Faculty members in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are truly embracing the land-grant mission as they begin work on the biggest research grant in the history of the University of Idaho. Professors Jodi Johnson-Maynard and Sanford Eigenbrode wrote the grant proposal, “Climate-Smart Commodities for Idaho: A Public-Private-Tribal Partnership,” which was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The award is worth up to $55 million – more than double the U of I’s previous largest research grant. A large portion of the funds will flow back into the state economy through incentives to Idaho agriculture producers who employ techniques like no-till farming, precision fertilization, the use of biochar and cover-cropping. “Research will include monitoring the farms that are implementing the techniques for costs, inputs and effects on productivity and greenhouse gas emissions,” Johnson-Maynard and Eigenbrode said in an email. “By working closely with our farmers and food processors we hope to find solutions that have a high probability of adoption and success.” The grant’s success relies on many partners, including the Coeur D’Alene and Nez Perce tribes, the Nature Conservancy, the Idaho Association of Conservation Districts and Desert Mountain Beef. The U of I Extension network will also provide support for the project and the researchers envision a community of growers that can help each other improve. “We hope to encourage peer-to-peer learning among farmers and leverage the knowledge and experience of our Natural Resources Conservation Service colleagues,” Johnson-Maynard and Eigenbrode added. Over the past year, our faculty had 533 new grant-funded research projects, in addition to the hundreds that they’re already working on. Our research portfolio is a key cog in Idaho’s economy and provides solutions that create a better future for our state. The research landscape is changing and our faculty continue to punch above their weight. U of I researchers collaborate across colleges and industries. They partner with local businesses, state agencies and non-profit organizations to multiply the impact of their work. Research contributes to our workforce development as well. More than 60 percent of our undergraduates are in our labs and in the field conducting research that gives them a cutting-edge education and helps them command the highest starting salaries of any public school in Idaho. These experiences help set the U of I apart as most research is reserved for masters and doctoral students at other universities. The second phase of our capital campaign, launching next week, will shift our focus toward supporting research. Our faculty like Jodi and Sanford engage in life-changing projects, and with our support they’ll be Unstoppable. |