Summer 2013 Volume 13, Issue 3

Summer 2013 Volume 13, Issue 3

Idaho Preferred Marks 10-Year Anniversary – pg. 4

Life on the Range - One Year on a Sheep Ranch – pg. 8

Food Page, Crossword and UI Forestry Column – All Inside

The Ag Agenda 007 in Farmland

By Bob Stallman

President American Farm Bureau Federation

National events this summer seem to have taken a page from a spy thriller. With accusations of government surveillance methods being used on American citizens and the media’s coverage from Hong Kong to Moscow of National Security Agency leaks, it’s easy to see why Americans would question the government’s ability or will-

ingness to protect their privacy.

I typically leave espionage for the movies.

But, when the government tries to expose farmers’ and ranchers’ personal information, the issues of government data collecting and personal privacy hit home— literally.

From Russia with Love The Environmental Protection Agency See STALLMAN, page 6

The President’s Desk

Reforming our Broken Immigration System

America’s farmers and ranchers need a balanced immigration reform bill that includes a fair and workable farm labor provision.

That is what we got in June, when the Senate passed S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, was welcomed by farmers and ranchers.

By Frank Priestley President Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Passage of the Senate bill was the first

step toward securing a comprehensive agricultural labor plan that works for all sectors of agriculture and across all regions of our nation. The Senate-passed bill will help ensure an adequate supply of farm labor. It also provides increased surveillance of high-risk areas along our borders.

Even with that progress, much work remains as we now focus on the House, where we will continue to work toward passage of responsible immigration reSee PRIESTLEY, page 6

Inside Farm Bureau

The August Congressional Recess

By Rick Keller CEO Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

2

A couple of weeks ago, IFBF President Frank Priestley and I were in Washington, D.C. to meet with Idaho’s congressional delegation. We met with Senator Mike Crapo, Senator Jim Risch, Congressman Raúl Labrador, and Congressman Mike Simpson. Our purpose was to remind each of Farm Bureau’s concern on national issues that affect rural Idaho and

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SPRING 2013

agriculture. The issues most discussed were: Agricultural Labor-Immigration Reform, Agriculture and Tax Reform, the Farm Bill, and the emerging Department of Interior Secretary’s National Blueways Systems order. Each member of the delegation we visited with was gracious and receptive to Farm Bureau members’ issues. Idaho is blessed with an accessible delegation that many other state Farm Bureaus envy.

See KELLER, page 7

Volume 13, Issue 3

IFBF OFFICERS

President ................................... Frank Priestley, Franklin Vice President ..................................Mark Trupp, Driggs Executive Vice President .............................. Rick Keller

Contents Features

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bryan Searle ............................................................Shelley Scott Bird .......................................................... Pocatello Chris Dalley ....................................................... Blackfoot Dean Schwendiman ........................................... Newdale Danny Ferguson ........................................................Rigby Scott Steele ..................................................... Idaho Falls Gerald Marchant .................................................. Oakley Rick Pearson ................................................... Hagerman Mike Garner.............................................................. Declo Curt Krantz ............................................................ Parma Mike McEvoy..................................................... Middleton Tracy Walton ....................................................... Emmett Marjorie French .............................................. Princeton Bob Callihan . ...................................................... Potlatch Tom Daniel ............................................... Bonners Ferry Carol Guthrie ......................................................... Inkom Cody Chandler ..................................................... Weiser STAFF Dir. of Admin. Services ....................... Nancy Shiozawa Dir. of Organization............................... Dennis Brower Commodities & Marketing Assistant ........... Peg Pratt Member Services Assistant . ................... Peggy Moore Publice Relations Assistant ..................... Dixie Ashton Dist. I Regional Manager .......................... Justin Patten Dist. II Regional Manager ....................... Kendall Keller Dist. III Regional Manager .................. Charles Garner Dist. IV Regional Manager ..........................Brody Miller Dist. V Regional Manager ...................... Bob Smathers Dir. of Governmental Affairs ...............Russ Hendricks Asst. Dir. of Governmental Affairs ... Dennis Tanikuni Director of Public Relations ............. John Thompson Video Services Manager ............................ Steve Ritter Broadcast Services Manager .................... Jake Putnam Office Manager, Boise ................... Julie Christoffersen Member Services Manager ........................ Joel Benson Printed by: Owyhee Publishing, Homedale, ID

