Department of Biological Science

FSU Mission Road and King Greenhouse Facilities Policies

1. Purpose and Description

   1. The Mission Road Complex was originally established by the American Tobacco Company many years ago and included the headhouse and greenhouses and some 1.5 acres for crops. The greenhouses were completely renovated in about 1994 using a facilities grant from the National Science Foundation to T. Miller and G. Bates. They consist of 3 houses, each with approximately 1000 ft2 of bench space, depending on the bench arrangements. They are attached to a headhouse, with living quarters overhead for the Greenhouse Facilities Manager. All of the greenhouse space is cooled with a pad-and-fan evaporative system and steam heated during the winter. One greenhouse room is dedicated to teaching; the remaining two rooms are used for research.
   2. The Mission Road New Greenhouses were constructed in 1994 using the same NSF facilities grant. There are 4 houses, each with approximately 350 ft2 of bench space, all heated and cooled using 4 large heat pump units per room. This area is used only for research.
   3. The King Building Greenhouses are located on the 5th floor (roof) area of the King Building and were constructed with the building in 2010. They are cooled with a pad and fan evaporative system and heated with steam. There are four rooms, each with approximately 340 ft2 of bench space. One of the four rooms is dedicated to teaching, while the other three are used for research.

2. Space Allocation

   1. The Greenhouse Facilities Manager (Theresa Jepsen) must be made aware of all space request needs, preferably as far in advance as possible. Space assignments are for a maximum of one year, after which a new request must be submitted. Requests for greenhouse space should be made two weeks in advance, and requests for field space should be made at least one month in advance. Theresa is available by cell phone (850-661-8514), or e-mail (tjepsen@bio.fsu.edu). Calling is the best way to contact Theresa on short notice. The Greenhouse Facilities Manager's residence is above the headhouse of the Mission Road Research Facility.
   2. Greenhouse and field space must be requested BEFORE use by submitting a Greenhouse/Field Space Request Form on the Biology web page, under Resource Guide - (http://www.bio.fsu.edu/greenhouse_space_request_form.php). Requests must be accompanied with start and estimated completion dates, as well as information on how the space will be funded. Any special requirements or concerns should be included in the Space Request Form and discussed with the Greenhouse Facilities Manager at this time. Any delays, or anticipated delays, in the startup or completion of a project should be discussed with the Greenhouse Facilities Manager as soon as possible. Researchers must inform the Greenhouse Facilities Manager in writing when they have vacated the space.
   3. Due to the high turnover associated with research, any project that temporarily vacates field or greenhouse space for a span of less than three months (with the intent to use the same space again) may be charged for the intervening time unless you have made prior arrangements in writing with the Greenhouse Facilities Manager. An attempt will be made to rent the space during the interim to another user if possible, but since most projects are not that short-term, the original occupant will likely have to pay for having the space on hold for them during that period. This is also pertinent if special equipment or conditions prevent the space from being rented to another user.
   4. Requests are considered on a first-come/first-served basis. Priority will be given to faculty and graduate students of the Department of Biological Science at FSU. Researchers should contact the Greenhouse Facilities Manager to request space well in advance of their anticipated start date, since space is limited and may not be available when needed.
   5. Any investigator who wants to use an air-conditioned greenhouse or supplemental lighting must demonstrate a need to conduct plant research with these more expensive facilities.
   6. Problems regarding space allocation will be brought to the Chair of Biological Science via the Greenhouse Facilities Manager.

