Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment

Advancing sustainable agriculture for Idaho and beyond

As Idaho’s statewide, land-grant institution, 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. Efficient agricultural production that also protects Idaho’s natural resources and the environment requires research-based information to succeed. CAFE will focus on research, outreach and education to advance the sustainability of dairy, livestock and crop production, and food processing in Idaho.

As the largest research dairy in the nation, Idaho CAFE will allow researchers to address critical challenges facing the industry, utilizing larger herd sizes that better reflect the realities of today’s dairy industry in Idaho.

A powerful partnership between education, industry and economic development

Agricultural production tied to Idaho’s dairy industry affects the quality of life for many Idahoans. Food production and processing contribute $2.2 billion to Idaho’s gross state product. As many as 51,000 Idaho jobs can be linked to the dairy industry. CAFE research will help producers, dairies and food processors implement sustainable practices that meet growing customer demands and set the standard for the future of agriculture.

But the partnership doesn’t stop at environmental impact. CAFE will advance the long-term health of rural and diverse communities to protect air, land and water resources while supporting the economic and social fabric of the regions most connected to agriculture.

While research data generated at CAFE will have broad implications across the U.S., the semi-arid environment in Idaho’s Magic Valley will make CAFE’s research indispensable in the water-constrained West. CAFE’s location, herd size and research scope make it uniquely positioned to address real-world issues facing the dairy and food processing industries.

Five programmatic areas

 Animal-related and environmental research

The sustainability of the dairy industry depends on protecting animal health and welfare while also tackling issues related to the environmental impact of commercial dairies. These efforts will require a balanced approach to increasing production and efficiency while maintaining a sustainable ecosystem. Research involving multiple disciplines will:

  • Determine best practices ensuring animal health and welfare with high-quality milk production
  • Evaluate feed ingredients to meet requirements for good health and productivity
  • Implement robotic systems into herd management and milking and evaluate long-term use
  • Assess alternative housing systems to improve cow comfort and longevity
  • Examine low-stress handling and transportation
  • Evaluate systems to efficiently deliver irrigation water and nutrient management
  • Create value-added byproducts from waste materials 
Agronomic research

The Magic Valley region in Idaho produces some of the highest quality crops in the country. To sustain this standard, CAFE will explore the relationships between animal and crop agriculture — an interdependent connection in the Magic Valley. Agronomic research will:

  • Find economical approaches to promote water and soil quality
  • Assess alternative feeds which may require less use of chemicals and water in production of feed ingredients
  • Improve feed production through use of integrated pest management and better management of soil health, irrigation practices and use of renewable energy technologies
  • Evaluate approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairies
  • Analyze policy and legal approaches promoting environmental protections
Food science research

Research in multiple disciplines can contribute to innovations in food safety and quality to:

  • Improve dairy management to ensure safe production, transport and handling of milk
  • Identify processing and production innovation to reduce food safety risks
  • Innovate new products with functional food and other healthful attributes
  • Improve engineering in food processing to maximize food quality and safety
  • Reduce the environmental impact of food processing
  • Train current and future employees for the food processing industry
Outreach and education

CAFE will provide extensive opportunities to engage with the community. Some of these efforts will:

  • Expand vocational training programs for the community
  • Increase awareness and knowledge of the industry for the local community
  • Provide continuing education for producers and farmworkers through on-site workshops, online activities and professional meetings
  • Encourage dialogue among ethicists, behaviorists, dairy scientists and veterinarians to communicate findings to the public
Workforce development

A strong partnership with the College of Southern Idaho and many of their faculty involved in agricultural programming and workforce development will allow CAFE to address industry employment needs across the spectrum. A partnership between the U of I and CSI will:

  • Expand educational offerings for place bound students
  • Increase the shared degree options between U of I and CSI
  • Offer continuing education opportunities for those already in the workforce
  • Enhance worker safety training
  • Build a pipeline of educated students prepared to enter the workforce

Project timeline

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

Our people

Leslie Edgar
J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Ag Science, Room 52
208-885-4933
ledgar@uidaho.edu

Christopher T. Nomura
Vice president for research and economic development
Morrill Hall, 105
208-885-2258
vpresearch@uidaho.edu

Matt Powell
Interim associate dean of research and director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
Ag Science, Room 47
208-885-6681
mpowell@uidaho.edu

Barbara Petty
Associate dean and director of UI Extension
Ag Science, Room 52
208-885-5883
bpetty@uidaho.edu

Rachael Bickerton
Director of government and external relations
208-867-0910
rbickerton@uidaho.edu

In the news

CAFE Joins IAES and CALS research network

Part of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, CAFE advances the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ statewide research mission.

Explore IAES research