Agriculture

FARE is an acronym for Food Agriculture Restaurants and Establishments. The nonprofit trade association advocates for Idaho farmers, ranchers, food and beverage producers, plus independent restaurants, bars and grocers.

Congress is scrambling this week to avoid a shutdown of the federal government. If lawmakers can’t reach a deal, agriculture and food aid programs could see impacts, and passage of the Farm Bill would face likely delays.

Farmers and Ranchers in the west are being pressured by rising production costs, increased workloads and extreme weather. No wonder they are facing higher levels of stress and mental health issues than other Americans.

Idaho Matters takes a look at the news that made headlines this week, including why agricultural workers in the West are facing mental health issues and an update on Biden's new save program.

Every year migrant workers make their way to Idaho to help fill a gap in the agricultural industry. These are some of the most difficult jobs in the state and unfortunately seem to come with a variety of risks.

Harvest time is on the horizon for many farmers. But a recent study published in the journal 'Nature Sustainability' shows that there are fewer and fewer farms – which could have great implications for produce prices and access.

Farm and ranch lands across the west face many threats - like inflation and outside development, but the federal government is working with agricultural producers to preserve open space and the benefits it provides.

More winter weather is pouring into the area this week, especially the mountains and eastern Oregon. Livestock producers in our region have been hit hard by all this cold, snowy weather. That’s why several states have asked the federal government for relief.

In the United States, 36% of farmers are female and in Idaho, that number goes up to 39%. Despite these numbers though when many of us close our eyes to imagine what a farmer or a rancher looks like, we picture a man. Well, that is an image that one researcher is trying to change.

The shrinking Great Salt Lake puts Utah at risk of an ecological and public health emergency. Local scientists are stepping up, sharing actionable steps to help save it.