Ever wonder where a french fry comes from? How does it go from a ground grown potatoe and end up on your plate curly, straight or waffle like? As early as March 2013, you will be able to have an inside look at this and many other agricultural farming practices of Eastern Oregon.
The new and under construction Sustainable Agricultural and Energy, SAGE, Center will provide a glimpse into the technologies, processes and products that drive economy in rural Morrow County. Located in Boardman, OR, this interactive visitors center will highlight the technology used in food processing, farming and science is behind alternative energy production.
The new 23,000 square feet center chose Premier Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs,for it’s roof and walls. Using SIPs as the building envelope gave the designing architect flexibility given our routers can cut panels and openings in panels into any shape possible. Panels are delivered to the jobsite pre-cut per the architect drawings, allowing jobsite installers to cut days off of installation when they would otherwise be creating arched openings, windows and more. With strength, ultimate code reports, and energy efficient features, SIPs help provide a tight building envelope that will feature a 13,000 square foot, two level exhibit space, 1,500 square feet catering kitchen, gift shop, 200- seat theater, office and support space and other displays while showing the economics of the county in a broad range, from it’s farms and dairies to the food-processing facilities and tourist opportunities facilities and tourist opportunities.
All interactive exhibits are designed and created by Formation, Inc., a Portland based exhibit designer. Formations has worked hard to fully integrate the story of the local area and the Port of Morrow by featuring the technologies used by the area’s related industries and will cover seven themes: