Associated Press - November 26, 2009 8:04 AM ET

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - Parma Mayor Margaret Watson says supporters of the Parma Research and Extension Center in southwest Idaho have come up with a plan to keep the center open through June 30.

The university's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has said extension centers in Tetonia in southeastern Idaho and Sandpoint in northern Idaho are also at risk because of budget cuts.

The Agricultural and Research Extension Service budget has been reduced by nearly 17 percent, or $4.7 million.

Watson says a coalition that includes fruit growers who use the station to do research on their crops, has put together a plan that combines budget reductions and pledges from farmers and other groups.

The Lewiston Tribune reports the measures add up to more than the $250,000 the center needs to survive the rest of the fiscal year.

Information from: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com

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