College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrated the official opening of its new Agricultural Sciences Complex and Simplot Agriculture Building (NAGB) this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Nampa Campus on Progress Way and Cherry Lane in Nampa. This expansion is a major investment in agricultural education and workforce training across the Treasure Valley. Joining in the celebration was city leaders, state legislators, university partners including University of Idaho President C. Scott Green, Simplot Foundation, and Technical Advisory Committee members.
This state-of-the-art facility blends 40 acres and 38,000 square feet of innovative instructional space with sustainable design, creating a modern hub for hands-on education and research. Thoughtfully designed using day lighting principles, the complex ensures that every classroom and lab is infused with natural light. With nearly 300 registrations in programs such as Agricultural Business, Leadership, and Education; Animal Veterinary Sciences; Fermentation Science; and Horticulture Technology, a number of students will embrace learning in this new, modern environment blending indoor and outdoor learning.
The space also includes a student-designed arboretum that will serve as both an educational and community resource. It is the first registered arboretum in the city of Nampa.
“The Agricultural Sciences Complex is a shining example of what happens when a community invests in education,” said Mike Peña, President of the CWI Foundation Board. “This facility will not only transform the lives of students but also strengthen the agricultural industry that is so vital to our region. The Foundation is proud to support CWI’s vision and excited to see the impact this Complex will have for generations to come.”
Tuesday’s celebration also honored key community partners who played a vital role in making this vision a reality, including legislators and Gov. Brad Little. Generous contributions from the J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, naming the academic building on the complex, along with support from the Crookham Company played a key role in bringing the Agricultural Sciences Complex to life, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing education and supporting the future leaders of agriculture in Idaho. There are still opportunities for community support through CWI’s Powering the Treasure Valley campaign, which aims to raise $30 million for campus development, student scholarships, and enhancing academic programs.
Classes in the Complex began Aug. 18, with more than 20 courses being offered this fall. The 38,000 square feet of classroom and lab space supports training in horticulture, landscape design, floral science, and animal science.
The Agricultural Sciences Complex, along with the recently opened Health and Science Building (NCHS) and the CapEd Student Success Center (NCSC) that will open Fall 2026, demonstrates CWI’s continued commitment to expanding educational access, fueling workforce growth, and strengthening the economic vitality of the Treasure Valley.
See how CWI is shaping the future of education in the Treasure Valley. For more information, visit cwi.edu.
