University of Idaho Pomologist Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera Brings Passion for People and Research to Idaho Agriculture
MOSCOW, Idaho — A new face is tending the orchards and vineyards at the University of Idaho‘s Parma Research and Extension Center, and he’s bringing both scientific expertise and a genuine enthusiasm for the people behind Idaho’s agricultural industry.
Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera, the University of Idaho’s pomologist, has quickly established himself as a valued addition to Idaho’s agricultural research community. Pomology — the science of growing and studying fruit — plays a critical role in supporting Idaho’s tree fruit and grape industries, both of which depend heavily on applied university research to remain competitive and productive.
Clavijo-Herrera was photographed on April 3 at the UI Parma Research and Extension Center evaluating apple blossoms, a routine but essential task during the spring growing season. The work is a snapshot of the hands-on, field-based research that defines the role of a university extension pomologist in a state where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy.
Research on the Ground in Parma
The UI Parma Research and Extension Center, located in Canyon County in southwestern Idaho, serves as one of the university’s key agricultural research hubs, particularly for fruit crops and viticulture. The center maintains active orchards and vineyards where researchers work to evaluate crop varieties, address pest and disease pressures, and develop best practices that producers across the region can apply on their own operations.
During the April 3 visit, Clavijo-Herrera was joined by Mike Kiester, the center’s vineyard, orchard and facilities manager, as well as state Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls. Senator Cook, who serves in the Idaho Legislature, was photographed with Thomcord table grape cuttings — a variety he plans to incorporate into a home vineyard for producing table and juice grapes. The visit illustrated the kind of direct connection between university researchers and the broader community that extension programs are designed to foster.
Clavijo-Herrera’s role bridges the gap between laboratory science and practical agricultural application. Pomologists at land-grant institutions like the University of Idaho are responsible not only for conducting original research but also for translating that research into guidance that farmers, ranchers, and growers can use to improve their yields and the quality of their crops.
People at the Heart of the Work
What distinguishes Clavijo-Herrera’s approach, according to reporting by Capital Press, is his appreciation for the human dimension of agricultural research. The work of a university extension specialist is inherently relational — it requires building trust with growers, understanding the practical challenges they face, and communicating research findings in ways that are accessible and actionable.
The University of Idaho‘s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has long been a pillar of support for Idaho’s farming and ranching communities. Through its statewide extension network, the university provides research-based education and outreach across all of Idaho’s 44 counties, connecting the resources of a research institution with the day-to-day realities of agricultural production.
Idaho’s fruit industry — including apples, cherries, and wine and table grapes — represents a meaningful segment of the state’s agricultural economy, particularly in the Snake River Valley region. Having a dedicated pomologist at the Parma center ensures that producers in that region have direct access to expert guidance and ongoing research support. For more on the University of Idaho’s work in Moscow and across the state, the Idaho State Board of Education recently visited Moscow to review the university’s priorities and programs.
The University of Idaho continues to attract researchers and faculty who are committed to Idaho’s agricultural heritage. Readers interested in broader developments at the university, including upcoming events on campus, can learn more about the University of Idaho’s 59th annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, scheduled for April 22–25 in Moscow.
For statewide coverage of Idaho agriculture and education policy, visit Idaho News, and for additional reporting across the region, see Idaho News Network.
What Comes Next
As spring progresses and Idaho’s orchards and vineyards move through the critical early growing season, Clavijo-Herrera’s work at the Parma Research and Extension Center will continue to focus on field evaluation and applied research. Growers across southwestern Idaho and the broader Treasure Valley region will be watching early-season results closely, particularly as producers make variety and management decisions ahead of the summer growing season. The University of Idaho’s extension mission ensures that research like Clavijo-Herrera’s reaches the farmers and families who depend on it most.