Dinner in the Orchard: Idaho Preferred celebrates its ten-year anniversary

PAGE 4

Crossword Puzzle

PAGE 21 Food Page: A Taste of Idaho

Life on the Range: Observations from a year on a sheep ranch

PAGE 24

PAGE 8

Save the Date: Trailing of the Sheep Festival

Focus on Agriculture

PAGE 30

PAGE 12 University of Idaho Forestry: Create a defensible space.

It could save your home

PAGE 18

Northeast municipalities declare food sovereignty

PAGE 33

IDAHO FARM BUREAU QUARTERLY USPS #022-899, is published quarterly by the IDAHO FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, 275 Tierra Vista Drive, Pocatello, ID 83201.

POSTMASTER send changes of address to: IDAHO FARM BUREAU QUARTERLY P.O. Box 4848, Pocatello, ID 83205-4848.

Periodicals postage paid at Pocatello, ID and additional mailing offices.

Subscription: $4 a year included in Farm Bureau dues.

MAGAZINE CONTACTS: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation EDITOR (208) 239-4292 • ADS (208) 239-4279 E-MAIL: dashton@idahofb.org www.idahofb.org

Cover: The Idaho Preferred Program, a division of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, has been promoting Idaho-grown products for the past ten years. Over that time the program has helped bridge the gap between consumers and farmers.

DEPARTMENTS The Ag Agenda: Bob Stallman............................................................. 2 The President’s Desk: Frank Priestley.............................................. 2 Inside Farm Bureau: Rick Keller......................................................... 2 Crossword Puzzle............................................................................... 21 Insurance Matters............................................................................... 34 Classifieds ............................................................................................ 42

Photo by Steve Ritter

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

3

Symms Fruit Ranch in Canyon County hosted the Dinner in the Orchard, held on July 13.

Photo by Steve Ritter

Idaho Preferred Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

By John Thompson Established in 2003, the Idaho Preferred Program recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary at a dinner event set in a Canyon County orchard.

The meal was a microcosm of the program’s mission, which is to showcase the quality, diversity and availability of Idaho food products and to capitalize on the growing demand for local food. The event was held at Symms Fruit Ranch. About 130 guests attended.

“This event is a great way for consumers to learn about the vast Idaho agriculture industry,” said Leah Clark, who manages the Idaho Preferred Program. “The table will be set beneath rows of cherry trees, 4

ripe with fruit and allow guests to see firsthand how orchards are managed and fruit is harvested. Dinner in the Orchard will be highlighted by exceptional local foods, excellent wines poured by three local vintners and an outstanding view of the Snake River Valley.”

Idaho Preferred was established under the leadership of the late Pat Takasugi, former director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. The meal was prepared in the orchard without electricity or running water by Executive Chef Dean Fuller of Castle Ranch Steakhouse in Boise.

Gayle Batt, a state legislator from Canyon County who attended the event said it was a special event for her because it honored Takasugi and a program that he helped es-

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

tablish, that has grown into a valuable asset for Idaho agriculture.

“I think it’s a really special event because it not only shares our backyard with the rest of the valley, it shares what drives Idaho’s economy,” she said.

According to the Idaho Preferred website at www.idahopreferred.com, the program was established with help from a federal grant. Its mission is to identify and promote food and agricultural products grown, raised, or processed in the Gem State. Administered by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, the program showcases the quality, diversity, and availability of Idaho food and agricultural products and is seeking to capitalize on consumers’ growing demand for local products.

