The Food Science Departments at the University of Idaho and Washington State University are merging to create one, new, academic unit. Glenn Mosley reports.

The two universities, located less then ten miles apart in the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho, have worked together on various projects for many years. But university officials say this academic merger of two existing departments formalizes those historic ties.

And, officials say, the new partner ship will benefit the $17 billion dollar food processing industry in the Pacific Northwest, not to mention the benefits to be seen by students and consumers. The food processing industry employs about 100,000 in the Northwest.

Academic deans on both sides of the state line say the merger will broaden the opportunities for students, offer a wide range of professional expertise, and combine the strengths of both institutions.

The partnership has already been approved by the governing bodies of both universities. I’m Glenn Mosley.

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