Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment
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
- July 2019 — Land purchased for discovery complex
- June 2022 — Groundbreaking at the research dairy site
- 2023 — Discovery complex welcomes first visitors
- 2023 — First cows milked at the dairy