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Dinner in the Orchard 2 – Executive Chef Dean Fuller of Castle Ranch Steakhouse in Boise, prepared the meal for about 130 guests.

Photo by Steve Ritter

The program has been successful in raising consumer awareness of Idaho food and agriculture products. Idaho retailers such as Albertsons, Paul’s Market, and Wal-Mart have embraced the program with in-store demonstrations, product identification, promotions, and sales ads.

Effective TV, radio and billboard advertising along with several special events keep Idaho products top of mind with consumers. Farmers markets across the state are taking advantage of the Idaho Preferred® program to increase awareness of local products at their markets.

cludes a fundraising component featuring Idaho food and agriculture products as options to the traditional school fundraisers.

In addition to marketing programs, Idaho Preferred® has launched an exciting school initiative. The program aims not only to educate children about healthy eating and Idaho agriculture but also to increase the number of local foods on the menu. The Idaho Preferred® school program also in-

Consumer Events

Currently over 200 farmers, ranchers, fruit growers, winemakers, bread bakers, specialty foods companies and nurseries are participants in the Idaho Preferred® program. Idaho Preferred® participants have the opportunity to take advantage of: Retail promotions Foodservice partnerships Educational programs TV and radio advertising Website Listing Media opportunities

Dinner in the Orchard, a special event sponsored by Idaho Preferred, showcased local wines from three Idaho vintners.

Photo by Steve Ritter

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

5

STALLMAN Continued from page 2 recently was planning to publicly release personal information about tens of thousands of farmers and ranchers and their families in response to several Freedom of Information Act requests from media and other companies. The result? Farmers’ and ranchers’ names, home addresses, GPS coordinates and personal contact information would be up for grabs by anyone who asks for it.

The American Farm Bureau Federation said, “Not so fast.”

Protecting farmers’ and ranchers’ right to privacy is a top priority for Farm Bureau. That’s why we took legal action.

AFBF filed a lawsuit and sought a temporary restraining order to block EPA from releasing the private information into the public domain.

What many people don’t realize is that the majority of farmers and ranchers and their families don’t just work on the farm—they live there, too. By turning over farmers’ names and addresses for public consumption, EPA is inviting intrusion into farm families’

privacy on a nationwide scale. EPA is in effect holding up a loudspeaker and broadcasting where private citizens live and where their children play.

I think most of us would expect this type of behavior if we lived in a different time and place or if we were watch-

Protecting farmers’ and ranchers’ right to privacy is a top priority for Farm Bureau. ing a spy movie. We do not expect it, and will not tolerate it, from our own government.

For Your Eyes Only Farm Bureau frequently advocates for increased government transparency, but publicly sharing spreadsheet upon spreadsheet of tens of thousands of peoples’ names, addresses and other personal information is not transparency

in the workings of government. It is an invasion of Americans’ privacy.

We don’t object to the aggregation of data on farm and ranch businesses for government use. However, we know all too well that if personal location information ends up in the wrong hands, it could lead to disruptions in farm activity, farm equipment theft, sabotage or criminal mischief. These risks are especially ominous for those farms that store fertilizer and chemicals or have large numbers of animals.

In the scope of everything happening nationally with the exposure of citizens’ private information, it’s time to say enough is enough and put a stop to activities that belong in a spy thriller.

Farm Bureau is not only standing up for farmers in this case, we are standing up for all citizens, who shouldn’t have their personal information publicly disseminated by their government.

PRIESTLEY Continued from page 2 form legislation that includes an earned adjustment for experienced undocumented agricultural workers and a new, flexible guest worker program.

Helping members of Congress and the public understand that farmers and ranchers depend on the workers who show up every day to tend our crops and raise livestock has been challenging at times. However, we press on because we know responsible immigration reform is imperative for the continued success of American agriculture.

A point that we must continue to drive home is that one of the best ways to improve border security is to create a legal, 6

One of the best ways to improve border security is to create a legal, workable way for farm workers to enter our country. workable way for farm workers to enter our country. With less time and resources wasted locking up lettuce harvesters, the focus can shift to where it properly belongs - keeping those with criminal intentions out of our country.

