The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the Lava Ridge Wind Project, a controversial clean energy development in Idaho's Magic Valley, despite significant opposition from local communities, lawmakers and advocacy groups.

BLM manages its land for multiple uses; yet, this is the first time a wind project of this magnitude has gone this far in the BLM approval process.

With a footprint about half the size of a football field, the new building will double the lab space available for the school’s welding, food science, animal science, ag mechanics and plant science classes. Even while doubling its space, the ag program will still have extra room to accommodate future growth.

Construction crews are wrapping up a monumental excavation project to lay the groundwork for what will be the nation’s largest research dairy, led by the University of Idaho and based in Idaho’s Magic Valley.

“We complemented each other well – him with a head for business, finance and management, and me on the production side. Besides, it was a good deal for him,” Kearl laughs, “because he lost half of his debt – to me.”

Dec. 6 marks the 125th anniversary of Amalgamated Sugar Company. Over those 125 years, the company has become one of the country's best sugarbeet processors, with achievements that have grown in significance.