University of Idaho Opens New Meat Science Center

Vandal Brand Meats manager reflects on legacy of longtime professor Ron Richard

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:19am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic meat product repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the University of Idaho's investment in meat science education.The University of Idaho's new meat science center will provide students with cutting-edge facilities to explore the future of the meat industry.Moscow Today

The University of Idaho has opened a new meat science center in Moscow, and the manager of the school's Vandal Brand Meats program says the facility's longtime professor, Ron Richard, had a lasting impact on him and other students who studied meat science at the university over the past few decades.

Why it matters

The new meat science center represents an investment in hands-on learning and research opportunities for students interested in the meat industry, building on the university's history of excellence in this field under Professor Richard's leadership.

The details

The new meat science center in Moscow will allow University of Idaho students to gain practical experience in areas like meat processing, food safety, and product development. The facility features state-of-the-art equipment and labs to support the school's meat science curriculum.

  • The new meat science center opened in April 2026.

The players

Vandal Brand Meats

The University of Idaho's student-run meat processing and sales program.

Ron Richard

A longtime professor who taught meat science at the University of Idaho and had a significant influence on many students in the program.

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What they’re saying

“I wouldn't be where I am today if it hadn't been for his teaching and guidance.”

— Vandal Brand Meats Manager

The takeaway

The new meat science center at the University of Idaho builds on the school's legacy of excellence in this field, providing students with state-of-the-art facilities to gain hands-on experience and continue the work of influential professors like Ron Richard.