Although the specific labor needs of farmers across our nation vary, we will

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

all benefit from labor reform. We need a solution that addresses agriculture’s unique labor needs with a market-based, flexible agricultural worker program, which reflects real-life workforce challenges for all crop and livestock producers.

Reforms to our broken immigration system will assure that farmers and ranchers have a legal, stable supply of workers, both in the short- and long-term for all types of agriculture. It is our preference to grow our nation’s food in our nation, and having the labor required to do that is in the best interest of all Americans.

KELLER Continued from page 2 It is important for our elected representatives to hear from your Farm Bureau leaders but even more so is the importance of Farm Bureau members to contact their representatives.

Farm Bureau Members Pay Less For Choice Hotels!

By tradition and by law, Congress recesses for the month of August. In the late 1700’s when our nation was founded, Congress adjourned in late spring before summer’s heat and oppressive humidity became too much to bear. Long sessions were plagued by hot and stormy weather.

The 1920s brought “manufactured weather” to the Senate and House chambers, but even modern climate control could not cope with the hottest days, forcing 20th-century Congress to escape the summer heat. In 1970, finally facing the reality of long sessions, Congress mandated a summer break as part of the Legislative Reorganization Act. Today, the August recess continues to be a regular feature of Congress’ schedule - a chance for senators and representatives to spend time with family and meet with constituents in their home states.

Take time this August to make personal contact with your senators or representative. Their web-pages will provide contact information or look in the white pages of the local telephone directory for closest Congressional district office.

They need to hear your story and concerns. Your voice is important and should be heard. If you don’t speak out, others will speak for you and that isn’t always in your best interest. The Farm Bureau has confidence when its members speak, the Farm Bureau message will be reaffirmed. A recent survey confirmed that Farm Bureau’s policies have an overall 93 percent member approval rating.

It is always appropriate in your visits to express appreciation for a job well done. As examples, on our visit recently we expressed appreciation to Senator Crapo and Congressman Simpson. We thanked Senator Crapo for his efforts to protect agriculture’s interests in the pending Senate tax reform discussion, by emphasizing the need for reduction in the individual tax rates as well as corporate rates. The vast majority of farmers pay at the individual tax rate. We thanked Congressman Simpson for his efforts to author legislation to cut EPA’s budget 20 percent over the last two years, protecting state water rights from Forest Service grab, and delisting the wolves in Idaho from the ESA.

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Don’t let the bankers, agri-business, college professors, politicians or country-western singers speak for you and your farm or business. Let your voice be heard. It will be listened to.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

7

Life on the Range

Sheep are dropped off next to a popular recreation trailhead in the Boise Foothills. The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission uses press releases, Facebook, web sites and educational trailhead signs to give recreationists a head’s up that the sheep are moving through the hiking, running and biking trails.

A Year in the Life of Raising Sheep From lambing to spring turnout, shipping to shearing

Article and photos by Steve Stuebner Sheep ranching is an Idaho tradition that dates back to the 1880s. Scottish emigrants like Andy Little, who was known as the “Idaho sheep king,” brought sheep ranching know-how to Idaho and established the industry in a state with lots of open range.

Basque sheep herders played a major role as well, finding jobs tending to sheep flocks in Idaho as they had done in the Basque region of Spain. The Basques brought cultural traditions to Idaho that are still celebrated today.

At the peak in the 1930s, there were hun8

dreds of sheep ranching outfits in Idaho, running more than 2.7 million sheep statewide. Nowadays, there are fewer than 40 large sheep ranchers and 180,000 sheep overall.

Frank Shirts is one of the last sheep ranchers standing. He runs 12 bands, or about 28,000 ewes and lambs, from the low country in Wilder to the high country in the Boise and Payette National Forests every year.

