The Kimberly Research and Extension Center will host a Sustainable Gardens Bike Tour on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The event takes place at the center’s facility at 3806 E 3600 N in Kimberly, Idaho. Those seeking additional information can contact the center directly at 208-423-4691.
A Hub for Magic Valley Agriculture
The Kimberly Research and Extension Center has served southern Idaho agriculture since its founding in 1950. Today the facility spans 194 irrigated acres and includes four greenhouses, research laboratories, a seed processing and storage facility, and a dedicated potato storage research complex. Resources are shared with the USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soil Research Laboratory, located adjacent to the property.
The center supports agricultural producers across the eight counties of the Magic Valley, conducting research into disease management, potato storage practices, plant-insect interactions, biological control strategies, and weed management. The facility is operated under the University of Idaho‘s Extension network, which connects research-based knowledge directly to farmers, crop advisors, and agribusiness professionals throughout the region.
Agriculture remains the backbone of the Magic Valley economy. Irrigation infrastructure transformed what was once high desert into some of the most productive farmland in the American West. Nearly half of all jobs in the Magic Valley are tied, directly or indirectly, to agribusiness. Idaho’s farm cash receipts reached a record $11.3 billion in 2024, underscoring the industry’s economic weight for the state.
Research Programs at the Center
Much of the center’s work centers on potato production — one of Idaho’s signature crops. Scientists study storage management, sprout and disease control, and variety-specific practices for maintaining tuber quality from harvest through distribution. A potato postharvest physiology program, launched in 2022, examines how different cultivars respond to storage conditions at the biochemical level, including respiratory activity, metabolic shifts, and wound healing at low temperatures.
The entomology program investigates insect pest biology and behavior in sugar beet and potato systems, with the goal of developing management strategies that are both economically sound and environmentally responsible. Research interests include biological control and plant-insect interactions, with University of Idaho Extension specialists delivering findings to producers, county educators, and master gardeners across the region.
Weed science researchers at the center focus on herbicide-resistant weeds and herbicide injury in southern Idaho cropping systems. Work emphasizes developing and evaluating best practices for key crops such as sugar beets, dry beans, corn, and small grains. Researchers conduct herbicide-resistant weed surveys across southern Idaho to generate locally relevant data that supports integrated management strategies.
The center also conducts multiple field days throughout the year, giving producers and agribusiness professionals direct access to the latest research findings in a practical, hands-on format.
Community Education and Outreach
The May 28 bike tour fits within the center’s broader mission of public outreach and agricultural education. Events like this give community members — not just professional producers — a chance to see research-based sustainable gardening practices in action. With the Magic Valley’s agricultural identity woven into its civic fabric, educational programming at the Kimberly center serves a wide audience, from commercial growers to backyard gardeners.
The tour comes as local interest in sustainable food production and irrigation efficiency continues to grow. Twin Falls County residents looking to connect locally grown food with conservation practices will find the event a fitting opportunity heading into the summer growing season.
For those interested in the center’s work or upcoming programs, the full range of research divisions — including forages, irrigation, water resources, dry beans, and entomology — can be explored through the University of Idaho Extension network. Students and young professionals in the region who have pursued agricultural or science-related paths through institutions like the College of Southern Idaho may find particular value in the applied research being done just down the road in Kimberly.
What Comes Next
The Sustainable Gardens Bike Tour is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Kimberly Research and Extension Center, 3806 E 3600 N, Kimberly, Idaho 83341. For event details or to inquire about other programs, contact the center at 208-423-4691. Additional agricultural and education news from across the region is available at Idaho News.