The $5.3 million Plant Growth Center opened in the spring of 1987, funded via the legislative efforts of local farmers, ranchers, and MSU representatives, making its construction a true community effort. The building includes twenty-nine research greenhouse bays, a 2880-square-foot multi-user greenhouse, a pathology isolation wing, an insect quarantine lab, and dozens of individual growth chambers. The Plant Growth Center hosts a wide range of users representing multiple departments and colleges across Montana State University, from crop breeding programs, pathogen research, insect ecology, mycology research- to external third parties such as the Audubon Society.

The research conducted in the Plant Growth Center supports not just the campus community but Montana’s broader agricultural industry. Lines of wheat, barley, and pulse crops from MSU’s breeding programs are developed and evaluated in the Plant Growth Center's greenhouses. The Seed Potato Certification Lab, housed on the second floor of the building, works directly with producers to provide disease testing and certification services for Montana’s thriving seed potato industry. And the Insect Quarantine Lab, the only USDA-approved quarantine laboratory in the state of Montana, conducts research on biological control agents that are used across the state to control invasive noxious weeds and insect pests.

The discoveries from within the PGC alongside other MSU facilities are then disseminated across the state and beyond via the MSU Extension network.

User Requests

Space Availability Map: Live map of available spaces for use within the PGC.

Research Space Request: Users must create a new login and password the first time they use the form.

Space Request for MSU Courses: Request growing space for class projects (for professors and instructors only). 

Pesticide Request: Request treatment for pest or disease issues in a growing space. 

Facility Details

Growing Facilities: Descriptions of the PGC greenhouses, growth chambers, growth rooms, plant pathology isolation units and quarantine facilities.

Specifications: Details on supplemental lights, growing media, and suppliers utilized. Authors should look here for details required for publications.

Teaching Facilities & Classroom Schedule: Classroom facilities, scheduling, and audio/visual equipment options.

Resources for Facility Users

Policy Manual: Details on the management of the PGC, services provided by the PGC staff, and PGC rules and operating procedures.

PGC Primer: An introduction to greenhouse growing techniques and problem solving for all PGC users.

Pest and Disease Identification: A quick guide to identifying common greenhouse insect pests and diseases.

Transgenic Plant Materials: Policy & compliance regarding research involving transgenic plant materials.

Comments & Recommendations

General Comment Form: PGC Users can provide comments and recommendations using this form.

PGC Staff

Connor Schmitz, Plant Growth Center Manager
connor.schmitz@montana.edu

Allison Rognlie, Assistant Manager
allison.rognlie@montana.edu

 

For general inquiries, please contact the Plant Growth Center management team at pgc@montana.edu or by phone at 406-994-2231.