Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced on Nov. 13 that $3 million has been included in community project funding to the University of Idaho-led Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and Environment in Rupert, Idaho.
The funding is to build a flexible manure handling system and develop manure-research infrastructure to evaluate manure separation and nutrient extraction technologies, according to Simpson.
Idaho CAFE, which is currently under construction, aims to address the lack of large-scale and applied research that could help Idaho’s dairy and agricultural industries improve sustainability, increase efficiency and strengthen environmental policy decisions.
The center is currently in phase two of construction with plans to begin milking the first cows in early 2026, starting with 400 cows. It is estimated to cost $45 million by its completion and is located on 640 acres
“Idaho CAFE is intentionally designed to be a teaching and research hub that integrates undergraduates at multiple points,” said Leslie Edgar, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, in an email interview with The Argonaut.
Idaho CAFE is designed to provide hands-on experience at a commercial scale that mimics real-world operations for students. With a 2,000-cow research dairy, students will be able to work with modern technology such as a rotary milking parlor, precision-feeding systems, environmental monitoring tools and data management systems.
The facility is expected to support whole-farm systems research that connects dairy operations with soil science, water management, renewable energy and crop production. Students will also have additional access to undergraduate internships focused on dairy management, animal nutrition, forage systems, environmental monitoring and animal health.
“Idaho CAFE directly aligns training with the workforce needs of Idaho’s largest agricultural industries. Students will gain experience that employers consistently request but that has been difficult to provide on campus until now,” Edgar said.
The facility will give students on-site access to industry partners, UI Extension specialists and faculty, along with hands-on experience in data analysis and sustainability for business and food science students.
Key funding for the CAFE includes $23.25 million from the Idaho Board of Land Commissioners from the sale of endowment land in Caldwell, Idaho, that UI no longer used for experimental farming.
In March 2019, land was purchased for the dairy in partnership with the Dairymen’s Association who gave $2 million to match UI’s land-sale proceeds for the site purchase.
Private donations, such as $1 million from Chobani, and significant contributions from other including Simplot, Power Engineers and the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, totaled around $9 million.
Additional funding includes $2 million in community project funding, secured by Simpson in 2024, and $1 million in 2023.
Idaho legislature appropriated $10 million in 2017, which pays out $250,000 each year in ongoing maintenance funding.
Idaho is the fourth-largest dairy-producing state in the United States, with herd sizes averaging 1,600 to 2,000 cows. Idaho producers are working toward net-zero emissions by 2050, aiming to balance greenhouse gas emissions with those removed from the atmosphere.
Scarlet Herway can be reached at [email protected].
Zipp Zapp
Another unconstitutional overreach by US Legislative branch giving taxpayer dollars by enacting law that is ABOVE AND BEYOND THE POWERS ENUMERATED IN THE US CONSTITUTION . One of many examples of why Mike Simpson needs to be voted out of office... supporting unconstitutional mal Federal Overreach.