Plant at Greenhouse Innovation Center

Greenhouse Innovation Center

The Greenhouse Innovation Center is 45,000 square feet of greenhouse and headhouse space. The facility features state-of-the-art computer environmental controls, a LemnaTec High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping system, and 22-foot eave heights to allow for optimal air circulation. The greenhouses are heated and cooled with sustainable energy. Tailored greenhouse services are available.

Play Video

Phase I includes 15,000 square feet of greenhouse space which can quickly and economically be expanded to 30,000 square feet.

At full build-out, the NIC Greenhouse Innovation Center will include 60,000 square feet of greenhouse space connected to 80,000 square feet of office and wet lab space.

Greenhouse Staff

Amy Hilske, Greenhouse Director

Amy Hilske Greenhouse Director

Amy Hilske is the Greenhouse Director at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Amy has expertise in growing a wide range of agronomic crops; corn, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, camelina, rice, arabidopsis, etc., in greenhouse and growth chamber applications. Amy is responsible for, in coordination with the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division and the UNL Faculty Greenhouse Committee, the operation of all greenhouse and shared plant growth chamber facilities across City, East and Nebraska Innovation Campuses. Previous to her current position, Amy managed UNL's George W. Beadle Greenhouse where she grew and managed genetically modified agronomic research crops for over 10 years. She has worked in greenhouse environments since 1994 as well has participated in undergraduate and graduate instruction.

Amy grew up on century owned family farm in southeast Minnesota. She earned her Master's Degree in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Amy is also a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Vincent Stoerger, Plant Phenotyping Facilities Manager

Vincent Stoerger Plant Phenotyping Facilities Manager

Vincent Stoerger is the Plant Phenotyping Facilities Manager at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Vincent is responsible for operating and maintaining the LemnaTec plant phenotyping systems at the Innovation Campus greenhouse and the Beadle greenhouse. He has experience performing molecular and physiological experiments on several species of plants including arabidopsis, sugar beets, rice, soybeans and miscanthus. He has mechanical experience with hydroponic plant growth systems, automobile and motorcycle maintenance, machining and welding. Vincent grew up in a small farming community in central Illinois. He earned a PhD in Botany specializing in Plant Molecular Biology at Colorado State University and has a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a Bachelors of Arts from Southeast Missouri State University.

Troy Pabst, Greenhouse Innovation Center (NIC) Manager

Troy Pabst Greenhouse Innovation Center Manager

Troy Pabst manages the greenhouse complex located on Nebraska Innovation Campus. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska. Troy retired from the Nebraska Army National Guard after serving for more than 30 years and enjoys traveling, working on his acreage and Farmall tractors.

For more information and leasing options, please contact:

Kate A. Engel
Interim Executive Director
Nebraska Innovation Campus

402-472-5535 · kate.engel@unl.edu