About Idaho Farmers

Our Mission

Idaho Farmers works to support and strengthen the agricultural backbone of Idaho by advocating for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Through education, policy engagement, and collaboration, we promote responsible land stewardship, agricultural innovation, and economic opportunity for the families who feed the nation.

Why Agriculture Matters in Idaho

Agriculture is not simply an industry in Idaho — it is the foundation of the state’s identity, economy, and way of life. For more than 150 years, Idaho farmers and ranchers have shaped the landscape, built communities, and produced food that sustains millions of people across the country and around the world.

Today, Idaho agriculture generates more than $26 billion in economic activity annually. The state ranks among the top producers of potatoes, dairy, barley, wheat, sugar beets, and cattle. Agriculture supports approximately one in every eight Idaho jobs, from farm laborers and equipment operators to food processors and logistics professionals.

But agriculture’s importance goes beyond economics. Farms and ranches maintain open space, protect watersheds, support wildlife habitat, and anchor the rural communities that define Idaho’s character. When agriculture thrives, Idaho thrives.

Our Work

Policy Engagement: We monitor and respond to state and federal legislation, regulations, and policy proposals that affect Idaho’s agricultural community.
Education and Outreach: We provide resources, information, and educational programming to help producers stay informed about policy developments and best practices.
Land and Water Stewardship: We promote responsible management of Idaho’s agricultural lands and water resources.
Rural Community Support: We advocate for the infrastructure, services, and economic development that rural communities need.
Agricultural Innovation: We highlight advancements in technology, sustainable practices, and farm management.
Research and Reporting: We publish reports and data on the state of Idaho agriculture.
Farm Data and Statistics: We curate and present Idaho agricultural data to inform producers, policymakers, and the public.

Board of Directors

The Idaho Farmers Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and governance. Board members are drawn from across Idaho’s agricultural community and serve rotating terms.

President — Presides over board meetings, sets organizational direction, serves as primary spokesperson.
Vice President — Supports the President, chairs committees, assumes presidential duties when needed.
Treasurer — Oversees financial management, budgets, and fiscal reporting.
Secretary — Maintains organizational records, meeting minutes, and correspondence.
Director, District 1 (North Idaho) — Represents producers in northern Idaho including the Palouse and Panhandle.
Director, District 2 (Southwest) — Represents producers in the Treasure Valley and surrounding areas.
Director, District 3 (South-Central) — Represents producers in the Magic Valley.
Director, District 4 (Eastern Idaho) — Represents producers in the upper Snake River Valley.

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council provides subject-matter expertise across key agricultural policy and production areas.

Water Policy Committee — Surface water, groundwater, aquifer management, irrigation policy, water rights.
Crop Production Committee — Row crops, specialty crops, soil health, pest management, ag technology.
Livestock and Dairy Committee — Beef cattle, dairy, grazing policy, animal health, livestock markets.
Farm Economics Committee — Commodity markets, agricultural lending, crop insurance, trade policy.
Land and Conservation Committee — Conservation programs, farmland preservation, rangeland management.
Rural Communities Committee — Infrastructure, broadband, rural health, education, workforce development.

Regional Representatives