USDA Awards More Than $16.2M for Michigan State University (MSU) Greenhouse Renovations

Photo by Milada Vigerova

The upgrade efforts, which will help researchers advance solutions to some of agriculture’s toughest challenges, will also receive matching funds from MSU that create $32.5M in new support.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Through the Research Facilities Act Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) has awarded more than $16.2 million for Michigan State University’s ongoing Plant Science Research Greenhouse Complex renovations.

Per the program’s requirements, MSU is providing matching funds to create more than $32.5 million in new support for the project.

The Research Facilities Act Program provides financial assistance to institutions for the construction, alteration or modernization of research facilities that host basic, applied and developmental agricultural research.

The program places an emphasis on infrastructure that promotes research, teaching and extension activities that enable the training of future researchers and professionals in a wide range of agricultural industries. Program priorities focus on themes such as advancing agricultural productivity and profitability, supporting domestic agricultural markets, promoting sustainable resource use, and enhancing resilience against insects, diseases and environmental pressures.

“The USDA NIFA funding will allow our researchers, staff and students to benefit from high-quality greenhouse facilities, and we’re grateful to USDA for recognizing the importance of this project,” said Matt Daum, associate provost and dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). “We also appreciate the tremendous role our partners have played in securing funding, including legislators at the federal and state levels, as well as our agriculture commodity organizations, business leaders and Michigan’s farmers.”

To date, roughly $35 million from the State of Michigan and MSU units,

has led to new construction and renovation of about 60% of the research greenhouses, including a new headhouse, environmental control systems, LED lighting, glazing panels and taller ceilings for larger crops. Upon completion of the latest project phase in April 2026, however, 40% of the greenhouses have received little to no updates.

When USDA NIFA announced a request for proposals through the Research Facilities Act Program in June, MSU leaders saw great opportunity to enhance the greenhouses for the more than 400 users in CANR and the College of Natural Science.

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Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and agriculture to natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.