THE FUTURE IS CLEAR: New Greenhouses Provide First-rate Experiences
New horticulture greenhouses at Iowa State University built through public, private partnerships provide a rst-class venue for education and research.
Alum Dwight Hughes (’70 horticulture and land-scape architecture), second from right, presented commemorative green ties to Iowa State University administrators involved in the ribbon cutting—Dean Wendy Wintersteen; Jeff Iles, horticulture chair; and President Gregory Geoffrey (right).
The 12,000 square-foot, state-of- the-art facility, dedicated in September, replaces 98-year-old greenhouses that were demolished in 2010.
The green-houses extend along the south side of Horticulture Hall, home of the Depart-ment of Horticulture. The complex is partitioned into sec-tions dedicated to research, teaching and student club activities. Each area is equipped with computerized control system monitors that regulate environ-mental parameters such as temperature, humidity and light intensity providing optimal conditions for plant growth.
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,” says Jeff Iles (’93 PhD horticulture), professor and chair of the department of horticulture.
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.
