Lake Area Tech to Launch Pioneering Ag Commodities Risk Management Lab

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College (LATC) is set to distinguish its agriculture program from nearly every other two-year institution in the nation with the addition of a new, high-tech Ag Commodities Risk Management Lab.

The project, which received final approval for architectural design and bidding authority from the Watertown School Board on Monday, aims to provide students with real-time, hands-on experience in the volatile world of agricultural trading.

A Unique Opportunity for Technical Education

While trading floors and commodities labs are common features at large four-year universities, they are almost nonexistent at the technical college level. LATC President Tiffany Sanderson noted that the college’s research found the closest comparable facility at a two-year school is located in Sheridan, Wyoming.

“Success in agriculture now really requires having really solid marketing skills, and I think this will be a distinguishing factor for our agriculture program as we move forward,” Sanderson told the board.

The lab will serve a wide range of students, including those enrolled in agribusiness, ag production, and livestock management. These students will participate in classes where they actively learn to trade commodities and manage the risks associated with buying and selling agricultural products. Business and financial services programs will also utilize the facility and will feature video conferencing capabilities for broader campus use.

Funding and Construction

The initiative is primarily powered by a $229,000 grant awarded by the CHS Foundation in late 2025. This grant will cover the “real-world” essentials, including specialized furniture and the technology required to operate the lab.

The board approved a $14,000 design contract with Co-op Architecture to renovate approximately 1,600 to 1,700 square feet of existing space in the MET building (900 building) located south of Arrow Avenue. The renovation will transform two current classrooms (rooms 934 and 936) into a single, highly visible lab.

Key design features include:

·         Large windows in the hallway to allow prospective students and visitors to view the lab in action.

·         A scrolling ticker tape running along the back wall to display real-time market data.

·         Updated mechanical and electrical systems to support the new technology.

Construction is estimated to cost $200,000, which will be funded through Lake Area Tech’s campus improvement budget.

“Real-World” Impact

The board expressed strong enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the necessity of these skills in the modern agricultural economy. Board President Jon Iverson praised the move, stating, “I don’t think there’s any, very few things that could be as real world to our students as this experience.” 

President Sanderson shared a personal anecdote to illustrate the importance of the lab’s mission. “I took animal science at South Dakota State University in the fall of 1998, and I still will never forget the mess I made of hog marketing,” she recalled. “I’ll do the calculations right any time going forward. It makes a difference to have that experience.” 

Project Timeline

Design work is scheduled to continue through April, with the college letting bids for construction in early May. The board expects to review and award construction contracts in June. If the timeline holds, construction will run from June through September to have the lab fully operational for the Fall 2026 semester.