In the spring, Shirts’ flocks navigate through the Boise Foothills -- a popular recreation zone next to Idaho’s largest city.

And in the high country, Shirts’ Peruvian

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

herders cope with predators like coyotes, black bears, mountain lions and wolves.

In August, after the lambs have hiked more than 120 miles in the rugged mountains, they’re ready to be shipped to the market.

That’s when Shirts gets a deep sense of satisfaction.

“You’ve got a pretty band of sheep, and you just love that, you love working with them, you love to make them good,” Shirts says.

“At shipping time, you see those beautiful fat lambs going on the truck, and it swells you up for another go.”

In this story on sheep ranching in Idaho,

we’re going to follow Shirts’ flocks that graze through the Boise Foothills to the Boise National Forest. We’ll follow “a year in the life of raising sheep” -- from lambing to spring turnout, from the Robie Creek-Idaho 21 crossing to range readiness, from shipping to shearing.

Part One - Lambing Lambing begins at the Shirts ranch in Wilder in January.

This is when the ewes give birth to the lambs in the first three months of the year. It’s a busy time.

“This is our night corral. This is where we bring the ewes before they give birth,” Shirts explains. “As they lamb, or their water breaks, we take them into the shed and take care of them all night long. With the cold weather, it’s vital to get them out of here fast.”

During January, the temperatures can drop to near zero or single digits Fahrenheit. The lambing sheds provide crucial cover for the ewes as they give birth, and the lambs are susceptible to freezing when covered with after-birth fluids. The sheds allow the ewes to care for the lambs right after birth in a warmer environment, cutting death loss to a minimum.

“We bring the lambs into the shed. There’s a guy who checks the bags to see what kind of milk they have and that decides how many lambs we put on ‘em.

A lot of ewes have triplets but we only leave them two lambs,” Shirts says. “Every day, we’ve got a tractor and trailer, and we haul them out in groups.

They’re all number branded, and each band has a different color of paint.

“Every morning, we roll these

lambs out of here and all of the pens are cleaned like they were 100 years ago with a wheel barrow and a pitch fork. When we’re really lambing, we’re taking 250-300 ewes out of here a day.”

Once outside, the lambs and ewes are put in pens with clean and fresh straw next to the lambing shed. Here, the lambs acclimate to their new life.

“These lambs came out of the shed this morning. They were probably born the day before yesterday. You can see the numbers ... there are all twins here ... No. 263 on the lamb, and No. 263 on the mother, and all down the line, they’ve been numbered until we get a full band.”

Shirts says it’s best to the let the lambs feed with their mothers in a small-group setting with plenty of space for the best survival.

moving a lot of sheep.”

Part Two - Spring Turnout

Shirts employs 25 Peruvian sheep herders year-round to take care of his sheep. The men who work during the lambing process are the same guys who herd the sheep through the mountains in the summer. Most of the herders come from Peru, and a few are from Mexico, including his foreman, Angel.

Shirts covers their health insurance, room and board and salary.

In early April, it’s time for spring turnout. The sheep begin grazing on public land pastures as they green-up and produce forage for livestock and other critters.

Lambing takes about 3-4 months to complete. Once they’re done, the crews clean up the corrals and get their gear ready for sprint turnout.

“We clean up all the pens, take the tarps off the sheds, get the pack strings ready, the horses and the mules, by then, it’ll be time to go,” he says.

“We go out here on the desert north of Parma on the Black Canyon allotment and then they’ll work across to the Boise Front,” he says. “They’ve all got a designated route, and the herders know where they’re going.”

Each band of sheep is cared for by two herders. The herders carry a wall tent and camp supplies on pack mules and horses, moving the camp every day or so as the sheep move through the country.

“I run pack strings in the mounSee LIFE ON THE RANGE, page 10

“The slower you can go with the twins, the better,” he says.

