WASHINGTON—Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson highlighted the inclusion of $3,000,000 in funding for the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) Project in Rupert, Idaho, at his request through Community Project Funding (CPF) in the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill. 

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have proudly worked to ensure that Idaho's agriculture can continue to thrive in the future. Like many Idaho agriculture sectors, the dairy industry plays a significant role in our state's economy,” said Rep. Simpson. “Securing funding for this world-class research center is crucial for promoting long-term sustainability in Idaho's agriculture industry. I am committed to supporting Idaho's dairy industry and ensuring our tax dollars are being put to work right here at home. I will continue fighting to ensure this critical funding makes it across the finish line.”

“Congressman Simpson has been a tireless advocate for Idaho agriculture and, in particular, advancing our state’s dairy industry,” said Michael P. Parrella, J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean of the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. “We are thankful for his support of Idaho CAFE and his work to secure critical resources that bolster our collaborative work with USDA-ARS fostering sustainability, innovation in environmental stewardship and economic growth through pioneering research.”

This funding would be used to build a flexible manure handling system at the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) site. CAFE is a UI-led effort to establish the nation’s largest research dairy, which will have the capacity to support 2,000-cows, and sits on 640 acres in Rupert, ID. The flexible manure treatment system will be used for testing and evaluating manure separation and nutrient extraction technologies. This funding will build on investments already made that supported research equipment storage and a shop facility for ARS at their Kimberly, ID, site and the building of a basic manure separation facility. Additional funding will enable the creation of an advanced manure research facility at CAFE with multiple treatment technologies and enhanced nutrient recovery to maximize research outcomes and technology development.

Despite claims that CPF projects are "wasteful earmarks," Community Project Funding gives Members of Congress like Congressman Simpson the opportunity to bring Idaho tax dollars back home for Idaho priorities. These projects fill a clear and present need in communities across Idaho and enjoy broad community support. The federal dollars designated for CPF projects exist within existing budget limits. Rather than that money going to fund projects in different states, CPF projects give Idahoans a critical voice in determining where budgeted funding goes.

As Idaho’s only appropriator, Rep. Simpson has a unique opportunity to fight for Idaho’s priorities and ensure Idahoans’ hard-earned tax dollars return to Idaho.

The CAFE Project is a part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill. This measure has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee.