02/14/07 Research center at U/I

The "newest" research center at the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences encompasses 1,200 acres of cropland, greenhouses, barns and laboratories. The new Palouse Research, Extension and Education Center will encompass two campus research farms and two others near Moscow and Genesee. Weed science professor Donn Thill is the superintendent of the new center which will educate students. THILL "The facilities at the center are used for a lot of different classes. Laboratories associated with livestock associated courses, plant science farms for horticulture and crop science courses that we teach." The center will also be a base for public education and livestock and crop research. THILL "Indirectly from the outcome of the research that takes place there, that's presented at other venues but also through field days." Nearly 30 research, teaching, and extension faculty use facilities at the center each year. Their work is funded by about $1.2 million in grants from external sources each year. In addition to addressing delayed maintenance on aging facilities, Thill will also have to find agricultural research areas large enough to serve farming needs. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott