Our Team

Amy Hilske is the Greenhouse Director at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Amy has expertise in growing a wide range of agronomic crops; corn, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, camelina, rice, arabidopsis, etc., in greenhouse and growth chamber applications. Amy is responsible for, in coordination with the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division and the UNL Plant Growth Facilities Faculty Advisory Committee, the operation of all greenhouse and shared plant growth chamber facilities across City, East and Nebraska Innovation Campuses. Previous to her current position, Amy managed UNL's George W. Beadle Greenhouse where she grew and managed genetically modified agronomic research crops for over 10 years. She has worked in greenhouse environments since 1994 as well has participated in undergraduate and graduate instruction.

Amy grew up on century owned family farm in southeast Minnesota. She earned her Master's Degree in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Amy is also a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Samantha has been working at the Beadle Center Greenhouses on UNL’s campus for 17 years.  Samantha has a Bachelor’s of Science in Horticulture from UNL.  Samantha’s hobbies include running, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Jeff started his position as Greenhouse Manager located on East Campus in the fall of 2015. Previously Jeff had worked in the Agronomy Horticulture Department with Turfgrass Research for 25 years. Jeff received his Bachelors of Science in Horticulture with a Business Minor from UNL. During his spare time, Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Donn has been the Greenhouse Manager and the Computer Support Person for the Plant Pathology Department at UNL for 31 years. Donn has a Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s degree in Horticulture from Kansas State University. Donn’s hobbies are plant breeding and computer building.

Troy manages the greenhouse complex located on Nebraska Innovation Campus.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska.
Troy retired from the Nebraska Army National Guard after serving for more than 30 years and enjoys traveling, working on his acreage, and Farmall tractors.

Kandy is a Greenhouse Technician at the Beadle Center Greenhouses.  She assists with watering & maintenance of plant material, planting of daily research material as well as needed class material, and assisting researchers and students.  Kandy received her Bachelor’s degree in horticulture with an emphasis on Landscape Design from UNL. When she is not at work, she likes to spend time with family, crocheting and needlepoint, and fishing & hunting.

Cole is a Greenhouse Technician on East Campus and primarily assists with managing the Plant Pathology & Horticulture Greenhouses.  You can find him making the daily watering rounds, building greenhouse benches, or suited up for the occasional pesticide application.  Cole has a Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass and Landscape Management from UNL.  When not in the greenhouse, he enjoys going for runs, landscape work, and watching the Royals.

David Orr is a Greenhouse Technician at the East Campus Greenhouses.  He assists Jeff with greenhouse pesticide applications, soil mix preparation, lighting installation, and preparing greenhouse class materials for teaching lab projects. During his free time he enjoys camping, fishing, and traveling with friends and family.