MEDIA ADVISORY: MU to celebrate milestone in construction of new state-of-the-art plant research facility
Story Contact(s):
Austin Fitzgerald, fitzgeraldac@missouri.edu, 573-882-6217
WHAT: The University of Missouri will hold a topping off ceremony for the new East Campus Plant Growth Facility, celebrating the completion of the building’s framework.
The $28.2 million facility, funded by the university, will provide a major expansion of state-of-the-art research greenhouse and plant growth chamber facilities with controlled lighting, temperature, humidity and CO2 environments. The facility is expected to be completed by summer 2019.
The new facility will feature 22,880 square feet of research greenhouse space, broken into 24 compartments. Some of the greenhouse modules will have a plant growth height of up to 21 feet, 6 inches, which will be the tallest on the MU campus. There will also be 9,385 square feet of space for controlled environment growth chambers. The facility will include seed storage and drying rooms as well.
WHO: Speakers will include:
- Mun Choi, president, UM System
- Donald L. Cupps, curator emeritus, UM Board of Curators
- Latha Ramchand, executive vice chancellor and provost
- Christopher Daubert, vice chancellor and dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
- Patricia Okker, dean, College of Arts and Science
- Chris Chinn, director, Missouri Department of Agriculture
WHERE: 1140 East Campus Loop, Columbia, MO 65201, near the Animal Sciences Research Center
WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29
NOTE: Parking will be available in front of the building