Idaho Foundation Seed Program

The Idaho Foundation Seed Program (FSP) is based at the Kimberly Research and Extension Center in Kimberly, Idaho. This program, with the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, is responsible for transfer of crop varieties from the breeding programs to the producer.  The program operates under the direction of the FSP coordinator. The program produces and conditions a wide variety of crops at research and extension centers throughout the state.

Currently the Foundation Seed Program maintains approximately 120 varieties of wheat, barley, oats, beans, potatoes, peas, chickpeas, lentils, rapeseed, grasses, forbs and forage legumes. The R&E centers operate under the direction of the superintendent or farm manager. The majority of the seed production is done on the university owned farms by the R&E center staff. All Breeder and Foundation class seed fields are inspected by the Idaho Crop Improvement Association. Each R&E center has become somewhat specialized, though many crops may be produced at multiple locations.

• The Moscow Research and Extension Agronomy Farm has the major Breeder and Foundation seed emphasis in rapeseed, canola, peas, chickpeas, grass, clover, and small grains.
• The Kimberly R&E Center produces Breeder and Foundation seed for dry beans, small grains, peas, and grass seed. Kimberly also serves as the headquarters for the Idaho Foundation Seed Program. 
• The Aberdeen R&E Center Breeder and Foundation seed production includes small grains and grass seed.
• The Tetonia R&E Center Breeder and Foundation seed production includes potatoes and small grains.