As Idaho’s statewide, land-grant institution, the University of Idaho is proud to address critical problems of worldwide importance through the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE). Agribusiness is a critical part of Idaho’s diverse economy and an important employer. Livestock, dairy, crop production and food processing are growing sectors that intersect in challenging ways — in Idaho and beyond.

The center will be a leader in addressing constraints on water usage and environmental quality while supporting the agricultural sectors of dairy, livestock and cropland, as well as the food processing industries. A partnership between education, industry and economic development stakeholders will result in dynamic research and education to develop solutions to complex problems.

Research at CAFE will cover a broad range of areas including:

• Agricultural economics impact, sustainability and labor management
• Agriculture commodity risk management
• Animal health, productivity and genetic improvement
• Food safety
• Food science and manufacturing
• Forage cropping and agronomy
• Green energy production and energy-use conservation
• Nutrient and wastewater management
• Odor and emissions control
• Precision agriculture and technology
• Production management
• Soil health and fertility
• Value-added products
• Water use and protection

Project timeline

• March 2019 — Purchased dairy land in partnership with Idaho Dairymen’s Association
• March 2022 — State of Idaho appropriates funds for a CAFE project manager and research support staff
• May 2022 — Chobani commits $1 million to CAFE (research dairy)
• September 2022 — Approval from Idaho Board of Land Commissioners to invest $23 million from land sale into the research dairy
• January 2023 — Out to bid for phase I construction of the research dairy (site work and milking parlor)
• February 2023 — Congressman Simpson secures $1 million in community project funding to support nutrient management technology at the research dairy
• March 2023 — State of Idaho appropriates funds for three faculty positions to support CAFE (forage specialist, air quality specialist, ruminant nutritionist)
• May 2023 — Phase I construction begins at research dairy
• March 2024 — Congressman Simpson secures $2 million in community project funding to support nutrient management technology at the research dairy
• March 2024 — Out to bid for phase II construction of the research dairy (maternity/pharmacy barns, commodity storage, nutrient management)
• Summer 2024 — Phase II construction begins at research dairy
• Early 2026 — First cows milking at the research dairy