KENT CORPORATION OPENS INNOVATION CENTER AT ISU RESEARCH PARK

MUSCATINE, Iowa (September 3, 2018) – Kent Corporation has opened the Kent

Innovation Center on the Research Park campus of Iowa State University (ISU) in

Ames, Iowa.

Kent Corporation is a recognized innovation leader in the ever-changing world of

agriculture, food, feed, and bioscience.

“This new Innovation Center will grow and strengthen our relationship with Iowa

State University as we apply cutting edge research to our focus in agriculture, food,

feed, and biosciences for people, pets, and livestock,” said Gage Kent, CEO and

Chairman of Kent Corporation.

With the opening of the Kent Innovation Center, Kent is expanding its partnership

with ISU. In September 2017, Kent Corporation made an $8 million commitment to

the new Grain Science and Feed Mill facility. Kent believes the opportunities for

graduating outstanding talent from these programs along with the opportunity for

professional development of existing Kent employees and other Ag businesses will

strengthen and enhance the future for the entire agriculture industry.

Kent Corporation employs a strong internship program and will now be able to

expand these opportunities for ISU students by offering a multi-semester internship

program throughout the calendar year for most majors at ISU. In addition, by joining

the Research Park, Kent will be able to develop new and exciting efforts on

innovation and collaboration with more than 90 Iowa companies of all sizes including

emerging start-up businesses. Kent Corporation formed the Enterprise Innovation

group in 2017 with a focus on identifying long term growth areas. The new

Innovation Center in Ames is part of the outreach program to collaborate with

universities, research teams, and thought leaders throughout the world.

Jeff Underwood, Vice President, Enterprise Innovation, will manage the new Kent

Innovation Center. Underwood has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical

Engineering from ISU and has been an active alumnus for many years. He is also a

member of the Cultivation Corridor AgriTech Accelerator Board, Advisor to the ISU

Startup Factory and member of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Jeff and his

family have relocated to Ames, Iowa.

To learn more about Kent Corporation, please visit https://kentww.com