[Vision2020] UI Considers Acreage Trade

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the Lewiston Tribune.

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UI considers trade of acreage to Simplot to maintain Parma research center

MOSCOW -- The University of Idaho and the J.R. Simplot Company have struck
a tentative, multiyear deal to finance the UI's threatened Parma
agricultural research center.

The $1.5 million, five-year agreement does not include any pledges of
support from a broad-based coalition of Treasure Valley agricultural
interests that has been working for months on an alternate way to save the
research center.

UI spokeswoman Tania Thompson declined to answer questions in advance of
the State Board of Education meeting this week in Twin Falls, and said
university officials would be unavailable for comment until that meeting.

Board members will consider the proposed Simplot-UI alliance at its
meeting Thursday at the College of Southern Idaho.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Simplot would contribute
$300,000 per year for five years to support the center's agricultural
research. In return, Simplot's research team would control half of the
center's 100 acres of cropland and share its labs with UI scientists.

Just last week, grower and Parma Mayor Margaret Watson said the Treasure
Valley Agriculture Coalition and the UI were close to finalizing a
different agreement that would finance the center through the end of June.
The coalition was also working on a way to finance the center in the long
term.

There is no mention of that arrangement in documents published by the
State Board of Education this morning.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown