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UNL Chancellor says USDA, NU Research facility moving at ‘rapid’ pace

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor says ‘rapid’ progress continues in developing a one-of-a-kind, on campus USDA research facility.

Ronnie Green tells Brownfield funding for the National Center for Regenerative Precision Agriculture is being secured in the next federal budget cycle. “First, planning funding for that was put into this year’s budget – $11.2 million in planning funding.  We are now in the process of getting the next level of funding for this center.”

In December, Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, secured the money as part of an omnibus appropriations bill. 

Green says the center will focus on how to make the industry more efficient through emerging precision agriculture technology. “We’re busy planning what that specific scope of that center will be with USDA and the Agriculture Research Service.”

Green says the center should open in the next three years, which is uncommon for a facility with that scale and size, “having this level of speed moving in this direction is – I won’t say unprecedented – but it’s close.” Green says.

The $120 million center will be at Innovation Campus with 50 federal scientists stationed their partnered with UNL faculty, students and staff.

Green’s full interview: