The University of Idaho has secured an additional $11 million to spur design of what will be the nation’s largest research dairy.
Earlier this month, U of I received a $1 million gift from the J.R. Simplot Company to bring the university commitment for the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment to $10 million. That gave momentum to the release of the $10 million state appropriation to the university to begin the design and construction phase of the $45 million project.
Led by U of I, the project’s footprint will span three counties, with the research dairy located near Rupert, a discovery complex near Jerome, and collaborative food science efforts with other institutions like the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.
U of I plans to seek Idaho State Board of Education approval in December 2019 to begin design work on the research dairy. The timeline calls for construction to begin in mid-2021, with completion in 2023. (UI)
