If a pathogen is found (such as blight in onions or potatoes), the center has to go through a variety of reporting layers to contain what could be an outbreak, as far as the Idaho State Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wood said.

Despite the integral role the the center has played in advancing the agricultural sector from its inception, its future wasn’t always certain. At the height of the Great Recession in 2009, Leslie Edgar, the endowed dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, said the center was at one point slated for closure.

Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke underscored that, given the return the center brings to Idaho’s agricultural industry, it should “never (be) on the chopping block again.” With investment in the center continuing today, Bedke said the center remains the envy of the state and the cutting edge research conducted in the area remains integral to the success of agriculture in Idaho both at home and abroad.

The return on investment for the state can be seen through the nematology program, which plays a key role in diagnosing parasites in the region that bring issues in potatoes, sugar beets, onion, mint and other crops. According to the university, for every dollar spent on the nematodes program in “development, transfer and maintenance,” it brings a return of $52.17 to the state’s agriculture industry.

As an example of the international ramifications the station’s work has for Idaho, Bedke recalled a trade mission he led in Asia last year. That trip included introductions to Idaho hops and a reinforcement of existing crop trades like white peaches, which are particularly popular in Taiwan, Bedke noted. While UI’s research contributions help push crops outward, its prominence also brings added attention to the state as a leader in the field.

“Everybody’s looking over the fence into Idaho, because we have very efficient farmers here, very efficient farming techniques, and they want to replicate that,” Bedke said. “Idaho stands for quality out there, and I think that all of that quality stuff starts in places like these extensions.”

Emphasis on the cutting edge in the field — including efficiency and broad improvements to crop yields — are of particular concern for producers as the margins within the industry have tightened for an extended period. During a December agricultural summit hosted by Gov. Brad Little, agriculture leaders noted farm expenses have exceeded the prices received for most crops grown over the last five years.

Given these conditions, “it’s even more important that we’re able to help producers understand what challenges may be facing their crop systems and how they can adjust to them,” Edgar said.

McCandless covers Idaho politics for the Lewiston Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Idaho Press of Nampa and Coeur d’Alene Press. He may be contacted at rmccandless@idahopress.com.

MERIDIAN, Idaho — Residents living near a proposed north Meridian development say they are concerned about how the project could impact traffic, emergency response times, and neighborhood density.

The proposed Brighton Development project, known as Basque Ranch, would bring hundreds of residential units to roughly 266 acres within Meridian city limits north of the Spurwing subdivision. The site spans an area roughly equivalent to 200 football fields.

Several neighbors who live adjacent to the proposed development site told Idaho News 6 they are worried the project could worsen congestion on nearby roads, including Black Cat Road, Jayker Road and Tree Farm Way.

WATCH | Hear neighbors concerns over the new development—

Neighbors raise traffic, safety concerns over proposed Basque Ranch development in Meridian

Residents say traffic is already a challenge at times, particularly on Sundays when Rock Harbor Church on Chinden Boulevard holds multiple services.

“Long term, it will have a huge negative impact on everyone living in this city,” Jack Van Berkel said. His backyard overlooks the fields of the proposed site.

Victor Miller, who also lives near the proposed development, said he believes additional housing density will place further strain on area roads.

“And so now you’re going to add traffic from all this density onto Jayker and onto Tree Farm and just exacerbate what’s already a very difficult traffic problem,” Miller said.

Some neighbors also raised concerns about emergency access to the area.

“Fire, ambulance, trying to get in and out of this neighborhood would be almost impossible,” said Van Berkel.

Those concerns were echoed by Meridian Fire Department Deputy Chief of Prevention Steven Taulbee.

In an email to the city, during the pre-application period, Taulbee said he visited the site and determined the proposed access points do not currently meet fire code criteria for emergency access.

Nancy Everard, who lives on Black Cat Road, said she worries emergency responders could face delays if access issues are not addressed.

“So if there is a fire or a child that is injured, that is going to be most likely them coming here, realizing they can’t get in, and then going back. We shouldn’t be placing that extra burden on our first responders,” Everard said.

Brighton Development told Idaho News 6 it officially submitted its application for the project on Friday.

According to the developer, the proposal includes approximately 470 residential units within Meridian city limits, with additional development planned in neighboring Star.

Brighton is also proposing a 55-plus community similar to its existing Cadence developments, along with a public park and a potential event space.

In pre-application documents obtained from the City of Meridian, planning staff asked Brighton to explain how the proposal aligns with the area’s current low-density land-use designation.

“Large estate lots, you know, one home per acre, large lots, nothing high density. Everyone here feels absolutely blindsided,” said Leslie Landry, a resident concerned with the density of homes proposed.

Brighton says its proposal will comply with city requirements as the project moves through the review process.

The application will ultimately be reviewed by Meridian planning officials and go before council before any decisions are made.

Idaho News 6 will continue to follow this story.

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho Department of Corrections has laid out its plans to implement a new law governing executions in Idaho.

The Idaho legislature passed, and Governor Little signed into law, new legislation that changes the primary form of execution in Idaho to the firing squad. A 36-page document obtained by Idahonews.com outlines the standard operating procedures for the implementation and use of the firing squad.

The policy states that executions in Idaho may be carried out by either lethal injection or firing squad, in accordance with state law. The department says the procedures are intended to ensure executions are conducted in compliance with the U.S. and Idaho constitutions and applicable state statutes.

Under the updated procedures, the firing squad team will consist of volunteer members who have extensive firearms training and experience. To qualify, volunteers must hold Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification for at least three years and demonstrate 100% shooting accuracy during proficiency testing conducted under conditions similar to those in the execution chamber.

The document also establishes detailed selection criteria for medical team members responsible for administering lethal injections. Medical personnel must have at least three years of relevant experience and demonstrate proficiency in intravenous access and medication administration. This comes after the botched execution of Thomas Creech. The medical team was unable to establish an IV line on Creech after multiple attempts.

DOJ announces it is bringing back firing squads in federal executions

Correction officials emphasized that participation on execution teams is voluntary. Staff members may withdraw from participation at any time, and the identities of firing squad members, medical personnel, and others involved in the execution process will remain confidential under Idaho rules.

The procedures require regular training and rehearsals for execution teams. Team members must complete at least four training sessions annually and additional rehearsals after a death warrant is issued. In the 48 hours before a scheduled execution, the team must participate in multiple training sessions and rehearsals.

The policy also outlines procedures for witness access, media accommodations, security operations, and contingency planning in the event of legal challenges or execution delays. Officials say the procedures are designed to balance public access to information with the privacy rights of victims’ families and the condemned person.

Idaho lawmakers approved firing squad executions earlier this year, making Idaho one of a small number of states that authorize the method. The Department of Corrections’ updated procedures establish how the state would carry out that method if it is certified as the available means of execution.