Canyon County is home to some of the richest and most diversified farmland in the nation. More than 100 different crops are grown in our county including many specialty crops not found in other parts of the country. The Agribusiness Committee meets monthly to develop ideas and projects that further advance our agricultural heritage. Projects include selecting and honoring the Canyon County Farm Family of the Year, the Youth Livestock Sale Buyers BBQ, Legislative and Media Ag Tours, Educational Crop Signage Program, and Legislative Advocacy.


Canyon County Farm Family of the Year

We select a different Canyon County Farm Family to honor each year.  A media announcement of the event is made in March during National Ag Week. The family biography, photos and a video are featured at the Canyon County Fair in booth space donated by the Canyon County Farm Bureau. The family is presented to the Caldwell and Nampa business communities each fall through sponsored lunches in both cities. The speech and video presentations at these luncheons have always been warmly received with standing ovations from the chamber members. Lastly the family is featured during the Holiday Season on the Canyon County Farm Family float at the Treasure Valley Night Light Parade which concludes the farm family year.

2011 Farm Family of the Year

Shaw Cattle Company

Canyon County Fair & Festival
www.canyoncountyfair.org 

Siphon Tube Setting Contest:   This includes local 4-H Clubs, FFA/VoAg Chapters, with local officials, politicians and agricultural leaders.

Youth Livestock Sale Buyers Breakfast:   We co-sponsor and conduct this important event as a “thank you” to all of the buyers at the 4-H & FFA Market Livestock Sale at the Canyon County Fair.

Canyon County Farm Family Booth:  The committee assists in the set up and operation of the booth in conjunction with the Canyon County Farm Bureau.

Legislative and Media Ag Tours

The committee has sponsored and conducted several legislative tours, the first in 2001 with other tours in 2004 and 2007.  These tours focus on critical issues such as water supply/usage, economic impacts of agriculture and quality of life.  The committee provides a variety of information geared toward educating elected officials and assisting them in making informed decisions.

Educational Crop Signage Project

Committee members place crop identification signs throughout major thoroughfares in our county. The goal of this endeavor is to educate the public on the various types of specialty crops that are grown in the Treasure Valley. This past year, the signs were placed along the newly designated Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway, which this committee helped sponsor. The Byway, which is entirely in Canyon County, starts off of Highway 55 near Melba on Map Rock Road and closely follows the Snake River toward Parma. Signage along the way points out historical, cultural, recreational, archaeological and agricultural aspects of the county. The Byway passes through the heartland of a multitude of crops and its signage, along the way, includes the wineries and vineyards of our county.

Legislative Advocacy

The committee develops an annual position statement on agricultural issues. The issues include; land use, weed control, water and environmental concerns. The position statement is reviewed and approved by the chamber boards and then presented to the legislature.

Thanks to our 2010 Nampa/Caldwell Agri-Business Farm Family Sponsors

Amalgamated Sugar Company Banner Bank Seedbiotics/a Becker Underwood Company Commercial Tire Crookham Company D.L. Evans Bank G & R Ag Products, Inc. Idaho Power Idaho Press Tribune Intermountain Community Bank Northwest Farm Credit Services

Pioneer Hi-Bred International Pioneer Title Silverhawk Real Estate Farm and Ranch Treasure Valley Livestock Wells Fargo Wilbur Ellis Zions Bank Bank of the Cascades