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University of Idaho dean announces retirement; College of Agricultural and Life Sciences requests viticulture specialist and CAFE operating support
Summary
Dean Michael Perella told the House Agriculture Affairs Committee he will retire in June, reviewed recent growth at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and asked lawmakers to fund a Parma viticulture and small‑fruits specialist and 50% of Phase 1 operating funds for the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE).
Dean Michael Perella, head of the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, told the House Agriculture Affairs Committee that he has announced his retirement effective June and asked lawmakers to continue funding priorities that support the land‑grant mission.
Perella said the college has hired roughly 75 faculty during his nine‑year tenure, rebuilt multiple research facilities and maintained a statewide extension presence. He asked the committee to consider two requests in the college’s budget package: (1) a viticulture and small‑fruits research and extension specialist to be based at the Parma Research and Extension Center and (2) state support for operating funds for the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE). Perella said the college seeks 50% of Phase 1 operating dollars for CAFE and cited a $250,000 figure that follows a state board of education formula.
Why it matters: Perella framed the requests in the context of the college’s land‑grant obligations to deliver research, extension and workforce training across Idaho. He emphasized the role of research and extension in supporting farm productivity, rural economies and new industry development such as the state’s wine sector and dairy‑linked crop systems.
Key details from Perella’s presentation included that the college now has about 220 faculty (a majority off campus), nine research and extension centers, and extension support from counties totaling more than $6 million. He said Idaho 4‑H enrolls some 75,000 youth and is supported by about 2,000 volunteers. On Parma, Perella described stakeholder work beginning in 2018 that led to a rebuilt Parma facility and argued for additional specialist appointments because Idaho has multiple recognized wine regions and a growing grape/wine industry he estimated at about $357,000,000 in farm‑gate value.
On CAFE, Perella said the facility is planned to include a large‑scale dairy component and veterinarian rotations; he said partners requested a facility sized to support roughly a 2,000‑cow operation when fully built and that CAFE is intended to link livestock and crop production research (nutrient management, soil health, water efficiency). He described the college’s intent that the center be a regional hub for multiple institutions and partners, not solely a University of Idaho facility.
Committee members asked for context and thanked Perella for his service; Representative Shirts moved to approve the meeting minutes earlier in the session (see separate action record). Representative Miller, Representative Deggart and others asked about threats to productive agricultural land, workforce and the role of technology (including AI) in water and input efficiency. Perella said he was most concerned about long‑term loss of productive land and flat federal support for land‑grant and USDA programs.
Perella: "I have announced my retirement as of June of this year," and he told the committee the college is positioned to continue its work pending continued investment.
Ending: Perella concluded by offering to take questions and by thanking the committee for legislative support; committee members and attendees recognized his years of service.