3. Charges for Greenhouse and Field Use

   1. The greenhouses have a two-tier charge system.
      1. Basic services will be provided for $2.40 per ft2 of bench space per year or 0.20 per ft2 per month. This will include watering by the greenhouse facilities staff, pots, pesticide when judged necessary by the greenhouse facilities staff, and, if appropriate, lights and temperature-controlled space. Users would be required to provide their own soil and fertilizer.
      2. Adding soil and fertilizer to the basic services will result in a total charge of $3.60 per ft2 per year or 0.30 per ft2 per month. This would include any standard soil mix and fertilizers higher grade or specialty fertilizers or will require extra charges (the need for specialty soils, fertilizers, or pest management tactics such as beneficial insects, must be included on the Space Request Form, with indication of how they will be paid for).
   2. The field space has a three-tier charge system.
      1. Basic services will be provided at no charge. Basic services include any area prep (mowing, plowing) by the greenhouse facilities staff. Basic services do not include any regular maintenance such as watering by greenhouse facilities staff, or materials such as pots, weed mat, fertilizer, and insecticide.
      2. Agricultural level services (for irrigated field space) will be provided at a rate of $0.007 per ft2 per year (this is equal to $305 per acre or $3.13 per row @ 97 rows per acre per year). This rate includes fertilizer, insecticide, pesticide (Round Up), and irrigation supplies and services. Users would be responsible for extras such as soil tests, and soil enhancements including lime or compost. These types of needs should be included on the Space Request Form so the greenhouse facilities staff can properly assist.
      3. Additional field services will be provided at a minimum rate of 0.02 per ft2 per month. This includes space on weed mat, and if needed watering by the greenhouse facilities staff, soil, pots, and fertilizer. All other outdoor space is included in this category; unique needs must be communicated on the Space Request Form.
   3. A Space Request Form must be completed before any space can be occupied. Minimum greenhouse charges are for one month; minimum field charges are generally for a full year. Charges begin on the first day for which space has been reserved whether or not the project has begun to use the space. Any research work that prevents the use of a space by other investigators (such as insect feeding trials) will be charged for the entire space.
   4. Users must provide a grant number for all charges when projects are initiated. If funds are not available, users may request basic greenhouse space and basic field services from the Greenhouse Facilities Manager. If added greenhouse or field services are needed, the Chair must approve a fee waiver.
   5. The Greenhouse Facilities Manager will be responsible for initiating a charge sheet when projects are initiated and submitting charges monthly to the business office of the Department of Biological Sciences.

4. Access and Security

   1. Normal working hours for both the Mission Road Research Facility and King Greenhouses are 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, except on US Holidays and other days the University is declared official closed. All other times are considered after hours.

      AFTER HOURS NOTIFICATION POLICY: Access to the Mission Road Research Facility outside normal working hours is available anytime; however you are required to notify the Greenhouse Facilities Manager in advance. You may email tjepsen@bio.fsu.edu during normal working hours or text 850-661-8514 at any time at least 20 minutes prior to your arrival a confirmation acknowledging your notification is not required. For security purposes please keep the Greenhouse Facilities Manager notified of any change in plans. During times of frequent after hours use, you may email a specific schedule to the Greenhouse Facilities Manager. Please do your best to keep the Greenhouse Facilities Manager accurately informed of all after hours use at the Mission Road Research Facility.

   2. The Mission Road Research Facility main gate is kept closed at all times. Access should be requested by completing the Property Access Form Card Access on the Biology website under Resource Guide. Access cards should not be loaned to any unauthorized individuals to access the facility. A pin pad is also present at the gate in the event the card swipe is not working properly; however you should always use your card when it is available. Please contact the Greenhouse Facilities Manager for the pin pad code should the card swipe not be working. Problems with the card swipe, pin pad, or gate should be reported to the Greenhouse Facilities Manager immediately.
   3. The Mission Road Research Facility Headhouse doors are locked after hours. Faculty may obtain a key by completing the Property Access Form Key Requests on the Biology website under Resource Guide. Doors should always be left locked after hours. Individuals without keys may access the headhouse after hours by making arrangements with the Greenhouse Facilities Manager.

