By SEAN ELLIS

Capital Press

BOISE -- Idaho Barley Commission members voted unanimously Feb. 20 to create a $1 million research endowment for the University of Idaho.

The decision will result in the state assessment fee for Idaho's 1,500 barley growers increasing 1 cent per hundredweight beginning July 1. The current grower assessment fee is 2 cents per hundredweight.

The endowment will fund a scientist who will specialize in barley agronomics and soil fertility.

"I am confident ... we will more than return value to growers with this agronomy/soil plan," IBC Administrator Kelly Olson told commissioners shortly before they voted 5-0 to create the endowment.