Idaho
Despite loss of farmland, Idaho’s agriculture industry is still producing more than ever • Idaho Capital Sun
Two years ago, Galen Lee was trying to buy a plot of land in Fruitland to farm, but he was outbid by a housing developer for twice as much as he could offer.
Lee is a fourth generation farmer in Payette County, and he raises sugar beets, peppermint, asparagus, alfalfa, corn and beef.
This year, those developers converted 20 acres of that piece of land in Fruitland into housing developments. Next year, they will develop it into more housing, Lee said.
“It’s frustrating as a farmer, but it makes sense economically,” he told the Idaho Capital Sun.
Lee is one of many farmers who is competing against other industries for land.
Between 2017 and 2022, Idaho lost 2,119 farms and 144,000 acres of farmland, according to the U.S. Census of Agriculture’s 2022 data, which was released in February.
And the main reason behind Idaho’s loss in farmland is an increase in population growth and the demand for development, Sean Ellis, spokesperson for the Idaho Farm Bureau told the Sun.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Idaho’s population increased 17% between 2010 to 2020, or by about 272,000 people. That population growth has increased the demand for housing in Idaho, he said.
Kootenai County, the Treasure Valley, Twin Falls County, Franklin County and counties near Idaho Falls had the highest increase in housing units to supplement population growth, census data shows.
“In a lot of cases, developers are offering someone a pretty penny for their land, and what they’re offering is too much and too attractive to turn down,” Ellis told the Sun.
Despite Idaho’s loss in farmland, Idaho’s agricultural sector still runs strong as modern farming practices have helped farmers produce more with less land.
Idaho farmers produce more with less
Idaho State Statistician Ben Johnson told the Sun that the data in the agricultural census won’t show causation for loss in farmland, but it may support certain claims such as urban sprawl or conversion to other environmental uses.
“A couple of data points that could be concerning, in Idaho it shows 60% of farms are reporting net losses and 60% of producers’ primary occupation is not farming,” he said. “The largest loss in farm numbers are in the smaller farm categories, which could suggest that it’s not economically prudent to keep putting money into a ‘hobby farm’ especially with the rise in costs and the incentive to sell with record high land values.”
Idaho is not alone in having a decrease in farmland.
Idaho and neighboring states are a part of a national trend of decreasing farmland. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture, the country lost more than 20 million acres of farmland, and about 142,000 farms between 2017 and 2022.
“Farmland in the U.S. has continued to shrink for decades, but if you look at the facts, farmers right now in the U.S. as a whole are producing a lot more food on a lot less land than they did four decades ago,” Ellis told the Sun.
Agricultural census data shows the country sold more than $540 billion worth of agricultural products in 2022, an increase from $388 billion in 2017 — when there was more farmland. While the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation jumped prices to record highs in 2022, Johnson said the cost of production for farms also jumped up 30% nationally and 40% in Idaho in comparison to 2017.
This increase in sales is possible because farmers have partnered with research institutions such as the University of Idaho to find ways to increase yields, Ellis said.
Some examples include researching methods to reduce tillage, exploring which soil organisms can enhance wheat yields, and developing tools to manage farm water from a smartphone, John O’ Connell, spokesperson for the University of Idaho told the Sun.
“So, that’s a good thing, but the loss in farmland is not a good thing,” Ellis said. “It certainly is concerning, but it’s not catastrophic because we are producing more food than we ever had.”
Jan Roeser, an economist with the Idaho Department of Labor, affirmed Ellis’ thoughts in a July report. While Idaho’s loss in farmland sounds alarming, Roeser said the decrease in farmland is the result of Idaho farmers using more automation and practices learned through research and development to create higher yields.
“While Idaho’s agricultural acreage continues to face ongoing development challenges, human ingenuity and consumer demand for niche products are creating opportunities and advancing efficient farm practices for future generations,” she said in the report.
According to the agricultural census, Idaho produced $10.8 billion worth of agricultural products, a spike up from $7.6 billion in 2017.
“The automation and adapting practices have kept our levels of production resilient,” Roeser told the Sun in an email.
Lee, who owns 1,200 acres of land, said he recognizes the role agricultural research has played in helping increase production.
“Absolutely, we’re improving all the time,” he said about modern farming tactics. “Our yields are getting better. But once the land comes out of production and goes to houses, it never goes back. As we lose this farm ground, we’re losing the capability to produce food.”
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.
The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.
Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.
“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.
That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.
WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.
“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.
ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength
Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.
“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.
This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.
Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.
Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.
The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.
“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.
The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.
Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.
“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.
“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.
The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.
The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.
The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.
To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.
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