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A Little Ranch Story: The Governor's Tradition
from IdaHome--July
A Little Ranch Story The Governor’s Family Tradition
“I wake up at night, worrying about the debt load of the Federal Government,” said Idaho’s dedication to serve through many more sleepless nights: his concern for the people and land that define Idaho. Lieutenant Governor, Brad Little in October 2018. “I worry what will happen to people when some of these programs go away.” This quote is excerpted from an interview during Lieutenant Governor Brad Little’s campaign to become Idaho’s 33rd Governor. The fiscal challenges that accompany his winning the top office have not faded, but it’s almost hyperbole to state the unprecedented health crisis has superseded all Brad Little’s governing imperatives. Clearly, one theme remains predominant in Governor Little’s So where does the governor seek respite from 24/7 job stress? “The ranch is where I go to unwind,” Little says. “I ride Old Buster out to look at the cattle, the grass, the range improvements. I check out the seedlings we planted 10 years ago and see how that investment has made a big improvement in the ecosystem.” Little’s stewardship of the land and livestock runs in his DNA. His grandfather, ‘Andy’ Little, arrived in Idaho from Glasgow in 1884 with twenty-five dollars and two border 24 www.idahomemagazine.com
BY KAREN DAY
collies. He settled in Emmet and by 1935, “The Sheep King of Idaho” employed 400 men to care for his 100,000 head of sheep that produced a million pounds of wool a year.
The familial roots of First Lady Teresa Little, also run deep in Idaho soil and history with her forebearers among the first Europeans to settle Latah County in 1877. Like her husband, Teresa Soulen Little was raised shearing, shipping and lambing. Seven generations later, many relatives
raised sheering, shipping and lambing. computer. We Seven generations later, many relatives all still come still bind her to the rolling hills of the together for Palouse. branding. The Ranching families attest their work is as much a devoted way of life as occupation. Each year and every season is dominated by nature’s timing, hard work, courage, determination, resilience, and duty. Deep concern for the environment and animals is a given or success is impossible. And the rewards are self-replenishing, with the freedom community joins in. My dad really enjoys getting out and roping. My older brother, Adam, an attorney in Boise, helps with the business too.” and independence of repeatedly “I really appreciate the respect each stewarding each herd, crop and flock to individual has for the abilities of the health. Love of the outdoors coupled members of the crew when we’re with an active lifestyle fueled by familial working together,” Teresa adds. ties explain why the Little’s second son, David, left his career as an accountant in Seattle and returned to Emmet in 2008 to manage Little Land and Livestock, with his wife, Kelsey and his three sons, Jay, Dylan and Henry. “The real rewards are the multigenerational traditions,” says Governor Little. “Seeing our grandkids enjoy what we and our children enjoyed is a joy.” Presently, the First Family enjoys six grandchildren.
“I always knew I’d come back,” says But beyond family comradery and David, holding his youngest, Jay, while homemade biscuits and jam at branding pushing a 100 head into the corral. “My events, Little Land and Livestock has a summer job was always trailing sheep bottom line to fulfill. The business has and fixing fence up in Cascade. We faced the same financial downturn as spent a lot of time on horseback. It’s a most during the viral economy. good way to grow up.” David notes that much has changed yet stayed the same through the Little’s generations of ranching. “My dad learned ranching from my grandfather, who learned it from his father. I learned it from my dad. Technology has made some things easier, but the shared values and the job is pretty much the same-except for the hours at the David adjusts his baseball cap and looks out across the 200 acres of corn fields they lease out for cultivation. He squints as if trying to see the future beyond the hills of Emmett. “With the restaurants closed, everybody is suffering. We’re trying to push our meat mainly through grocery stores now, but all commodities are sufferingmilk, corn--it’ll recover. People always need food.” He shrugs. “Eventually.” There are other problems as well, new housing developments and an expanding population threaten Idaho open space. “My foreman and I are The Little family celebrates Father’s Day in a big way! surprised all the time
David, Dylan, Jay, Henry and Kelsey Little continue the family tradition.
up in the high country.” David shakes his head. “Everybody has an ATV these days. You can’t stop progress. I mean, of course, we use 4-wheelers, but you still need a good horse when cows get into the trees.”
Neither progress nor politics have pushed Brad and Teresa Little from the family home on the Main Street Emmet, where they have lived for several decades. David’s family resides close by, with his boys attending his same grade schools.
“You’re tied to the land here,” he explains. “You grow up knowing your neighbors, your community, even your vet. Ranchers and farmers stick around. That’s why we have so many in the Idaho legislature.”
Will he follow his father’s footsteps into politics?
“Maybe, if there’s a need to be filled. But for now, we feel fortunate to have started in agriculture and still be here after all these generations. And hopefully, a few more.”
“That’s me,” states 10-year-old Henry. He already exudes the confidence of an elder statesman, which may prove prophetic. Henry’s great grandfather also served in the Idaho Legislature.
David laughs and walks off toward the corral, followed by 3 Little boys carrying cow whips.
