Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 36 : Spring 2018 | Page 25

UMPI Launches
Greenhouse
Fundraising
Campaign,
Announces New
Ag Sciences And
Agribusiness Degree
by University of Maine at Presque Isle
In its efforts to expand its Agricultural offerings and
meet the needs of the region’s agricultural industry,
the University of Maine at Presque Isle has launched
a fundraising campaign for the construction of a
$495,000, state-of-the-art teaching and research
greenhouse on campus and has announced plans for
the establishment of a stand-alone Bachelor’s degree
program in Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness
that will launch in Fall 2018.
Faculty and students in UMPI’s Agricultural
Sciences as well as its Environmental Science and
Sustainability programs will use the greenhouse
to support sustainable agricultural endeavors
and prepare skilled workers for one of Aroostook
County’s primary economic drivers. For example,
the new Agricultural Sciences program will be able
to focus on issues and problems facing local farmers
by combining current and existing research with
exceptional local expertise.
The primary focus of the greenhouse project right
now is fundraising, as $240,000 is needed to
complete the anticipated 2,400-square-foot, four
season greenhouse, which will include two research
labs, a teaching classroom and a faculty office. The
greenhouse’s state-of-the-art design features will
maximize energy and operational efficiency.
SPRING 2018
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