MSU Greenhouse Renovations Boost Research and Sustainability

By Andi Anderson

Michigan State University (MSU) is making major strides in agricultural research infrastructure with ongoing renovations at the Plant Science Research Greenhouse Facility.

Located at the corner of Farm Lane and Wilson Road, the facility recently opened its new headhouse, the central hub supporting the greenhouses and over 400 users.

The new headhouse replaces a limited space with a much larger, modern facility. It includes multiple workstations, an equipment workshop, potting and photography rooms, pesticide storage, and a specialized vernalization room that mimics winter conditions. Director Chrislyn Particka emphasized the importance of new features like large root-washing sinks and a photography space for producing high-quality images for research publications.

These updates are part of a $65 million investment — $53 million from the Michigan Legislature and $12 million from MSU — to revamp greenhouse and dairy facilities. So far, eight existing greenhouses have been updated, and two of five new greenhouses are complete. The remaining three will be finished by 2026.

The new greenhouses include energy-efficient LED lighting, advanced environmental control systems, and retractable energy curtains, allowing researchers to simulate various growing and climate conditions throughout the year. Higher ceilings also allow for taller plant studies.

Further improvements planned for summer 2025 include rebuilding sidewall vents and replacing evaporative cooling systems. These renovations modernize infrastructure built before 1980, fixing issues such as poor temperature control and aging, leaky structures.

MSU leaders, including George Smith of AgBioResearch and Dean Eric Hegg of the College of Natural Science, highlighted the value of these updates for ensuring precise, controlled research that supports global sustainability and food production solutions.

While these upgrades will modernize about 60% of the facility’s 88,500 square feet, continued investment is still needed for the remaining greenhouse space. MSU remains committed to advancing plant science through top-tier research environments and stakeholder support.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu