University of Idaho is getting closer to funding a new agricultural research center in southwest Idaho after a big donation at the end of the year.
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation has kicked in $1 million to help bankroll the construction of a new plant and soil health research lab in Parma. This new lab is expected to cost $7 million.
University of Idaho says it will hire four new faculty positions that will specialize in researching weeds, irrigation, soil, pollination and fruit. The faculty members will be based at the facility.
So far, the university has raised about 40% of the money needed for the project since kicking off its fundraising campaign last February.
U of I already conducts research on more than 40 different kinds of Idaho-centric and specialty crops at their Parma Research and Extension Center, which has been open for more than 70 years.
The university hopes to wrap up the project by 2022.
Follow James Dawson on Twitter @RadioDawson for more local news.
Copyright 2020 Boise State Public Radio