After several days, the crew moves the ewes and lambs into a larger pen with twice as many animals. Three days later, they’ll move into a pen with triple the number of ewes and their lambs. This procedure gets the animals used to being part of larger groups. Eventually, they form a full band of sheep, or about 2,400 ewes and lambs.

“That’s why it’s so much work,” Shirts explains. “We’ve got pens here for 3,000 ewes.

Once you reach the end of that line, you’ve got the sheep in the front that have to be moved, and then every day, you have to make room for the next group of lambs coming out. You’re got to move, move, move, you’re Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

9

LIFE ON THE RANGE Continued from page 9 tains,” Shirts says. “About 80 or 90 percent of the sheep outfits run one guy per camp, but I run two because I’m in this rough, wolf-inhabited country.”

Each band also is accompanied by two Great Pyrenees guard dogs to help keep predators at bay.

This is a best management practice that’s used by many sheep ranchers in the West.

Shirts’ sheep arrive in the Boise Foothills in mid-April, just as the foothills are greening up.

Shirts trucks the sheep to a variety of dropoff points to keep the bands spread out, including popular trailheads such as the Corrals Trailhead and Hulls Gulch.

These trailheads have lots of recreation traffic, so the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission puts the word out in the local news media, recreation web sites and Facebook to give hikers, bikers, runners and dog-walkers a head’s up when the sheep are entering the foothills, and how to co-exist and interact with the sheep and the guard dogs.

Two key things to remember are: Keeping dogs on a leash Getting off your bike and walking through sheep herds to avoid antagonizing the big guard dogs.

“Unfortunately, when recreationists have their pet with them, the guard dogs consider that a predator. We don’t want to see any negative thing happen to somebody’s pet,” says 10

Gretchen Hyde, executive director of the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission.

Jim Guiffre, a Boise resident and mountain biker, saw a news report about the importance of getting off the bike when encountering sheep. He was on a bike ride in the Corrals Trail area when he and his son, Jess, ran into a band of sheep.

“We dropped down the draw and sure enough, there were hundreds of sheep out there,” Guiffre says. “And I say I’m getting off my bike. And then two giant Great Pyrenees guard dogs come running down at us and come within 10 feet of us ... and then they stopped, looked at us, and went away. And Jess and I looked at each other and went, “It worked!”

Frank Shirts says most people in Boise like seeing the sheep.

“Ninety-five percent of them love to see the sheep,” Shirts says. “They say, “Gall, this is so neat! This is like old times.”

You’ve got to run them right, and everyone has to respect each other. There’s no doubt about that.”

Shirts and his herders move three bands of sheep through the Boise Foothills. Some bands graze over the top of the Boise Ridge to Robie Creek Park, next to Lucky Peak, and others stay low and graze across the Boise River Wildlife Management Area, managed by Idaho Fish and Game.

Fish and Game officials say they like the sheep to graze on white top, a noxious weed.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

“The sheep have been at least as good as spraying with a lot less impact,” says Ed Bottum, manager of the IDFG Boise River Wildlife Management Area.

“They’ll eat skeleton weed early in the season - they really like it - and the same with cheatgrass,” Shirts says.

Sheep grazing helps reduce fire danger in the foothills, too. “I think it’s vitally important. It takes a lot of the fuel load off of here, it has to,” he says.

spots.”

Indeed, Mario, one of the herders, grabs the ewe by the collar and helps her up a steep, rocky slope, and her lambs, and the rest of the herd follows.

Once on top, Frank Shirts and his foreman, Angel, stop traffic on Idaho 21 as the sheep cross the highway. Motorists take photos and wave to the herders as the sheep move through.

Part Three - Robie Creek Park-Idaho 21 Crossing

From this point forward, the sheep will be grazing on state and Forest Service land as they follow the green up into the mountains.

When the sheep reach Robie Creek Park, the herders funnel the animals to a crossing where Shirts can count them, checking on the numbers three weeks after they’ve been released in the mountains. He does that to check on predator losses.

