For many, Oklahomas agricultural and food industries evoke thoughts of wheat and cattle. While this is a rich part of Oklahomas heritage and a significant portion of our economy, many of these commodities are currently sent to other states or even other countries for further processing into the bakery, meat and other products that reach the consumers table. The purpose of the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center is to help develop successful value-added enterprises in Oklahoma - to bring the products, the jobs, and the dollars back home. FAPC opened for business in early 1997, and the 96,000-square-foot stand-alone building houses animal harvesting, food manufacturing, grain milling, sensory profiling, food microbiology and analytical laboratory facilities, as well as conference facilities and applications laboratories for demonstration and prototype testing. FAPC has assisted more than 1,000 Oklahoma clients through 3,000 technical and business projects. By offering large and small businesses, producers and entrepreneurs access to faculty and staff with expertise in business and technical disciplines, FAPC strives to discover, develop and deliver information that will stimulate and support the growth of value-added food and agricultural products and processing in Oklahoma. FAPCs research laboratories, pilot-processing facilities, educational programs and seminars keep food and agricultural processors and entrepreneurs on the forefront of cutting-edge value-added processing and technology. FAPC has a 16-member Industry Advisory Committee made up of food and agricultural industry leaders who are appointed by the highest position of the Oklahoma state government. The committee offers counsel, makes decisions and takes leadership action to ensure the FAPC makes sound short- and long-term plans to accomplish its mission and objectives.