University of Idaho agricultural research and extension presents FY2026 requests; dean announces retirement

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 10 received an overview of the University of Idaho—s Agricultural Research and Extension Service (Service) FY2026 base budget and requests, and learned that Dean Michael Perella will retire in June after nine years leading the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).

Kevin Campbell, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, said the service has a physical presence in 42 of Idaho—s 44 counties and three recognized tribal communities and includes 10 research and extension centers with access to roughly 14,000 acres for research. "The service typically spends at or around 100% of appropriations," Campbell said, and noted personnel account for about 81% of the service—s expenditures.

Perella, dean of the college, told committee members the college has used recent appropriations to replace aging infrastructure and hire early- and mid-career faculty. "Your investments have inspired many stakeholders to increase their support for our research and extension priorities," Perella said, adding that the college leverages state support to secure nationally competitive grants and private funding.

The service asked for FY2026 appropriations including $157,900 ongoing for a viticulture and small-fruits research faculty position and $250,100 for building maintenance at the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment. Campbell told the committee that the viticulture and small-fruits position would address grower-identified needs such as disease prevention, water and pest management, and post-harvest storage practices for grapes and small fruits.

Perella highlighted the Service and extension—s statewide reach and outcomes: extension staff recorded more than 450,000 face-to-face contacts with Idahoans and engaged over 75,000 youth in 4-H programs last year. He also described an ongoing emphasis on nutrition, healthy soils, water-use efficiency and plant-breeding programs. "I believe that's the future," Perella said when asked about nutrition-related research, adding that new facilities such as the Idaho Center for Plant and Soil Health at Parma enhance research capacity.

Committee members asked about a $142,000 ARPA-funded adult computer-literacy initiative to support digital inclusion in rural communities. Perella and his staff said the work supports extension—s community and family focus, and noted the college has applied for a federal FCC funding opportunity: a $13 million award the college helped assemble as part of a broader multi-institution proposal to address the digital divide.

Senators and representatives asked for more detailed breakdowns of personnel-related appropriations, particularly how much of personnel spending is centrally budgeted by the Service and how much is expended through partner institutions such as technical colleges or the colleges' extension offices. Perella and his staff told members they would provide additional detail on personnel distribution and oversight.

Perella closed by thanking the legislature and governor for funding that has supported new facilities and faculty hires. "We are proud of the quality and impact of the research we conduct, the students we train, and the unbiased information we deliver to the citizens of Idaho," he said. No formal committee action was taken during the presentation.