The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at Nebraska Innovation Campus.
The center will be a $160 million USDA laboratory. It is expected to double the USDA’s science and support staff presence at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. It represents a partnership of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the university and Nebraska Innovation Campus.
The first phase will have 15,000 square feet of greenhouses and 10,000 square feet of headhouse space. It will connect to the Greenhouse Innovation Center at Nebraska Innovation Campus.
Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA chief scientist and undersecretary for research, education and economics, said, “Updated facilities ensure our best and brightest scientists work in the environment and with the tools they need to successfully meet the challenges agriculture faces.”
The new greenhouse space will enable ARS to perform research on wheat, barley, sorghum, forage and bioenergy grasses, and other crops. Research on how these plants respond to emerging pests and pathogens will empower scientists to make discoveries and develop climate-resilient crops.
Once completed, the agriculture research complex will function as a central hub for multidisciplinary experts, scientists and engineers who will collaborate with industry and producers to improve water and food security, increase the resilience of agricultural landscapes and enhance agricultural profitability.
