According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture’s 2022 data, released in February, Idaho has lost 2,119 farms, or 8.5% of its total farms, between 2017 and 2022.
Idaho’s contiguous states have also lost farm operations, most to a greater degree than Idaho. Among border states, only Oregon and Utah lost less farms than Idaho.
Idaho Department of Labor economist Jan Roeser will provide an overview of the data presented in a free webinar Tuesday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pacific Time.
“The strength and resilience of the industry has always been fascinating given I grew up on a small farm/ranch operation in southern Idaho,” Roeser said. “The inherent risks of weather, annual lines of credit to renew, prices of inputs, labor and equipment along with the volatile pricing market all create disruption regularly.”
Roeser states while Idaho is losing farm acres to development, it sustains a huge value-added industry in Idaho which comes with a deep supply chain.
Individuals interested in attending Tuesday’s webinar can register for the event on Zoom.
All future webinars and registration event information can be found on the department’s calendar of events.
