U of M Day at the Capitol: CFANS showcases statewide impact and research excellence
February 24, 2026
It was a sea of maroon and gold under the Minnesota State Capitol dome this morning! The halls buzzed with Ski-U-Mah spirit as students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters from all five University of Minnesota campuses gathered for the 2026 U of M Day at the Capitol. The community united to share a powerful message: an investment in the University is an investment in the future of every Minnesotan.
The event showcased the University of Minnesota’s incredible reach, and CFANS was proud to highlight the vital work of our Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs). These ten centers are hub sites for field-based research that drive discovery and engagement across the entire state.
At the dedicated ROC table, CFANS representatives demonstrated how researchers solve problems in the exact environments where they occur. From forested landscapes to rich fields of crops, these sites provide the boots-on-the-ground data that keeps Minnesota’s multi-billion dollar agricultural and natural resource industries thriving. By highlighting diverse projects — including soil health, livestock management, and crop production — the display emphasized that U of M innovation reaches every corner of the state.
To help bring this footprint to life, the ROCs showcased a new interactive tool, the Statewide Impact Map. The map serves as a dynamic portal into the University’s physical presence throughout Minnesota, allowing the public and partners to see the placement of various research centers and access a comprehensive look at the specific activity happening in their own regions.
The pride of CFANS' home base was also on full display, with representatives highlighting the unique community of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities St. Paul campus. Joining the St. Paul contingent was the Bell Museum, Minnesota’s state natural history museum, further emphasizing the University's deep commitment to public science and the natural world.
From the Minnesota State Capitol's historic rotunda to University of Minnesota research sites in every corner of the state, today was a proud reminder of what the University can achieve. It was a day of shared stories and Gopher pride, reinforcing that when the University of Minnesota succeeds, the whole state wins.
