Iowa State University Greenhouse Dedication Sept. 3

AMES, Iowa — New state-of-the-art horticulture greenhouses will be dedicated on the Iowa State University campus Sept. 3. The $4 million teaching and research facility replaces 98-year-old greenhouses that were demolished in 2010. The new 12,000 square-foot greenhouses include space-efficient teaching and research areas equipped with state-of-the-art environmental control and innovative plant production systems. The greenhouses extend along the south side of Horticulture Hall, home of the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The complex is partitioned into sections dedicated to research, teaching and student club activities. During the next semester hundreds of students from several departments in the college will study and learn in the new greenhouse facility. "We are very proud of this facility and excited about the opportunities it will provide for our students as they prepare for their careers," said Jeff Iles, professor and chair of the department of horticulture. A computerized control system monitors and regulates environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and light intensity in each greenhouse compartment, providing optimal conditions for plant growth. "The new facility will provide a first-rate experience for students and researchers," Iles said. "The environmental controls will improve the quality of the research and allow us to grow plants year-round." Funds for the $4 million project included approximately $1 million in private gifts. Iowa State and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provided the remaining funds.