How an old K-State ‘shed’ turned into a neighboring county’s treasure

K-State, Pottawatomie County partner to repurpose 8,000-square-foot agronomy structure.

By Rafael Garcia
K‑State News and Communications Services

Nearly a year after a tornado hit and destroyed several buildings in Westmoreland, the Pottawatomie County public works department is rebuilding, and Kansas State University is lending its neighbor a helping hand.

As part of its initiative to create the Agronomy Research and Innovation Center, K-State is reconfiguring much of its agronomy space north of Bill Snyder Family Stadium, in an area called the Agronomy North Farm.

Part of that work includes removing older storage structures, including an approximately 8,000-square-foot “shed,” or pre-engineered metal building, that previously housed various combines, trucks and other equipment.

But rather than scrapping the valuable structure, Joe Whitlock, executive director of environmental health and safety at K-State, sought a more sustainable solution aligned with the university’s Next-Gen K-State strategic plan.

“Stewardship, impact, connection and courage are foundational to K-State,” Whitlock said. “Being good stewards and impacting those around us — especially in a time of need — is what makes this project so fulfilling.”

Whitlock reached out to organizations in the region and found a community partner more than eager to take it off the university’s hands. Pottawatomie County representatives called back that day and were on campus within 24 hours to see the building.

“Pottawatomie County is our next-door neighbor and a great supporter of K-State,” Whitlock said. “After the tornado last year, it only made sense to work with them to give back to our community.”

This month, crews with Pottawatomie County public works have been carefully dismantling the shed at the North Farm.

They plan to rebuild the structure and other new buildings in Westmoreland later this year as a new hub for the department’s public works and noxious weeds pickup trucks, mini backhoes, skid loaders and other similar equipment.

“We really appreciate what K-State is offering in allowing us to repurpose this building,” said Tim Eisenbarth, public works administrator for Pottawatomie County. “There are definitely going to be some savings for our taxpayers because of this, and there’s a sense of pride when we can work together and take ownership of a project like this.”

Mark Jack, noxious weed director for Pottawatomie County and former mayor of Westmoreland, said the project was one both his county and K-State could take pride in.

It’s a great example of repurposing materials instead of contributing to a landfill, he said.

“Being able to repurpose resources, being able to save taxpayer money — it’s just great to see how this partnership with K-State continues to do good for all of our constituents,” Jack said.

“We’re proud to have that trust from our partners at K-State that we’ll take care of this resource and put it to good use in our community.”