UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers and SNRAS Dean Carol Lewis cut the ribbon at the new greenhouse Nov. 22. In the middle is Murray Richmond, aide to Sen. Joe Thomas, and at right is Jack Wilbur of Design Alaska.“Twenty-eight weeks ago we put the shovel in the ground,” said Jim Mitchell, Ghemm Co. project manager. “It’s been a team effort and a really interesting project. It was unique and it had its challenges.”
The week prior to the dedication ceremony, Fairbanks temperatures held at -40 degrees for days and the greenhouse maintained 75 degrees throughout the bitter cold. “It was a good test run,” Mitchell said.
“This is an exciting day for the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and for UAF,” Chancellor Brian Rogers said. “This has been a fast-track project.”
Calling the greenhouse a critical component of SNRAS’s horticulture program, Rogers said the new facility increases the teaching and research space from what was available in the old greenhouse, removed in the spring to make room for the Life Sciences Building.
While some people questioned the cost of the facility, Rogers assured the doubters that this is not just a simple greenhouse due to the state-of-the-art climate control system. “We’ll be able to reach out to communities, help in the drive for food security, extend the growing season and create new economic opportunities,” Rogers said.
He recognized the school’s partners, Pike’s Landing and Chena Hot Springs Resort, and thanked Ghemm Co. and Design Alaska. “They put the work into this to make it succeed.”
Chena Hot Springs Resort owner Bernie Karl praised local hire for getting the job done so efficiently. “The difference between good and excellent is 5 percent,” Karl said. “The extra 5 percent has been put into this job. Take a look at the mechanical work; it is a work of art.”
Student regent Mari Freitag said, “This facility is a model of connectivity. A research greenhouse is critical to provide producers with information. This will enable students to move into modern greenhouse jobs.”
Murray Richmond, legislative aide for Sen. Joe Thomas, read remarks sent by the senator. “Alaska agriculture sounds like an oxymoron to some people,” he said. “But they don’t know Alaska. We are the only people who would dedicate a greenhouse when it is 18 below zero.”
“The work you do here is important. You are coming up with solutions. This project is true to the spirit of Alaska. We will find a way.”
Fred Schlutt, director of the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, extolled the 80-year history CES and SNRAS have of working together and said, “Controlled environments are an area that will help expand agriculture in this state. It will bring information to help the state become more self-sufficient in agriculture.”
Carol Lewis, dean of SNRAS and director of the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said controlled environments are the future of agriculture in Alaska. The new greenhouse will present many wonderful opportunities, she said. “It’s going to be innovative and great fun.”
She lauded Ghemm Co. “You made it happen,” she said. The company employed 189 workers, and no accidents occurred throughout the construction; 32 sub-contractors were also hired.
The downstairs portion of the complex, containing three greenhouse modules, remains to be finished, and Rogers said he is committed to completing the project as soon as possible. He has set aside about half of the $500,000 it will take to do the job. “This entire project provides space for cutting edge research,” he said.
Horticulturists plan to be moved into the greenhouse by the time spring semester begins.
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