Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Viability in Idaho
The Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Viability in Idaho brought together landowners and leaders of Idaho agribusiness, academia, conservation, development, community organizations, and government to examine the challenges facing Idaho’s working lands and to identify practical solutions for the future. Co-hosted by Governor Brad Little’s Office, the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, the Idaho Farm & Ranch Center, and American Farmland Trust, the summit created a shared space for dialogue on how Idaho can balance growth while sustaining a viable agricultural economy.
Opening remarks from Governor Brad Little emphasized the challenge Idaho faces in managing rapid population growth while protecting the agricultural industry. He stressed the need for thoughtful, forward-looking solutions that protect agriculture while planning for continued growth. The Governor also shared the power that multi-generation family farms have in ensuring the long-term success of Idaho’s agricultural economy.
These themes were reinforced by Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt, who described the “massive headwinds” facing producers across the state. Despite historically high food inflation, farmers and ranchers are not seeing corresponding gains in profitability, underscoring the urgency of strengthening Idaho agricultural viability.
Research presented by the University of Idaho and Boise State University illustrated current trends in farmland loss and community impacts. Remarks from American Farmland Trust Idaho Senior Manager David Anderson and Senior Fellow Julia Freedgood highlighted the accelerating pace of farmland conversion, particularly from low-density development, and emphasized the critical role of local planning, zoning, and policy tools in balancing growth with agricultural viability. Braden Jensen, Governmental Affairs Director with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, framed the event as a space for thoughtful idea sharing across sectors and noted the diversity of participants, from landowners and producers to planners and local officials, stressing that advancing viable, balanced solutions will require listening to different perspectives and challenging ideas rather than defaulting to easy answers.
Midday sessions focused on solutions, exploring how agribusiness, local governments, planners, and producers can work together to support working lands. Idaho-based case studies demonstrated proactive planning approaches that protect agricultural economies while responding to community needs.
In the afternoon, participants’ experiences and ideas became the focal point of the summit. Breakout sessions provided opportunities to explore the agricultural viability “toolbox,” including county-level planning tools, agricultural easements, farm profitability and management strategies, and succession planning for the next generation.
Attendee’s real-time feedback related to specific issues was recorded using live Mentimeter polling. Participants overwhelmingly identified development pressure as the greatest threat to agricultural land in Idaho. Other frequently cited concerns included rising costs, urban sprawl, political challenges, and difficulties in passing farms and ranches to the next generation. Respondents also noted barriers such as limited incentives to keep land in agricultural production, water availability, challenges for new and beginning farmers, misalignment of county and local policies, and a lack of public understanding of agriculture’s value to Idaho’s economy and communities.
The summit concluded with interactive discussions on barriers and opportunities, community engagement, and a shared call to action. Conversations emphasized the importance of collaborative and adaptive approaches to sustaining Idaho agriculture into the future. The day also marked the launch of the American Farmland Trust’s Thriving Farms and Ranches initiative, bringing together partners from across the nation to uplift and strengthen those who steward America’s working lands and bolster the resiliency of farms, ranches, and rural communities.
The Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Viability sparked meaningful statewide conversation about farmland loss and the future of Idaho agriculture, while reinforcing the importance of shared leadership, practical tools, and continued cross-sector collaboration.
Event Coverage
The summit received statewide media attention, highlighting both the urgency of farmland loss and the importance of collaborative solutions. Coverage included reporting from the Idaho Press Tribune on development pressures and rising costs facing Idaho agriculture, as well as analysis from the Capital Press on trends in agricultural land conversion across the state.
Additional stories published, including St. Joseph Post, Morning AgClips, Governor's Summit on Agricultural Viability in Idaho | Idaho Farm Bureau, and Ag Information Network.
Video recordings from the Summit are available at: Summit Recordings.
Additional resources and opportunities for engagement can be found through the American Farmland Trust Idaho Program.
