The franklin h. Pitkin forest nurser, the state nursery of idaho, currently maintains seven greenhouses, totaling 18,401 square feet of growing space for tree seedling production

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R1-Northern Region awarded the Regents of the University of Idaho $250,000 on March 6, 2026, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act Nursery Vegetation program (CFDA 10.736) to support capital improvements at the Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery, the state nursery of Idaho.

The Franklin H. Pitkin Nursery operates seven greenhouses totaling 18,401 square feet and produces conifer, hardwood, and shrub seedlings for reforestation throughout Idaho. Aging infrastructure and equipment have reduced production capacity. The nursery serves as the primary supplier of seedlings for post-harvest and post-fire reforestation in the state, which faces strong demand for these materials. Funding supports upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems, replacement of aging trays used in seedling production, and installation of a new tray sanitizer. A prior fiscal year 2025 award supported purchase of a generator and sowing machine.

The award extends through January 31, 2031, with performance at the nursery facility in Idaho. The University of Idaho receives the award as the administrative recipient; the actual work and facility improvements occur at the state nursery under University of Idaho stewardship as part of its forest nursery operations delivery to the USDA Forest Service.

The pitkin nursery grows numerous conifer, hardwood and shrub species, with conifer seedlings sold for reforestation. Aging infrastructure and equipment consistently results in less production. There is a strong demand for seedlings for post-harvest reforestation and post-fire reforestation in the state of idaho and pitkin nursery is the primary supplier. Fiscal year 2025 award helped purchase a generator and sowing machine. This new funding will help continue the upgrades needed for electrical, plumbing and replacing old trays and replace tray sanitizer at the nursery.