agproud.com is the digital home of Progressive Dairy, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage and Ag Proud Idaho magazines. We offer content for dairy farmers, cattle ranchers and hay and forage growers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or magazines offered on dairy, beef, and forage at agproud.com https://www.agproud.com/rss/articles Depending on where you’re located in this great state, conditions vary, but overall the outlook is pretty bleak. And yes, it seems even more bleak than usual. Depending on where you’re located in this great state, conditions vary, but overall the outlook is pretty bleak. And yes, it seems even more bleak than usual.

]]> Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/63539-another-summer-of-water-worries http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/63539 Every now and then, a song comes along that just hits you right in the feels. “McArthur,” sung by Hardy, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw, is that song for me right now. It’s a gritty, story-driven piece that leans into legacy and land, with each voice stepping in as a different chapter in the life of a farm – and the family rooted in it. Every now and then, a song comes along that just hits you right in the feels. “McArthur,” sung by Hardy, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw, is that song for me right now. It’s a gritty, story-driven piece that leans into legacy and land, with each voice stepping in as a different chapter in the life of a farm – and the family rooted in it.

]]> Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/63330-and-when-you-pass-on-what-you-gonna-pass-down http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/63330 There’s a saying: Most people overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can accomplish in a year. Farming and ranching are much the same. The work never really ends. There are delays, sick days, unexpected storms (or, in this year’s case, none at all) and market disruptions. But if you look back over a year, you realize how much you truly accomplished. There’s a saying: Most people overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can accomplish in a year. Farming and ranching are much the same. The work never really ends. There are delays, sick days, unexpected storms (or, in this year’s case, none at all) and market disruptions. But if you look back over a year, you realize how much you truly accomplished.

]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/63207-the-work-never-ends http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/63207 A potato is a wondrous thing, isn’t it? I mean, yeah, it’s just a potato. There’s nothing fancy about it, and it’s not trying to trick you into believing it’s anything more than what it is. More than perhaps any other food on the planet, a potato is at peace with itself, confident in what it is, neither seeking to rise above its station nor bowing to anyone. A potato is a wondrous thing, isn’t it? I mean, yeah, it’s just a potato. There’s nothing fancy about it, and it’s not trying to trick you into believing it’s anything more than what it is. More than perhaps any other food on the planet, a potato is at peace with itself, confident in what it is, neither seeking to rise above its station nor bowing to anyone.  

]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/63005-the-reluctant-fame-of-the-humble-spud http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/63005 Idaho was the second-fastest-growing state in the nation from 2010 to 2020, hitting 17.3% growth over the decade. Idaho has gone from 1.567 million in the 2010 U.S. Census to 2.002 million in the July 2024 estimate. Idaho was the second-fastest-growing state in the nation from 2010 to 2020, hitting 17.3% growth over the decade. Idaho has gone from 1.567 million in the 2010 U.S. Census to 2.002 million in the July 2024 estimate.

]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/62823-idahos-rapid-growth-requires-loyalty-to-ag-interests http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/62823 I was hesitant to write on this topic because the last thing producers need is more weight on their shoulders. Still, understanding how we got here matters – because with every challenge are opportunities. They just might require thinking and operating a little differently. I was hesitant to write on this topic because the last thing producers need is more weight on their shoulders. Still, understanding how we got here matters – because with every challenge are opportunities. They just might require thinking and operating a little differently.

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/62669-volatility-isnt-going-away http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/62669 While attending the Idaho-Oregon Grain and Oilseed Convention in Sun Valley last month, I didn’t expect a breakout session to shape my Christmas message, but it did – reminding me how we all need hope and, at times, help. While attending the Idaho-Oregon Grain and Oilseed Convention in Sun Valley last month, I didn’t expect a breakout session to shape my Christmas message, but it did – reminding me how we all need hope and, at times, help.

]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/62540-the-hand-of-god http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/62540 That story reminds me that gratitude isn’t about stumbling upon life’s “nuggets” – the milestones, the grand gestures, the once-in-a-lifetime moments … the stuff. It’s about learning to see the flecks of gold hidden in the ordinary. I’m still learning, but the more I practice noticing them, the fuller my life becomes. That story reminds me that gratitude isn’t about stumbling upon life’s “nuggets” – the milestones, the grand gestures, the once-in-a-lifetime moments … the stuff. It’s about learning to see the flecks of gold hidden in the ordinary. I’m still learning, but the more I practice noticing them, the fuller my life becomes.

