Hartwick College Debuts Baking Innovation Lab

Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., recently debuted its new Baking Innovation Lab (BIL), part of the Hartwick Center for Craft Food and Beverage, according to a news release. The 3,500-square-foot facility serves as a lab for innovation, collaboration, and experimentation within the food and grain sector. Its ultimate purpose is to boost mid-sized producers and processors of local grains and cereals—namely, bakers, food product developers, and growers.

The lab features amenities like a pilot mill, bakery, and academic space. It will also provide quality testing for local grain & flower products, including grain and flour quality testing, test milling on stone, and recipe development for both whole-grain and stone-ground flour. It will also enable bakers and food developers to experiment with new and revised recipes and formulae, create sample products, and refine processes.

“The launch of the Baking Innovation Lab represents a major advancement in our dedication to the craft food and beverage community,” said Hartwick College President James Mullen. “By offering vital resources and expertise, we enable local producers to innovate and enhance their products, ultimately benefiting our regional economy and food culture. We are thrilled that Hartwick College will establish a presence downtown. This initiative would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Hartwick College Board of Trustees, the City of Oneonta and the commitment from the Governor’s office.”

The BIL is just one component of a $19-million mixed-use development that is part of the Oneonta Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Funding for the lab came from federal, state, and private contributors including the U.S. Department of Education, the New York Department of State, the City of Oneonta, and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, among others.

“The baking lab represents our dedication to the craft food and beverage industry by providing essential research and resources to businesses utilizing flour and grain,” said Baking Innovation Lab director Aimee Hill. “With our cutting-edge grain and flour quality testing and baking equipment, we are excited to offer a range of services that will deepen our understanding of grain quality in baking, milling and whole-grain flour applications, and enhance the work of local producers.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Longwood University Selects Builder for $73M Performing Arts Center

    Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently announced that it has selected Swedish construction company Skanska as the builder of its new performing arts center, according to online news. The project involves the demolition of the current building and constructing a new, 64,500-square-foot facility.

  • Elevating Campus Maintenance: How Power Wash Drones are Transforming Educational Facilities

    As today’s campuses grow larger and more architecturally complex, keeping exteriors clean, safe, and inviting has never been tougher. Facilities leaders are under constant pressure to stretch budgets, meet safety standards, and support sustainability goals—all while tackling the stubborn challenge of exterior cleaning.

  • Uvalde Schools Receive AI Security Technology through Grant Program

    AI-powered gun detection and emergency response technology solutions provider Omnilert recently launched the Save Haven Grant program, according to a news release. The first recipient of the grant, aimed specifically at schools that have faced gun violence, will be the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (Uvalde CISD) in Uvalde, Texas.

  • Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

    Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program.

Digital Edition