University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences dean announces retirement, outlines program priorities and budget requests

Dean Michael Perella, the head of the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, told the Idaho House Agricultural Affairs Committee on Feb. 24 that he has announced his retirement effective June and outlined the college’s statewide programs, personnel gains and two funding requests for the coming year.

Perella said the college has hired about 75 new faculty during his nine-year tenure and now operates nine research and extension centers across the state. “I have announced my retirement as of June of this year,” Perella said. He described the land‑grant mission that guides the college’s research, extension and teaching work, and emphasized the college’s role in crop breeding, livestock systems and youth programs such as Idaho 4‑H.

The dean asked the committee to consider two enhancement requests. The first would fund a viticulture and small‑fruits research and extension specialist based at the…