That early support is important to our students once they enroll at the University of Idaho. In addition to being ranked in the top 6% of public universities and colleges nationally, U.S. News and World Report also ranks the University of Idaho a Top 100 Best Value. A recent poll by the company Niche ranks our agricultural sciences program first in the Pacific Northwest — and higher than programs in every state that borders Idaho. At U of I, Idaho’s youth can learn from nationally recognized faculty, participate in cutting-edge research and elevate themselves in ways that enable them to accomplish their dreams. We want to help agriculture prosper and support other key areas of Idaho’s economy by both educating the state’s students and through our research enterprise. Much of the more than $115 million in research U of I conducted last year focused on the agricultural commodities first planted at the 24,000 Idaho farms and ranches that contribute nearly one-fifth of the state’s economic output. Idaho agriculture is a $16 billion industry that feeds this state and the entire world. Not only are we the nation’s top producer of potatoes, but we grow more malt barley than any other state in the country and are the nation’s fourth-largest wheat producing state. Idaho is also the third-largest dairy producer in the country. You’ve heard me talk about the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE), our Magic Valley research dairy where work has already begun. Once fully operational, this research center will provide important, sustainable solutions for our partners in industry. A 4-H class might be the first course students take from the University of Idaho, but we hope it’s not their last. When these students are ready to go on after high school, U of I will be there to support them any way we can. |