This paper describes the planning, designing, constructing, and initial operating phases of a state-of-the-art agricultural pesticide facility (APF). The APF on the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus is located within a major metropolitan area, causing environmental and human safety to be priority considerations. The building site was located adjacent to a greenhouse complex and field plots to provide access for all users of pesticides on the St. Paul Campus for storing, measuring, packaging for off campus use, applying, and disposing of pesticides. This central facility eliminated the need for about 25 generally inadequate locations on campus where pesticides were previously stored and handled. Changing state and federal pesticide regulations and in-house operating requirements may require future modification and retrofitting of the APF. However, the APF is a valuable research and education addition to the St. Paul Campus, and it has provided greater safety for personnel, students, visitors, the community, and the environment.
