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University forest program asks for workforce manager to train students on $2 million logging equipment
Summary
The Forest Utilization Research Program at the University of Idaho requested partial FY2026 funding for a workforce development manager to supervise training on recently acquired advanced logging technology, arguing the equipment cannot be used to its full potential without dedicated staff.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard a request Thursday from the University of Idaho’s Forest Utilization Research Program for partial funding to hire a workforce development manager who would supervise and train student employees on new, advanced forestry equipment.
Kevin Campbell, a Legislative Services Office analyst, told the committee that the Forest Utilization Research Program (FURP) is part of the University of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources and has 13.28 authorized full‑time positions with about a half‑FTE vacant. He said roughly 90% of FURP’s expenditures are for wages and benefits.
Dennis Becker, dean of the College of Natural Resources and director of the Forest Utilization Research Program, said the program recently purchased about $2 million in advanced logging technology "with our logging proceeds and with some assistance from private industry" and that the requested workforce development manager is needed to train students to use the equipment.
"This workforce development manager that we're asking for…and thank you for the governor for the recommendation, with your support, we'll help our students," Becker told the committee, adding the position would help the program expand hands‑on workforce training on the University of Idaho experimental forest and associated facilities.
Background: FURP manages the university's experimental forest properties, forest tree farms, a tree nursery and projects such as the Mica Creek Watershed Project. The program also operates a recently created Wildland Fire Center and has expanded responsibilities tied to workforce development.
Budget history and request: Mr. Campbell said FURP had no ongoing enhancements in FY2022 and FY2023; it received $18,200 ongoing in FY2024 for personnel costs at the Wildland Fire Center and in FY2025 received funding for a half FTE administrative specialist to serve the program’s Boise location. For FY2026, FURP seeks partial funding for a workforce development manager to supervise and train student employees on the program’s newly acquired advanced forestry equipment.
Why it matters: Becker told the committee the new equipment requires trained operators and additional supervision and that the proposed manager would help convert the equipment investment into workforce-ready graduates for Idaho’s forest products industry.
Next steps: The program thanked the committee for its time and said it would provide additional information as requested; the committee did not take formal action during the hearing.
