UI agricultural research and extension seeks targeted hires, maintenance funding; dean announces retirement

University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences leaders told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Feb. 10 that their FY2026 requests include a $157,900 viticulture and small‑fruits research faculty position and $250,100 for maintenance at the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment.

Kevin Campbell, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, opened the presentation with a five‑year budget and expenditure overview for the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station and extension service, noting that roughly 81% of the service’s expenditures are personnel costs and that the service operates research and extension centers with access to more than 14,000 acres of land for research.

Why it matters: The college and extension network have a presence in nearly every Idaho county, and their research and outreach activities affect producers, rural communities and workforce development. Committee members asked for outcomes, program details and rationale for continued state support of new…