University of Idaho seeks viticulture specialist and maintenance funds for new dairy facility

Michael Perella, dean of the University of Idaho's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, asked the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee on Feb. 1 to fund a viticulture and small-fruits research and extension specialist at Parma and to provide building maintenance funding for the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, a research dairy under construction in Rupert.

Perella framed the requests in the college's land-grant mission, tracing the college's history to the Morrill Act of 1862 and noting subsequent federal laws that created experiment stations and cooperative extension. "We are the beneficiary of that," Perella said, summarizing the college's research and outreach obligations.

Why it matters: Perella told the committee the viticulture position would support a growing wine-grape industry across multiple American Viticultural Areas in Idaho by providing site-specific applied research and extension support for growers. He also asked for maintenance funding so the research dairy in Rupert ' where the rotary milking parlor is finished ' can begin operations and deliver applied research.

Perella described the college's statewide research footprint: 10 research and extension centers that focus on breading programs (potato, wheat, canola) and crop- and region-specific work in Aberdeen, Kimberly and Parma. "By the time you come up with a new cultivar and get it approved by McDonald's, there is at least a 10 year time frame that's involved in that evaluation," Perella said, noting Idaho-developed potato cultivars already accepted by McDonald's.

On viticulture, Perella said Idaho now has six distinct wine-growing regions and three federally recognized AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), and that growers need localized guidance. "We are requesting a viticulture and small fruits research and extension specialist position located at Parma to reinforce the burgeoning wine grape industry that we have in the state," he told the panel. The request is included in the governor's budget, Perella said; he did not specify a dollar amount.

About the dairy facility, Perella said construction of the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment is advanced: the rotary milking parlor is done and the college plans to be milking cows "in hopefully a little less than a year from now." He urged committee members to consider operating and maintenance funding to make the facility productive for statewide research and extension.

Committee members asked questions about the dairy and broader industry trends. Senator Taylor commented that he had visited the dairy site and said he was glad to see the project on track. Senator Van Orden asked where Perella saw industry expansion; Perella cited viticulture and rotational crops (including a cautious reference to hemp) as potential areas of growth.

Perella also reviewed the college's programming beyond production agriculture, listing agricultural education, leadership and communications, agricultural economics, early childhood development, nutrition and extension programs such as 4-H and Idaho Master Gardeners. He highlighted county extension offices and research-extension linkages across the state.

Perella closed by reiterating the staffing and maintenance requests and offered to provide additional information if the committee had follow-ups.

Ending: The committee did not take a vote on funding during the hearing; Perella's requests remain budget items for the legislature to consider during the appropriation process. The dean said he would provide updates as the budget process progresses.