U of I wants to stay in business with Simplot at Parma extension

The University of Idaho is attempting to extend an agreement with J.R. Simplot Co. that has helped keep the Parma Research and Extension Center open after its state funding was slashed.

In late 2009 the university reached a five-year agreement with Simplot for $1.5 million  to keep the 90-year-old research center operating. That agreement runs out at the end of 2014.

University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean John Foltz said the university is “in the process” of working out a continuation of the contract, which has allowed Simplot access to the Parma extension facilities and to 13 acres of the 100-acre parcel U of I owns as part of the extension.

“That relationship seems to be going very well,” Foltz said.

David Cuoio, a spokesman for the Boise-based agribusiness company, responded to IBR requests for an interview with a short statement saying the company’s partnership with the Parma Research and Extension Center is valuable. He said Simplot had no further comment.

The Parma extension, along with other research centers in the state, faced cutbacks or closure after education funding was slashed in 2009.

Extensions in Parma and Tetonia, which were both scheduled to be shuttered, received support from the Treasure Valley Agricultural Coalition, the Barley Commission, the Wheat Commission and the Potato Commission, among others. In the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers replaced the funding provided by those organizations by an additional $650,000 from the state.

University of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station director Donn Thill said the research done at the extension centers helps all Idaho farmers.

“It has been a win-win for all parties involved considering it was a very difficult financial period,” Thill said.

Foltz said the Simplot partnership should continue..

“It’s a source of innovation, potentially (a source of) intellectual property and a real source of funds,” Foltz said. “The con is that people don’t generally give you money for free, there are strings attached.”

Foltz said that it was too early in the process to discuss any potential changes to the agreement. He expects any new agreement to be similar to the existing one.

Thill said working with private industry has emboldened the university to seek other partnerships, such as a deal with Limagrain announced this summer that will produce revenue for the university and give it access to research from one of the world’s largest seed producers.

“By having that experience (with Simplot), it allowed us a better comfort zone,” Thill said.