The
mission of this Center is to improve the overall quality
of life for citizens of Idaho while protecting the environment
for future generations. We carry out that mission through
research and educational programs.
The
University of Idaho Sandpoint Research & Extension
Center was established in 1912 and is located within the City of Sandpoint, Idaho.
Research
Research at Sandpoint once focused on agronomic crops and livestock for
northern Idaho. Today, the emphasis is on commercial horticulture,
small-scale farming, and specialty crops.
Presently,
our research focus involves anticancer and other beneficial
compounds in blueberries and other small fruits, commercial management
and production of western huckleberries and bilberries,
development of improved varieties of edible-fruited
honeysuckle, and evaluation of native trees for their use by
Idaho's ornamental nursery and Christmas tree industries. Research
by the Center on small grains continues in fields 40 miles north,
near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Extension
In addition to research, a major role of the Sandpoint R&E Center
is to make research-based information available to the public through
University of Idaho Extension. Extension activities combine education and technical
support through such activities as public workshops,
presentations to commercial and non-profit organizations, and publications. For
information on current activities or particular crops,
call 208-263-2323 or email us at sandpoint@uidaho.edu.
Everyone
is welcome to visit and tour the Sandpoint R&E Center.
We have horticulture publications for sale at the front desk and a
small lending library is open to local residents. A resource room
with high-speed computer access is available to visitors to
research horticulture-related topics. Call ahead to reserve
the resource room.
Technical
support is provided to established and prospective commercial
specialty crop producers and processors through one-on-one meetings,
joint industry-university field trials, and articles
for trade publications. By networking with colleagues
around the world, we can provide the most up-to-date
information to our clients. Depending on location, we
can sometimes arrange on-site visits in northern Idaho.
In
addition to our demonstration plantings, lending library,
publications, and resource room, we support non-commercial
clients indirectly through county Cooperative Extension
offices located throughout Idaho. Typical programs include
training and technical support for Extension Educators and
Master Gardeners, who then work with home horticulture in
their respective areas. To find the Cooperative Extension
office nearest you, visit our Extension
Page.
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