UMPI doubles down on agriculture offerings, will open research greenhouse

Photo / Courtesy UMPI “Whether our students are from Maine, another state, or another country, we strive to provide them with a high quality and incredibly affordable education ... ," UMPI President Raymond J. Rice said about a U.S. News and World Report ranking about affordable tuition for international students.

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The University of Maine at Presque Isle will begin offering a bachelor’s degree in agriculture this fall and open a research greenhouse, says a report on The County website of the Aroostook Republican, the Houlton Pioneer Times and The Star-Herald

While UMPI already offers agriculture-related classes, the school will offer a bachelor of science degree that covers the multidisciplinary nature of modern farming, UMPI President Ray Rice said at a March 7 event.

He said the degree program will include courses in agricultural science as well as technology and business

“We have four or five business courses that we’re designing new to really serve emerging business needs in management and decision analytics,” he said.

Students will also be able to participate in research projects at the new 2,400-square foot greenhouse to be built at a total cost of $450,000.

The building, which will have two separate climate-controlled sections that can support two research projects and teaching at the same time, is to be named after Don and Linda Zillman, who donated $100,000 to the project.

Don Zillman is a University of Maine School of Law professor and former dean who served as UMPI president from 2006-2012.