Fred Fairchild
Professor of grain science and industry
Fred Fairchild had more than 30 years of industry experience before coming to K-State
in the design, construction, operation and management of feed, flour, dry corn milling
and pet food manufacturing facilities. He is currently managing the design and construction
of the Grain Science Complex and its individual buildings at K-State.
A professor of grain science and industry, Fairchild came to K-State in 1994 from Todd & Sargent in Ames, Iowa, where he was vice president of engineering. A licensed professional engineer, Fairchild specializes in plant design and construction, manufacturing technology, maintenance, materials handling and plant management.
Fairchild has domestic experience in design, construction, start-up and production management of new corn, feed and grain mills and pet food plants, as well as international experience in the preparation of proposals, negotiations and sales of facilities and equipment.
Fairchild has spoken at numerous grain processing meetings, seminars and short courses both domestic and international. He is the author of numerous papers and publications for the feed and flour milling industries and is a consultant on mill design and performance. Additionally, he has prepared an online course for the Grain Elevator and Processing Society, and a class in materials handling for the department of grain science and industry at K-State.
He also has worked for the former Mel Jarvis Construction Co., Salina, as the vice president, secretary-treasurer and director of engineering; as the manager of maintenance and engineering of Crete Mills Division, Lauhoff Grain Co. Inc., Crete, Neb.; as production manager/engineer for Lincoln Grain Co. Inc., Atchison; as plant engineer for the Pillsbury Co., Atchison; and as district engineer for Carnation Co., Los Angeles, Calif.
Fairchild received his bachelor's degree in architectural engineering from K-State in 1963 and his master's in milling technology from K-State in 1964. He is a member of the American Feed Industry Association manufacturing committee; American Society of Agricultural Engineers; and the North American Colleges and Teachers in Agriculture, which recognized him nationally as a teacher fellow. He also was nominated for membership and initiated in Phi Kappa Phi national honorary and Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture. He has served as president of both of the honor societies' K-State chapters. He also has been recognized with the Meritorious Service Award from Phi Kappa Phi and with the Distinguished Faculty Award of Merit from Gamma Sigma Delta.
Fairchild is a former member and past chairman of the American Feed Industry Association Equipment Manufacturers Council and is secretary of the Feed Science Advisory Board at K-State. He served nine years in the K-State Faculty Senate, including as president in 2008-2009. Additionally, he is on or has served on numerous university, college and department committees.
Fairchild can be reached at 785-532-4090 or fjf@k-state.edu.