5. Project Requirements

   1. All first time users of the Mission Road or King facilities are required to schedule an orientation to the facility with the Greenhouse Facilities Manager. The session will provide an overview of the facility and available services, and an introduction to WPS (Worker Protection Standards), emergency response plan, and other safety issues pertinent to the Mission Road facilities. In addition, the Policies and Procedures will be reviewed. Other topics will be addressed as needed, or upon request, such as: correct procedures for soil sterilization or pasteurization, disease and pest avoidance control, and use of the environmental control systems in the facility.
   2. Greenhouse and field supplies required for a project should be requested as soon as possible to greenhouse facilities staff, and included in the Space Request Form. Request forms should be submitted far enough in advance to allow time to order and receive supplies if necessary.
   3. The greenhouse maintains an inventory of most standard size plastic pots, heavy duty Dyna-flats, labels, basic media, including potting mixes Fafard #3, and Fafard #52, and some amendments (sand, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite). King Greenhouse users need to notify the Greenhouse Facilities Manager through email at least 24 hours in advance to have materials moved from Mission Road.
   4. Acquisition of non-standard plant containers or other specialized supplies required for a project should be included in your Space Request Form and discussed with the Greenhouse Facilities Manager prior to starting your project.

6. Project Assistance and Responsibility

   1. The greenhouse fees include labor encompassing plant care 365 days a year, monitoring for pest and disease, equipment upkeep, and sanitary conditions, however users are also responsible for being involved and committed to the welfare of their project. Close communication with the greenhouse facilities staff is strongly recommended, and benefits both the user and the greenhouse facilities staff.
   2. The greenhouse facilities staff is responsible for keeping all supplies, such as pots, soils, and fertilizer, on hand in both Mission Road and King facilities. However, the users are responsible for communicating their needs to the greenhouse facilities staff in advance. This helps eliminate the possibility that someone else uses supplies that were brought for you.
   3. Bench height, supplemental lighting, shade-cloth, and time clocks will be adjusted to project needs to the extent reasonably allowable. As the electrical capacity can vary considerably between houses, providing complete information on the Space Request Form regarding supplemental lighting needs is very important.
   4. The greenhouse facilities staff is available to assist with problems or special needs that arise during the course of a project.
   5. Only greenhouse or Mission Road field-related research materials may be stored in the headhouse or storage areas of Mission Road or the King greenhouses. No materials or equipment may be stored in the headhouse without permission from the Greenhouse Facilities Manager. Under no circumstances may researchers store materials on usable bench space.
   6. Headhouse space is common space. Work space and sink areas used by researchers should be cleaned up immediately after use and all general greenhouse equipment returned promptly, in a clean condition. The users, NOT the greenhouse facilities staff, are responsible for keeping work, greenhouse, and storage areas clean and orderly.
   7. The greenhouse facilities staff are responsible for keeping cleaning supplies available for users. Please let the greenhouse facilities staff know when you have used the last of something, or if you need something that you do not see available.
   8. Both Mission Road and King greenhouses have available a variety of equipment, tools and supplies for use by researchers at the greenhouses. Examples include carts, wheelbarrows, soil mixers, hand sprayers, hoses, hose extensions, shut-off valves, nozzles, watering cans, trash cans, ladders, miscellaneous hand tools, etc. Equipment should be returned promptly, clean and ready for the next user. Users may be required to pay to replace broken equipment.
   9. Greenhouses are routinely visited by greenhouse facilities staff to check for proper operation of the heating and venting systems, evaporative cooling systems, air conditioning units, broken or slipped glass and overall condition of plant materials, however if you see something out of place communicate this to the Greenhouse Facilities Manager as soon as possible.
   10. At the termination of their project, researchers are responsible for removing, discarding and/or returning all equipment, materials, supplies and rubbish from greenhouse and field space as soon as possible. Dispose of soil in containers marked used soil and place dirty pots in the appropriate place. Floors and benches must be cleaned of plant debris. Cleanup time should be figured into the time requested on the Space Request Form. Arrange a final check-out with the Greenhouse Facilities Manager. Upon project completion, if space is not adequately emptied and cleaned, the researcher will be notified and given five (5) working days to complete termination of their project. After the five (5) days, greenhouse facilities staff will perform the work and the user's greenhouse privileges will be suspended.
   11. Greenhouse space may not be used for propagating or producing plants for personal or private use.
   12. Tours of the greenhouse complex can be arranged for visiting researchers, community or school groups, with advance written notice.