University of Idaho Ag Research, Extension Ask for Ongoing Positions; Dean to Retire After Nine Years

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 10 heard an overview of Idaho’s Agricultural Research and Extension Service and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ FY2026 requests, and received an update from Dean Michael Perella, who told the committee he will retire in June after nine years as dean.

Kevin Campbell of the Legislative Services Office presented the service’s budget history and recent appropriations. Dean Perella and college staff described recent hires, new facilities and specific FY2026 requests, including an ongoing $157,900 request for a viticulture and small-fruits research faculty position and $250,100 proposed to cover part of building maintenance costs at the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

Perella said the viticulture hire would respond to growers’ needs for research on disease prevention, water and pest management and post-harvest storage for grapes and small fruits — a “rapidly…