University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will receive a grant of up to $55 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This grant is twice as large as any other award the UI has received. The money will go directly to farmers across the state to help them implement climate change sensitive practices.
The grant spans five years and will fund research and implementation of more environmentally friendly farming techniques. Sanford Eigenbrode, the project’s co-principle investigator, says the grant came at an unexpected time.
“A call appeared out of nowhere (from the USDA), and we just responded to it,” Eigenbrode said.
CALS focuses many of its projects on ways to slow climate change. Eigenbrode said it is one of the most important topics the college can research. Idaho has a unique responsibility to participate in this research.
Eigenbrode said that Idaho has immense diversity, spanning different climates, crops and processing companies. The way farmers tend their fields affects all those areas. Eigenbrode believes keeping this research within Idaho’s borders could prove the affect state farms have nationally.
More climate-conscious crop practices could yield better products. Better products could boost Idaho economically, according to a UI news release about the grant. The grant hopes to fund that result.
“Idaho has it all. We could be a microcosm for a national approach to this (climate) problem,” Eigenbrode said.
Seventy-five percent of the grant funds go directly to farmers and ranchers in Idaho. Many farmers are hesitant to start new techniques, even if it will help the environment, solely because of costs. Eigenbrode said they can fear start-up and risk factor prices. The money from this grant will erase those apprehensions.
The techniques that will be implemented include cover cropping and reducing reliance on tillage, according to a UI news release.
Ku’uleialoha Ka’aukai, a junior at UI, studies rangeland conservation and animal production. When she heard the news of the grant, she was elated.
“If they are really putting the effort in to stop climate change through our agricultural practices, I love that,” Ka’aukai said. “It’s important for us as humanity to care about our environment.”
Ka’aukai explained the cyclical nature of agriculture. She says that there is a relationship between livestock, grazing and soil. Starting climate-friendly practices with the soil will have effect on both livestock and grazing. She says the effect might not be seen for decades.
“But there is no time like the present to start,” Ka’aukai said. “We are one step closer to a brighter future.”
The grant is a culmination of years of hard work from the CALS. Eigenbrode said the department is excited to use this project to build partners across the state. The project opens doors for future research.
“I hope this will be a coherent project that pulls together,” Eigenbrode said.
Eigenbrode and the CALS are still working with the USDA to finalize the details and scope of the grant. However, Eigenbrode believes implementation across the state is coming soon.
Joanna Hayes can be reached at [email protected]