Growers and community leaders, along with generations of the Simplot family and Gov. Brad Little, attended the event.

Construction continues at the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Idaho CAFE), a University of Idaho-led facility in Rupert, Idaho, that will include the nation’s largest research dairy. Phase II is currently underway and includes construction of a commodity barn, a calving and research barn and a classroom building.

No doubt "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill" is big. Beauty? Well, that’s in the eye of the beholder.

“As everyone knows the Treasure Valley is rapidly growing,” says Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) staff member Justin Ferguson. Based on a water demand survey completed in 2016 for the IWRB, the Treasure Valley is projected to increase in population to 1.57 million people by 2065, and with that increase comes an estimated need for an additional 81,000 acre-feet of water.

Federal budget cuts in 2025 are impacting Idaho agriculture through the loss of critical funding for research, conservation and support programs. Additionally, the USDA is facing budget cuts across various programs that support schools, food banks and local farmers, potentially creating uncertainty for agriculture operations. This could lead to decreased support for farmers and potentially impact food security.

On June 16, Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) Chairman Jeff Raybould visited American Falls Dam and the Highline Canal south of Buhl to highlight two major projects funded through the state’s Modernizing Water Infrastructure grant.

Ag Proud – Idaho would like you to meet Pramod Acharya.

The project’s first phase, which includes major earthwork and construction of a milking barn with a modern rotary parlor, has been completed and the next phase of construction (maternity and commodity barns and classrooms) is underway. In early May, U of I led a tour of lawmakers, local officials and members of the state’s Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council to showcase the return on the considerable investment they’ve made in CAFE.