This spring, the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) began work to build a $25 million research dairy near Rupert, Idaho scheduled to be completed by 2023 and functioning by 2024.
On July 23, CAFE organized a meeting of University of Idaho design and engineering leaders. The two lead contractors, McAlvain Construction and Keller Associates, were announced. McAlvain will be the general contractor and form a team including Standley and Co. and longtime dairy producer Mike Roth. Keller’s team will include AgProfessionals and Lombard Conrad Architects.
A $10 million grant will fund projects by 21 UI faculty in agriculture and engineering to explore bioeconomy in the dairy industry.
The 640-acre dairy will be able to hold 2,000 cows and integrate animal and plant agriculture. Over the course of 30 to 50 years, the dairy will examine sustainability and regenerative agriculture.
The dairy is the largest of four components that make up CAFE, including a discovery center, offices, research processing and education.
UI has invited collaboration on the project with Idaho’s public universities and Brigham Young University – Idaho.
Learn more about CAFE and the UI research dairy project by visiting the UI website.
Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Emily _ A_ Pearce.