K-State expands only U.S. Milling Science Degree with community college partnership

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State University's Milling Science and Management program stands as the only institution in the United States offering a bachelor's degree in the field, positioning it as a vital resource for an industry with a century-long connection to the university.

The Department of Grain Science and Industry, which houses the milling program, educates students in all aspects of the grain processing industry, from grain origination to specialty milling with emphasis on the science and technology of flour milling. Since its establishment in 1905, when faculty member J.T. Willard set up a small mill in a chemistry laboratory corner, the program has grown to become a global authority in grain science and milling operations.

"For more than 110 years, Kansas State University has provided the world with unparalleled expertise in flour milling," according to department information. The program produces graduates who maintain a 100% job placement rate, with starting salaries among the highest for agriculture-related majors nationally.

The milling science program offers students two emphasis areas: operations and chemistry. Students participate in paid internships, with 88% of students engaging in internships with industry professionals across the United States. The program's education extends beyond the classroom through research opportunities at state-of-the-art facilities scattered across K-State's Manhattan campus and on a 16-acre grain science complex on the university's northern edge.

The Hal Ross Flour Mill, located in the Grain Science Complex, serves as both a teaching facility and a working mill fully operated by K-State students and international program trainees. The mill produces more than 29,000 pounds of flour daily, with flour packaged and sold through various outlets or donated to the K-State Milling Science Club, which fundraises by selling the product at campus locations.

Beyond undergraduate education, the department operates the International Grains Program Institute, founded in 1978 as the first professional institute of its kind in the United States. The IGP Institute provides technical training to industry professionals globally in areas including flour milling and grain processing, grain marketing and risk management, and feed manufacturing and grain management.

The department also operates specialized laboratories including the Wheat Quality Research Laboratory, which provides testing services to the wheat industry, and the Feed Quality Assurance Lab, which analyzes how quality is influenced by feed manufacturing processes. The Bioprocessing and Industrial Value Added Products Innovation Center represents a $13 million facility housing advanced research and teaching laboratories.

To address industry demand for skilled professionals, Kansas State University received approval in September 2025 from the Kansas Board of Regents to partner with Cowley County Community College to offer an associate degree in milling science. The two-year program serves as an alternative to the university's four-year degree and accommodates industry professionals seeking credentials while maintaining employment.

"By offering this targeted training, current and future employees will be able to bring expertise to mills throughout Kansas, reflective of the state's position as a grain production leader," said Nicholas Rozzi, vice president of product development at Hill's Pet Nutrition in Topeka, one of several major agricultural companies supporting the program.

The milling science program's comprehensive approach to grain science education and industry training has established Kansas State as the nation's leading institution for grain processing expertise, with graduates finding careers in production, research and development, quality control, and technical sales across the milling industry.