University of Idaho Hires Pomologist to Advance Idaho Fruit Industry Research
New Specialist Brings Orchard Innovation to Parma Research Center
The University of Idaho has added a new agricultural researcher to its Parma Research and Extension Center, bringing expertise in fruit production systems that could benefit Idaho growers working with apples, cherries, and peaches.
Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera joined the Parma center on March 2, 2026, as an assistant professor and Extension specialist in pomology — the science of fruit cultivation and management. His appointment positions U of I to expand its applied research in Idaho’s fruit-growing sector, an industry the university sees as a key area for growth and quality improvement.
Clavijo-Herrera comes to Idaho with a strong research background that spans Bolivia, Honduras, Florida, and beyond. Originally from La Paz, Bolivia, he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences and production from Zamorano University in Honduras before completing both a master’s degree and a doctorate in horticultural sciences at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
His doctoral research focused on how rootstocks — the underground portion of a grafted plant — influence the performance of the above-ground tree. His team found that certain rootstocks improved a tree’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. They also discovered that rootstocks can affect gene expression related to dormancy, which helps trees withstand cold winters while preserving energy for the growing season. That line of research has direct relevance to Idaho’s climate conditions, where winter hardiness is a critical factor for orchard success.
High-Density Peach Research Points Toward Idaho Applications
Following graduate school, Clavijo-Herrera worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida, where in 2023 he helped establish one of the state’s earliest high-density, trellised peach orchards. The system uses trellises to train tree branches along fruiting walls, improving air flow, light penetration, and the ability to mechanize pruning and other management tasks — while reducing labor demands. The orchard reached its first harvest in 2025.
“We saw that our yield per acre was higher under that system,” Clavijo-Herrera said. “The results were very encouraging.”
He plans to investigate whether that production model can be replicated successfully in Parma, where orchard space and laboratory facilities drew him to the position. He was also attracted by the collaborative attitude of Idaho fruit growers.
“I feel there’s a lot of support from the Parma station team,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities here, and the willingness of the growers to partner and collaborate is amazing.”
On his second day on the job, Clavijo-Herrera was already meeting with area fruit farmers, gathering input on research priorities and visiting their orchards firsthand. That grower-centered approach reflects his broader vision for the program.
“I want my program to be a resource for the growers and a resource for the community,” he said.
Near-term research plans include trials focused on fertilization and water-management practices, along with studies on pest management and methods to protect trees from winter damage. Longer-range goals include evaluating rootstocks and tree varieties from other regions under Idaho conditions, and researching the use of high tunnels as protective covers for fruit trees.
Quality Over Volume: Idaho’s Competitive Edge
While Idaho’s fruit industry is smaller in volume than those of neighboring states, Clavijo-Herrera sees that as an opportunity rather than a limitation. He believes Idaho’s edge lies in the quality of its fruit — and that research-backed production practices can help growers capitalize on that reputation.
“Maybe we don’t produce a large volume, but if we can consistently deliver high-quality fruit, that can be our way to position ourselves in the market,” he said.
The hire reflects the University of Idaho’s continued investment in its agricultural research mission. The Parma Research and Extension Center serves as a hub for applied agricultural science across southwest Idaho. For more on U of I’s recent institutional moves, see the university’s recent salary flexibility authorization for a key short-term hire, another sign of the institution’s push to strengthen its research capacity.
What Comes Next
Clavijo-Herrera is expected to launch initial field trials at the Parma center in the coming months, with early work targeting fertilization and irrigation efficiency. His program will engage directly with Idaho fruit growers as research priorities are developed, offering a practical extension component alongside laboratory work. As Idaho’s fruit industry looks to carve out a stronger market identity, the new pomology program at U of I will play a central role in providing the science growers need to compete on quality.