Idaho’s economically important agricultural and food processing industries and the environment will be the focus of a new $45 million research and education initiative led by the University of Idaho.
The Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) was included in Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s State of the State message Monday. The governor recommended that the state this year invest $10 million in the center. UI and other partners will identify funding for the other two-thirds of the project, which is planned in the Magic Valley near Twin Falls.
The center will focus on environmental solutions, economic development, and educational opportunities to ensure the sustainability of livestock and crop agriculture and food processing in Idaho.
“We thank Gov. Otter for his support for an initiative we feel is critical to Idaho’s future,” University of Idaho President Chuck Staben said. “This effort is led by the University of Idaho but relies on support and participation from education, industry and economic development partners.”
Agribusiness contributed $27.8 billion in sales, one-fifth of Idaho’s total economic output, and 128,200 jobs in Idaho in 2014, according to a recent report by UI agricultural economists. The importance of livestock, dairy and food processing to Idaho’s economy has grown dramatically in the last 10 years. Idaho is now the third largest dairy producing state in the U.S., much of which leaves the state as high value food products like cheese and yogurt.
The support from the governor and Idaho Legislature leaders was instrumental in moving forward the plan for a major new research center in southern Idaho.
Source: uidaho.edu.