Caldwell Research and Extension Center
Caldwell Research and Extension Center
The Caldwell Research and Extension Center conducts research and Extension programming in nutrition, dairy science, personal finance, food science, agribusiness development and 4-H youth development.
We work with producers and private citizens to stay informed on the most pressing needs in our region. Since being established in 1906, the Caldwell Research and Extension Center has responded to the Treasure Valley’s changing agricultural needs with research and Extension programs that have improved production practices. Family and consumer sciences and 4-H youth development programs help ensure a bright future for Idaho.
Research programs
Explore the different research programs housed at the Caldwell Research and Extension Center, including dairy science, agribusiness, nutrition, food technology, personal finance and 4-H youth development.
Agribusiness Incubator
University of Idaho Agribusiness Incubator supports the creation, expansion and retention of locally owned agricultural enterprises. Its staff and physical resources are focused on the promotion of value-added ventures and local food networks.
The 22,000-square-foot facility includes 9,000 square feet of climate-controlled space for the emerging wineries of the Snake River Valley wine region.
The incubator assists the Food Technology Center staff in the recruitment, screening and advising of food clients and provides kitchen users with affordable post-production storage.
Contact Josh Bevan at 208-795-5332 or jbevan@uidaho.edu to learn more.
Dairy science
The Dairy Science program at the Caldwell Research and Extension Center focuses on reproductive efficiency and genomics.
Research is focused on increasing the efficiency of artificial insemination in dairy cattle, including sperm dosage, heat detection accuracy, synchronization programs, AI technician proficiency and identification of fertility markers.
Contact Joseph Dalton at 208-454-7633 or jdalton@uidaho.edu to learn more.
Eat Smart Idaho
Eat Smart Idaho provides nutrition and physical activity education for low-income Idahoans. Eat Smart Idaho helps adults and families learn the basics of healthy eating, smart shopping, food safety, quick meal preparation, management of limited grocery dollars and increased levels of physical activity.
Explore the Eat Smart Idaho website to learn more.
Food Technology Center
The University of Idaho Food Technology Center offers processing and educational assistance to aspiring food entrepreneurs that wish to produce packaged food products for resale.
Explore the Food Technology Center website to learn more.
Personal finance
The personal finance program at the Caldwell Research and Extension Center focuses on credit building, credit scores, investing for retirement, withdrawal strategies, financial goal setting and emergency preparedness, with emphasis on youth education.
Current project areas include:
- Northwest youth financial education
- Estate planning for farmers
- Divorce and personal finance
- Housing
- Retirement planning
- Financial goals setting
Contact Luke Erickson at 208-538-9963 or erickson@uidaho.edu to learn more.
4-H youth development
The 4-H youth development program at the Caldwell Research and Extension Center primarily focuses on afterschool programs, healthy living and volunteer development.
A partnership with Eat Smart Idaho delivers the Food Smart Families program to low-income Idahoans. Nutrition educators team up with college interns and trained teens to teach healthy living programs.
Children, Youth and Families at Risk grants fund afterschool programs in several counties.
Contact Judith Schoenfelder at 208-454-7655 or jmcshane@uidaho.edu or Natasha Tienhaara at 208-454-7614 or ntienhaara@uidaho.edu to learn more.
News and events
Joey Peutz
Cini Baumhoff
Josh Bevan
Diane Isaak
Joseph Dalton
Luke Erickson
Stephanie Hamblin
Yosele Leon Perez
Lindsey Mcconnell-Soong
Calla Chapin
Monette Glenn
Elizabeth Renn
Christina Roe
Judith Schoenfelder
Nancy Shelstad
Natasha Tienhaara
History
The Caldwell Research and Extension Center is the oldest off-campus unit of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, in continuous operation since its establishment in 1906. Elias Nelson, an irrigation specialist, arrived in 1905 and was the first individual at the station. He was followed in 1906 by L. C. Aicher, an agronomist and superintendent.
Prior to November 2006, the center consisted of 320 acres south of Caldwell. About 240 acres were farmed each year, producing feed for livestock research and Extension programs. Crops grown included alfalfa hay, grain and corn silage.
In November 2006, the faculty and staff were relocated to the University of Idaho’s Caldwell Complex in downtown Caldwell. Also housed at the complex are the University of Idaho Agribusiness Incubator and Food Technology Center.
Over the years, the center has responded to the Treasure Valley’s changing agricultural needs with research and Extension work that focused at first on crops and irrigation, then expanded to dairy, swine, beef and sheep production.
Working together with the agricultural community, the university has improved production practices and made it possible for area producers to better withstand the economic downturns, droughts, fires and infestations the last 100 years have brought.
The center was originally established to study the slick or alkali spots prevalent in the area south of Caldwell. The slick spots — areas of clay that pack tight — do not allow crops to grow. Research on the slick spots indicated a need for animal manure as a cure for these problems. In response, a dairy cattle program was established to provide manure for the agronomic research.
Dairy research was fully established in 1914 under the direction of O. D. Center. Discontinued a few years later, the dairy work was reinstated in 1945 at the request of the dairy industry. During the 1960s the dairy research program was moved to the Moscow campus.
A swine program began at the center in 1916. It was later discontinued, but in 1960 a swine testing program was developed in cooperation with the Idaho Swine Growers.
Cattle feeding research was initiated in 1919 by J. E. Norby. Nutrition research and beef cattle management were conducted until 2002 and were the main emphasis of the center for 20 years. Much of the early research on feeding potatoes to beef cattle was conducted at the center.
Sheep research was initiated in 1920 by Dave Stubblefield. Much of this work was continued under the direction of Reuben Johnson during the time he was superintendent. The sheep work continued until 1976, when it followed J. J. Dahmen’s transfer to the Moscow campus.