People in the News

Introducing the Idaho FFA state officers 2026-27

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

It is that time of year once again. Six accomplished individuals have been named Idaho FFA state officers for the 2026-27 school year.

Idaho FFA well represented at the 2025 National Convention

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The 98th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, wrapped up at the end of October with several standout moments from Idaho members. Out of the Idaho FFA members competing in 26 different Career and Leadership Development Events (CDEs), 10 teams or individuals placed in the top 10 nationally.

New hire: Pramod Acharya, University of Idaho Extension

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Ag Proud – Idaho would like you to meet Pramod Acharya.

Meet Idaho’s 2025-26 FFA state officers

cassidy@agproud.com — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In April, the following individuals were selected during the Idaho FFA State Convention in Twin Falls to represent the organization for the coming year. They will spend the next year conducting chapter visits, facilitating leadership events and advocating for the Idaho FFA Association.

Number of farmers and ranchers serving in legislature declining

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Are your state representatives farmers or ranchers? Does your state senator come from a career in ag? Does anyone from your legislative district even have ties to production agriculture? According to Doug Jones, state representative from 1985-2005, for the 2025 session, he counts around 20 members of both houses as agriculturalists.

Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame announces 2025 inductees

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Longtime leaders in Idaho’s agriculture industry were inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame (EIAHF) during the annual recognition dinner March 21 at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel in Fort Hall.

Idaho FFA’s big moments at the 2024 national convention

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Idaho was well represented at the 97th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the end of October. Among the highlights, Lucy Barney from the Rigby FFA Chapter earned national recognition as the champion in Equine Science Placement as part of her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), marking a major achievement for Idaho FFA.

New hire: Colby Field, University of Idaho Extension

cassidy@agproud.com — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Ag Proud – Idaho would like you to meet Colby Field.

Mountain Home FFA donation steer sells for an astonishing $91,910

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

With a goal to make $15,000 from the steer, all of the Mountain Home chapter members, including Chapter Advisor Kya Vines Bideganeta, were pleasantly surprised when the steer sold for $30,000 at the auction. However, this wasn't even the biggest surprise; the buyer Quanta West donated the steer back to the chapter to be sold again.

New hire: Kendra Kaiser, Idaho Water Resources Research Institute

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Ag Proud – Idaho would like you to meet Kendra Kaiser.

Introducing Idaho’s 2024-25 FFA state officers

cassidy@agproud.com — Thu, 30 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In April, the following individuals were selected during the Idaho FFA State Convention in Twin Falls to represent the organization for the coming year.

Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame 2024 honorees

Thu, 09 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame recognizes the men and women who have made positive impacts on the livestock industry. The newest inductees were honored on April 9 during the organization’s 63rd annual banquet in Twin Falls.

Ag Proud – Idaho awards three students in first-ever scholarship

cassidy@agproud.com — Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

For the first time, Ag Proud – Idaho offered three scholarships for Idaho’s high school seniors pursuing a career in agriculture. This initiative reflects Ag Proud – Idaho’s firm belief in the future of agriculture and a commitment to supporting the next generation of ag professionals.

Q&A with Scott Corbitt, general manager of the Port of Lewiston

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The conversation concerning the breaching of the dams on the Columbia-Snake River System has intensified in recent months and has only become more political. Ag Proud – Idaho’s Cassidy Woolsey recently spoke with Corbitt to learn more about the Port of Lewiston, its benefits to the state of Idaho and what impact the removal of the dams would have on agriculture.

Ag program’s ‘one-room schoolhouse’ poised for significant upgrade

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

New Plymouth High School’s current ag building was built in the 1940s and was intended as the classroom for a much smaller student enrollment. Now the school has seven ag classes per day with more than 160 kids enrolled.

Lynn Jaynes recognized for contributions to Idaho's agriculture industry

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Ag Proud – Idaho's very own emeritus editor Lynn Jaynes was recently honored with the Don Hale Idaho Hay and Forage Association (IHFA) Hall of Fame Award.

Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame announces 2024 inductees

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Seven longtime leaders in Idaho’s agriculture industry were selected to be inducted into the 50th Anniversary Class of the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame during the annual recognition dinner held on March 15.

Five Idahoans recognized with Governor's Awards for Excellence in Agriculture

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

As part of the annual Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit, Idaho's governor recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the Idaho agricultural industry. The following individuals were recognized during the event on Feb. 20.

Idaho rancher Kim Brackett elected as NCBA policy division chair

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Kim Brackett – a Three Creek, Idaho, rancher – was elected as the policy division chair for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) during the organization’s annual convention, held in Orlando, Florida.

Q&A with Mathew Weaver, Idaho Department of Water Resources

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Mathew Weaver was appointed by Gov. Brad Little as the new director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) last September. Ag Proud – Idaho’s Cassidy Woolsey caught up with Weaver to learn more about him, his priorities as director and other topics important for water users in the state of Idaho.

New hire: Jessica Windh, University of Idaho

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Ag Proud – Idaho would like for you to meet Jessica Windh.

Q&A with Trent Van Leuven, Idaho Teacher of the Year

cassidy@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Trent Van Leuven, agriscience instructor and FFA advisor at Mackay Junior/Senior High School, was named 2024 CapEd Credit Union Idaho Teacher of the Year.

Idaho FFA's standout moments at nationals

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:49:53 -0500

The 2023 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, concluded in early November, with several noteworthy achievements from Idaho students.

Role diversity for Idaho women in ag

Fri, 19 May 2023 10:39:42 -0400

While International Women’s Day is celebrated in March, focusing on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, we wanted to spotlight 13 women in the ag industry (of many to choose from).

Idaho ag news – December 2022

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 11:59:20 -0500

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released Idaho’s top 10 agricultural commodities update (for 2021) with comparisons of 2021 to 2020.

Hay cubes for the back country

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:18:36 -0400

Sometimes the farm focus has to change and bend a little to negotiate marketing curves. But it's better to bend than break.

Seagull Bay Dairy: Success on the local, national and international scale

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 15:42:29 -0400

“Efficient production from a healthy herd.” This slogan and business model of Seagull Bay and Andersen Dairy has established the operation not only in southern Idaho but on a global scale.