WASHINGTON—Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson highlighted the inclusion of $2,000,000 for the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (CAFE) site in Rupert, Idaho, at his request through Community Project Funding (CPF) in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have proudly worked to ensure that Idaho's agriculture can continue to thrive in the future,” said Rep. Simpson. “Like many Idaho agriculture sectors, the dairy industry plays a significant role in our state's economy. The CAFE Research Dairy will increase the sustainability and efficiency of Idaho's agriculture, grow Idaho's economy, and explore how to make the dairy industry even more productive. I am proud to support Idaho's dairy industry and bring our tax dollars to work at home.”

“Idaho’s dairy industry, a cornerstone of our state’s agricultural success, is facing increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt emerging technologies that promote long-term environmental and economic sustainability,” said Michael P. Parrella, Dean of the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. “Thanks to Congressman Simpson’s advocacy and investment in our research infrastructure at what will soon be the nation’s largest research dairy, we are poised to help ensure Idaho dairy continues to be a global leader in solving issues of critical importance through research-based solutions.”  

“Idaho’s dairy industry is a leader in pioneering new technologies and the opportunity that the CAFE site will provide in continuing to develop and test new manure technologies will afford needed support to this leadership,” said Rick Naerebout, Chief Executive Officer of Idaho Dairymen’s Association. “We have long enjoyed great partnerships with both University of Idaho and USDA ARS in executing cutting edge science around all aspects of dairy production and this investment would provide for the dairy industry to further those efforts. We greatly appreciate Congressman Simpson, and his understanding of the dairy industry needs and his work to meet those needs on a continual basis. Idaho’s dairy industry couldn’t ask for a better advocate in Congress than Congressman Simpson.”

This 640-acre, 2000-head dairy will be the largest research dairy in the nation and will explore how to make the dairy industry both productive and sustainable in the future. CAFE is led by the University of Idaho, with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service Kimberly scientists heavily involved in the design of the dairy to address the sustainability of agriculture. This funding will allow equipment to be used in different combinations and changed to accommodate new technologies.

As Idaho’s only appropriator, Rep. Simpson has a unique opportunity to fight for Idaho’s priorities and ensure Idahoans’ hard-earned tax dollars to return to Idaho. Rep. Simpson was the only member of the Idaho delegation to vote in favor of funding for the CAFE site.