University forestry research program asks for workforce manager to train students on new logging equipment

Kevin Campbell, the Legislative Services Office analyst, presented the budget for the Forest Utilization Research program (FUR), a special program associated with the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources. FUR has 13.28 authorized full‑time positions and had one half‑time vacancy at the time of the analyst’s sample, Campbell said.

Dean Dennis Becker, director of the program, told the workgroup FUR manages the University of Idaho experimental forest, tree farms, outdoor classrooms, a nursery and the Wildland Fire Center. Becker said the program recently purchased about $2 million in advanced logging technology with proceeds and private assistance and is requesting a workforce development manager "to supervise and train its student employees in the University of Idaho experimental forest." He described the request as aiming to convert newly acquired equipment into workforce training opportunities that prepare students for entries into the forest products industry.

Why it matters: FUR’s mission is both research and workforce development tied to the state’s forest and rangeland resources. Campbell said roughly 90% of FUR expenditures are employee wages and benefits and that the program has consistently spent its appropriations in recent years.

The committee did not take a vote in the presentation. Dean Becker thanked the committee and emphasized the role of the requested manager in maximizing the value of the $2 million equipment purchase and supporting student workforce training pipelines.

Ending: The program asked the committee to consider the FY2026 request for partial funding of the workforce development manager; committee members did not record a decision during the briefing and will discuss funding as part of the overall workgroup review.