Introducing Agricultural Research Opportunities in Lincoln, Nebraska

With a focus on sustainable production strategies, including precision agriculture, the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture will be dedicated to researching how communities will sustainably and efficiently feed the growing population. With U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District as our client and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service the end users, the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska leased the land to the government, locating the center on Lincoln’s Nebraska Innovation Campus. The $160 million USDA-ARS laboratory will research how to improve water and climate resiliency, precision crop and animal production and digital agriculture at the Nebraska Innovation Campus. 

Exploring Modern Agricultural Innovation

To help create a dynamic research facility dedicated to exploring and solving challenges with 21st-century agricultural innovation, HDR is providing planning and design for two research buildings within the campus, enabling research that will serve as the catalyst for improved production and economic growth. The Innovation Campus will: 

• Comprise 15,000 gross square feet of new greenhouses and 10,000 gross square feet of new headhouse space, connected to the existing Greenhouse Innovation Center.
• In the future, feature a four-story, 120,000 gross-square-foot lab and office building dedicated to agricultural research.
• Double the number of Agriculture Research Services scientists in Lincoln to 150, including two new production and water/climate/resilience-focused research units.
• Create opportunities for collaboration between the USDA and various other entities at the university like the School of Computing, College of Engineering and the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center, considering the facility’s focus on national security.
   

Ushering in an Era of Impactful Research

The center will bring unique research opportunities for various faculty members and students at the Innovation Campus. With a greater focus on modern agricultural practices and future crop production, researchers will play a pivotal role in delivering innovative solutions to producers, consumers and rural economies grappling with various agricultural challenges.