About Montana Idaho Engine

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The NSF Engine: Forest And Rangeland Technology Hub for Economic Resilience (FARTHER) will establish a knowledge institute and nexus for innovation, research translation, and workforce development in Montana, Idaho, and connected Tribal Nations. This region has a shared culture and history of natural resource-based industries dependent on resilient forest and rangelands. Regional forests and rangelands are prone to risks from ecosystem hazards, which threaten both food systems and rural economies. By engaging an inclusive impact network, FARTHER aims to catalyze smart technologies and innovations to address the geostrategic challenges of resilient ecosystems, food systems, and rural economies

FARTHER will be a regional knowledge institute that will leverage the rich regional resources in precision land management to conduct the following: 

• Establish a globally recognized expertise in precision land management, offering expertise, data, and processes to organizations worldwide.
• Develop products, tools, and services to sustain forest and rangeland industries while providing business and scientific resources to nascent regional companies to accelerate their commercialization.
• Connect regional talent with training programs to enhance skills matching regional company needs and expand workforce development pathways.
• Cultivate an inclusive community of innovation, empowering underrepresented groups in shaping the future of land management through strategic stakeholder engagement and a framework supporting ideation to commercialization.