East Idaho Times

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced the inclusion of $2,000,000 in funding for the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) Project in Rupert, Idaho. This funding was secured through Community Project Funding (CPF) as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Act.

“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.”

Michael P. Parrella, Dean of the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, added: “Congressman Simpson has been a tireless advocate for Idaho agriculture and, in particular, advancing our state’s dairy industry. 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.”

The allocated funds will be used to complete a flexible manure handling and testing system at the CAFE site. The project aims to establish the nation’s largest research dairy with 2,000 cows on 640 acres. Previous awards have improved research facilities at USDA’s Agriculture Research Service Kimberly site and supported the base manure handling system at CAFE.

Building on these investments, the new funding will create research ponds for long-term evaluation of pond lining systems, allow testing of products that reduce emissions from ponds, enhance manure handling systems by expanding separation capacity, add a laboratory at CAFE for soil and emissions research, and provide equipment for transporting manure byproducts for agronomic testing.

Despite some claims that CPF projects are "wasteful earmarks," proponents argue that they enable Members of Congress like Rep. Simpson to direct federal funds towards local priorities within existing budget limits.

As Idaho’s only appropriator on Capitol Hill, Rep. Simpson emphasizes his unique role in advocating for state interests and ensuring taxpayer money benefits local communities.

The CAFE Project forms part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture Appropriations Act recently approved by the House Appropriations Committee.