Horticulture Center and Research Greenhouse

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Last Updated: May 21, 2025, 10:15 AM

SIU Horticulture Class

Contact Information

John Miller
Greenhouse Manager
jwmiller@siu.edu 

Erik Larsen
Senior Agricultural Research Technician
elarsen@siu.edu 

Location: 
599 Rowden Rd. 
Carbondale, IL 62903 

The Horticulture Center is part of the University Farms system and is located approximately three miles west of the main campus. Used extensively for both research and teaching, the Horticulture Center includes space for small and large plot horticultural crop research in addition to some crop production acreage. Ongoing research activities encompass a wide array of areas, including vegetable breeding and production; tree fruit and small production; and soil physics and fertility. 

At the Horticulture Center the Research Greenhouses are also housed which include 5 ranges. Facilities are utilized for biotechnology projects, industrial hemp research, vegetable breeding, weed science, nematology, and plant pathology.  View the 

Plot Request Form

Greenhouse Space Request Forms 

 

Research Fee Structure

  • All fees collected will be deposited into the specific Center account to be used for operational expenses such as salaries of staff, buying supplies, equipment repair and maintenance, and new equipment purchases/rentals.
  • Deadline to pay Fees will be February 29th unless prior arrangements have been made.
  • Previous years fees must be paid in full before any new work requests at any center will be approved.
  • Disputed fees must be discussed with the center manager to reconcile. If fees are still not agreed upon then the Director of the University farms will mediate and make a final decision.
  • Failure or refusal to pay fees will result in the Dean of CALPS choosing a BP of the PI and transferring the funds to the proper University Farms BP.

  • Horticultural Research Center

    1. The Basic Fee for HRC service is $300.00 per acre. It is for acres that will not require HRC staff labor above the basic HRC equipment and fuel usage. It is for acres that do not produce a harvestable, marketable crop. If HRC staff labor will be needed the Standard Fee will be applied.
    2. The Standard Fee for HRC service is $500.00 per acre. This fee will include weed management prior to making beds, mechanical pest management, and deposal of plastic, plant material and crop destruct harvesting. This is for acres that will require HRC staff labor and is in addition to the Basic Fee for HRC equipment and fuel usage. Any labor needs extending beyond those included in the Standard Fee must be approved by the Center Manager and University Farm Director.
    3. Plot requests and work order requests must be filled out and approved by the Center Manager and University Farm Director BEFORE work can begin, regardless of the Fee Structure. This means if labor will not be needed from the HRC, it still must be approved.
    4. Deadline for plot requests is March 30th. Request after deadline will be approved at the discretion of Center Manager and University Farm Director.
    5. Rental equipment used by programs will be billed the hourly rate paid by the center.

  • Research Greenhouses

    1. The Basic Fee for HRC Greenhouse service is $4.00 per square foot per year. It is for use of bench space that includes heating and cooling with existing units, pest control (insecticides and fungicides), aid with setup and takedown, disposal of materials and weed control in floor areas (not pots). This fee does not include supplies and materials. All supplies and materials must be supplied by the research group PI.
    2. There is an added fee for watering and fertilization. The watering fee is an added $1.00 per square foot per year. The fertilization fee is $1.00 per square foot per year.
    3. A Basic Soil Mixing and Steaming Fee is $100.00 per cart. This fee is for soil mixing and steaming that does not include HRC Greenhouse staff labor. Research groups must supply their own labor. This fee includes soil materials, kerosene to run the steamer, basic use of equipment including tractor, soil shredder, steamer, and steam cart in addition to management oversight of the steaming process.
    4. A Standard Soil Mixing and Steaming Fee is $300.00 per cart. This fee is for soil mixing and steaming that requires HRC greenhouse staff labor to make the soil. This fee includes soil materials, kerosene to run the steamer, basic use of equipment including tractor, soil shredder, steamer, and steam cart in addition to Management oversight of the steaming process.
    5. Bench space and soil steaming requests must be filled out and approved by the Center Manager and University Farm Director BEFORE work can begin, regardless of the Fee Structure.
    6. Research groups can reserve greenhouse space for an entire year by paying an annual fee OR can be charged on a semester basis.