BOZEMAN — The Montana State University’s wool lab has been a campus fixture for over 75 years, but its activities remain a mystery to many. When asked about the wool lab, most passersby admitted to not knowing what goes on inside.
Located on the corner of 11th and College, the Montana Wool Lab is a unique facility built in 1947 and considered the only university-associated wool lab in the nation. It serves wool producers in the state and region by researching wool quality to support sustainable wool clothing production.
Brent Roeder, an MSU extension sheep and wool specialist, explained that the lab focuses on running wool samples to help growers add value to their products. The ultimate goal is to offer 100% American-made, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly clothing options to combat the environmental impact of plastic fabrics.
Despite its important work, conducting research in the aging building has posed challenges for the wool lab team. Maintaining the necessary humidity levels for wool testing has required innovative solutions, such as using buckets of hot water and mopping the floors.
Excitement is building for the new Combined State Labs building, which will provide a modern and efficient space for the wool lab and other agricultural labs. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new labs took place recently, signaling a bright future for the wool industry in Montana.
The completion of the new lab is expected by 2026, at which point the wool lab will relocate. The fate of the current 75-year-old building remains uncertain.