]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/62363-looking-for-the-flecks-of-gold http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/62363 Sure, I understood that this crinkly old piece of paper held some important numbers, but how was I supposed to know when it was tossed on the kitchen counter, looking like it had been in his pocket for weeks? So then, per usual, we went on the hunt – the hunt to find a paper that I should’ve known not to toss. Can anyone relate? Sure, I understood that this crinkly old piece of paper held some important numbers, but how was I supposed to know when it was tossed on the kitchen counter, looking like it had been in his pocket for weeks? So then, per usual, we went on the hunt – the hunt to find a paper that I should’ve known not to toss. Can anyone relate?

]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/62257-finding-a-better-place-to-work http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/62257 What do Warren Buffett and Jackie Chan have in common? Aside from their padded pockets from years of success and fame, they both have voiced publicly that they will not be leaving their fortunes to their children. What do Warren Buffett and Jackie Chan have in common? Aside from their padded pockets from years of success and fame, they both have voiced publicly that they will not be leaving their fortunes to their children.

]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/62083-the-gift-of-hardship http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/62083 But more recently, I think there’s another phrase that carries a similar weight: “Don’t mess with the West.” Or more specifically – don’t mess with its public lands. But more recently, I think there’s another phrase that carries a similar weight: “Don’t mess with the West.” Or more specifically – don’t mess with its public lands.

]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/61895-public-lands-under-pressure http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/61895 Whether it’s a developing a mitigation plan, modernizing water infrastructure, understanding how a changing climate impacts water resources or getting involved and making sure legislators know just have important this resource is, they are all pioneering efforts for tomorrow. Whether it’s a developing a mitigation plan, modernizing water infrastructure, understanding how a changing climate impacts water resources or getting involved and making sure legislators know just have important this resource is, they are all pioneering efforts for tomorrow.

]]> Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/61746-pioneers-of-today http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/61746 The danger is that AI is using us more than we are using it. It is literally just recalling info from info it has absorbed from something else. For those reasons, we are choosing to use it sparingly. If you want the purest form of a message, you need to go to the original source – the place AI is learning from. The danger is that AI is using us more than we are using it. It is literally just recalling info from info it has absorbed from something else. For those reasons, we are choosing to use it sparingly. If you want the purest form of a message, you need to go to the original source – the place AI is learning from.

]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/61595-our-stance-on-ai http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/61595 After we got home, my friend texted me apologizing for the chaos – for the moments she thought she was yelling too much and for what she considered a messy house. Of course, I hadn’t noticed any of that and reassured her everything was just fine. What I didn’t have the words for at the time, and what I really wanted her to know, is that I actually appreciate the real and the raw. I’ve always felt a connection to her because she is, in fact, human. After we got home, my friend texted me apologizing for the chaos – for the moments she thought she was yelling too much and for what she considered a messy house. Of course, I hadn’t noticed any of that and reassured her everything was just fine. What I didn’t have the words for at the time, and what I really wanted her to know, is that I actually appreciate the real and the raw. I’ve always felt a connection to her because she is, in fact, human.

]]> Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/61400-we-could-use-more-of-that http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/61400 We’ve all experienced that “small world” moment when you realize someone you just met knows someone you know. We’ve all experienced that “small world” moment when you realize someone you just met knows someone you know.

]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/61295-its-a-small-world-after-all http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/61295 There’s always plenty happening in agriculture – much of it beyond our control. There’s always plenty happening in agriculture – much of it beyond our control.

]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/61107-all-in-good-fun http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/61107 Now, I’m a sucker for a good quote, and during the Magic Valley Soil Health Forum in Twin Falls, I collected plenty of gems worth sharing. The meeting began with an open-mic-style segment where attendees offered their “words of wisdom” from their farm or industry experience. Many focused on soil health, but all of these nuggets can be applied to any area of business. Now, I’m a sucker for a good quote, and during the Magic Valley Soil Health Forum in Twin Falls, I collected plenty of gems worth sharing. The meeting began with an open-mic-style segment where attendees offered their “words of wisdom” from their farm or industry experience. Many focused on soil health, but all of these nuggets can be applied to any area of business.

]]> Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/60982-wisdom-from-the-road http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/60982 If I’m being honest, I can be pretty hard on myself – which might explain why the celebration of a new year isn’t always my favorite. If I’m being honest, I can be pretty hard on myself – which might explain why the celebration of a new year isn’t always my favorite.

]]> Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/60799-i-dont-really-like-new-years http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/60799 “No,” she replied, catching me off guard. I braced for a typical toddler response, but instead, she added, “Willow went to live with Jesus, and that makes me happy.” “No,” she replied, catching me off guard. I braced for a typical toddler response, but instead, she added, “Willow went to live with Jesus, and that makes me happy.”

