Kearney Research & Extension Center (KREC) continues to improve our support for the advancement of knowledge of agricultural and natural resources systems. KREC's philosophy is to provide diverse resources to create a one-stop shop for most of the needs and demands of quality research and extension programs addressing high-priority issues. KREC's six older greenhouses and support facilities were a limiting factor at Kearney. The new state-of-the-art research greenhouse complex completed in November 2003 has resolved this limitation. Key components of the new research greenhouse complex include:
24 greenhouse modules providing for separation of projects to reduce study conflicts. There are 12 modules at 24 ft x 18 ft, 12 modules at 24 ft x 25 ft.
Screened central intake plenums, framed glass, and concrete floors enable a high level of hygiene and pest/pathogen containment or exclusion.
Galvanized expanded metal benches with adjustable height assist in hygiene, disease control, and research design flexibility.
Irrigation water, reverse osmosis water, and infrastructure for house fertilizer water provide for research design flexibility.
Computer control and monitoring via a QCom greenhouse control program enables history sample collection of weather and module conditions and assists control of variables. Each module has spare inputs and outputs for research design flexibility.
Heating and cooling is accomplished with automated plenum vents, unit heaters, exhaust fans, circulating fans, automated shade curtain, and evaporative cooling pads.
Light can be manipulated with automated shade and HID growth light systems.
Research equipment can be connected to automated power outlets. In addition, each module has a compressed air line.
An automated emergency power backup system helps protect research during power outages.
A 5000 sq ft headhouse with over 4,000 assignable sq ft has 2 laboratories, a chemical mixing/storage room, 2 large areas for ancillary activities, and steam sterilization pasteurization equipment.