is changing the face of agriculture at Ohio State. Here, leaders share their stories.

Chieri Kubota

It's agriculture in an urban setting, with a greenhouse, animals, sustainability, and environmental science and that is really unique.

Chieri Kubota
Professor, Horticulture and Crop Science and Director of the Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center
Benjamin Wenner

There's a lot of joy in agriculture and this site gives us the opportunity to share that with people who don't know anything about it.

Benjamin Wenner
Associate Professor, Animal Sciences
Jessica Cooperstone

Waterman provides a living laboratory to encounter the real-life problems students are going to see in their work.

Jessica Cooperstone
Assistant Professor
Cathann A. Kress

We're going to keep being astounded by what our careful stewardship of the Waterman facility will yield in the future.

Cathann A. Kress
Vice President of Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Bain Wilson

This new facility will allow us to have all our species on campus.

Bain Wilson
Assistant Professor, Professional Practice and Livestock Judging Coach
Benjamin Bohrer

Initiatives that bring in people to see those animals and those production systems are so vital to the future of the animal agriculture industry.

Benjamin Bohrer
Assistant Professor
Jay Dorsey

Having Waterman on campus is just phenomenal if you want to give students hands-on experiences. It's a great site for looking at stream characteristics and a real timesaver.

Jay Dorsey
Research Scientist
Zach Steffensmeier

It's a good site for them to ask questions, to strap on the waders, and get excited about stream ecology.

Zach Steffensmeier
Lecturer

Master Plan Vision

Master Plan

Dairy Renovation

Coming Soon in 2023

Multi Species Animal Learning Center (MALC)

Coming Soon in 2025

Education and Innovation Center

Coming Soon in 2026

Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (CEARC)

Opened in 2022

Kunz-Brundige Extension Building

Opened in 2019

Just Across from Carmenton

Waterman's location next door to Carmenton, the University's new innovation district, offers rare access to a wide range of innovative and creative leaders intent on solving current and future challenges. CFAES will establish a presence in the first two Carmenton projects, the Interdisciplinary Research Facility and the Energy Advancement and Innovation Center.

Carmenton will be a new home for collaborative, interdisciplinary education and outreach. The innovation district will bring private, public, and academic sectors together to exchange knowledge, understand complex problems, and develop new technologies.

Learn More
Malc Rendering
Building