]]> Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/60638-the-gift-of-hope http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/60638 Agriculture isn’t easy; it has a way of molding and stretching a person, but that’s what makes this way of life so rewarding. And that my friends, is truly a good life. Agriculture isn’t easy; it has a way of molding and stretching a person, but that’s what makes this way of life so rewarding. And that my friends, is truly a good life.

]]> Sun, 10 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/60531-the-good-life http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/60531 Idaho’s growth is often a focus of conversation to those who live here, but it seems to become even more so when an election year rolls around. Who are these people? Where are they coming from? Are they going to change Idaho? Or, in other words, what way will they vote? Idaho’s growth is often a focus of conversation to those who live here, but it seems to become even more so when an election year rolls around. Who are these people? Where are they coming from? Are they going to change Idaho? Or, in other words, what way will they vote?

]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/60394-whos-moving-to-idaho http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/60394 While chatting with a grower recently, he shared a saying he once heard: “You can mess with a guy’s wife, but you can’t mess with his water.” Depending on your sense of humor, that saying might come across as a bit crude, but I use it because it paints a picture of the realities of Western water disputes. While chatting with a grower recently, he shared a saying he once heard: “You can mess with a guy’s wife, but you can’t mess with his water.” Depending on your sense of humor, that saying might come across as a bit crude, but I use it because it paints a picture of the realities of Western water disputes.

]]> Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/60223-from-conflict-to-collaboration http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/60223 Since Ag Proud – Idaho started in 2019, we’ve been committed to delivering content that’s all ag, all Idaho, all the time. Covering a state as diverse and influential in agriculture as Idaho is no easy task. To enhance our magazine for the next five years, we’ve created a survey to gather your thoughts and preferences. Since Ag Proud – Idaho started in 2019, we’ve been committed to delivering content that’s all ag, all Idaho, all the time. Covering a state as diverse and influential in agriculture as Idaho is no easy task. To enhance our magazine for the next five years, we’ve created a survey to gather your thoughts and preferences.

]]> Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/60082-we-want-to-hear-from-you http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/60082 While this agreement is a significant step forward, it does not address the underlying issues in managing the aquifer. It merely buys some time for the state to formulate a more practical and effective management strategy before we find ourselves in a similar situation in the next growing season. While this agreement is a significant step forward, it does not address the underlying issues in managing the aquifer. It merely buys some time for the state to formulate a more practical and effective management strategy before we find ourselves in a similar situation in the next growing season.

]]> Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/59928-buying-some-time http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/59928 For those caught in the hustle and bustle of agricultural life, the hardest part about taking time off may be leaving the farm in the rearview mirror. However, taking a break doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities. For those caught in the hustle and bustle of agricultural life, the hardest part about taking time off may be leaving the farm in the rearview mirror. However, taking a break doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities.

]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/59739-family-first http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/59739 To all those who invest time and effort in mentoring youth in agriculture: Your impact not only inspires individual careers but also contributes to the collective strength of Idaho’s agricultural economy. To all those who invest time and effort in mentoring youth in agriculture: Your impact not only inspires individual careers but also contributes to the collective strength of Idaho’s agricultural economy.

]]> Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/59584-i-believe-in-the-future-of-agriculture http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/59584 With the recent release of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, we now have a clearer picture of agriculture’s changing landscape and, more specifically, how those shifting dynamics look in our state. With the recent release of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, we now have a clearer picture of agriculture’s changing landscape and, more specifically, how those shifting dynamics look in our state.

]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/59415-a-lot-can-happen-in-five-years http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/59415 Amazon Prime, Spotify, Audible, Netflix, SiriusXM … what do all these subscription services have in common? They’re notoriously tricky to cancel and easy to forget about altogether. Amazon Prime, Spotify, Audible, Netflix, SiriusXM … what do all these subscription services have in common? They’re notoriously tricky to cancel and easy to forget about altogether.

]]> Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/59188-do-you-like-what-you-see http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/59188 Known for our potatoes, and rightfully so, most people aren’t surprised to hear Idaho leads the nation in potato production, producing nearly one-third of all U.S. potatoes, as reported by the Idaho Department of Agriculture (IDA). Known for our potatoes, and rightfully so, most people aren’t surprised to hear Idaho leads the nation in potato production, producing nearly one-third of all U.S. potatoes, as reported by the Idaho Department of Agriculture (IDA).

]]> Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/59038-a-slam-dunk-idaho http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/59038 “Just people, right?” I whisper to myself as I write this editorial. “Just people, right?” I whisper to myself as I write this editorial.

]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/58808-im-just-like-you http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/58808