Shirts says the range is in pretty good shape this year. “I’m not griping,” he says. “You’ve got to keep them moving. It’s getting a little dry down low.

It’s not as bad as it is in eastern Idaho. They missed some of the rain that we got.”

“We had a lot of coyote problems on the Boise Front,” Shirts says. “I think the wolves are pushing the coyotes in there because we didn’t used to have that trouble in there.”

Shirts has permits to graze his sheep on state, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land. He pays grazing fees to those agencies for the privilege of using the land.

After the count, the sheep move down the paved road to a steep, rocky embankment, where the herders work with the lead ewe to climb through a rough spot to Idaho State Highway 21. “When you get into a tight spot and they don’t want to go, we have a ewe that’s broke to lead,” Shirts explains. “Gotta have one in every band. She’s got a bell on her, and then she’s got a lamb that’ll follow her and then the ewes will follow the lead through those tough

Part Four - Range Readiness Forest Service officials pay attention to range readiness before the sheep move onto national forest land. Prior to when Shirts is allowed to move his animals onto Forest Service land, Forest Service range officials check on range condition and look at specific plants in particular.

Monte Miller, a range technician for the Boise National Forest, explains. “There are cer-

Herders prepare to load lambs onto trucks after the summer grazing season ends.

tain key species we look at,” he says, “Arrowleaf Balsomroot, Philla bilbosa and Agripyron, a wheat grass species. We also look at cheatgrass, and skeleton weed, an invader, a noxious weed. Ten days ago, it wasn’t quite ready. But it’s more than ready right now.”

Indeed, as Shirts unloaded sheep to some Boise National Forest land next to Arrowrock Reservoir, the sheep began feeding on the Rush skeleton weed, bitterbrush and more.

“We have several objectives in mind,” Miller says. “We want to graze the rosettes of Rush skeleton weed. They like to eat it this time of year. We also have biological controls -- a rust, a midge and a mite. We want the sheep to weaken that plant so the bio-controls can be more effective.”

The Forest Service keeps watch over the sheep grazing to ensure that the utilization does not exceed 50 percent. Most of the time, it’s less than 30 percent. “We want to look at prop-

er management,” Miller says.

“Frank is in the business of putting pounds on the lambs, and to do that, they have to keep them on fresh feed all the time.

But very rarely will they graze over 30 percent use.”

“Livestock grazing stimulates the growth of grass as long as there’s proper management,” Miller continues. “Same as the utilization of bitterbrush. We want to graze it enough so that it stimulates leader growth.”

Allowing the sheep to graze on

bitterbrush makes the browse species more palatable for mule deer in the winter, he says.

“Frank Shirts is a very good permittee, very proactive,” Miller says.

Shirts trains his herders to graze the country once over lightly as the pass through, but still, he wants them to be thorough. “Sheep aren’t what you call a grass-eater,” Shirts explains. “If they’ve got the brush and the forbs, that’s what they See LIFE ON THE RANGE, page 14

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

11

Focus on Agriculture Assessing the Future of Agriculture

By Stewart Truelsen “The farmer, if not absolutely rich, is at least independent,” according to one assessment of the state of American agriculture.

Here’s another: “Soon, stockbrokers will be driving taxis—or the smart ones will be driving tractors in order to work for farmers—while farmers will be driving Lamborghinis.”

The biggest difference between the two appraisals of farming is that they were made 150 years apart!

There were no Lamborghinis or any other automobiles when Isaac Newton (not Sir Isaac Newton) offered his opinion. Newton was the first commissioner of agriculture, holding the post that later became secretary of agriculture.

The recent bullish opinion of farming is from “Street Smarts,” a book by Jim Rogers, who is well-known in investment and commodity circles. Rogers also noted that Lamborghini started as a tractor company in 1948.

In the brash style typical of Wall Street 12

prognosticators, Rogers tells young people that business degrees are a waste of time and money. “The smart move for all those MBA graduates would have been to earn agriculture and mining degrees,” he said, and added derisively that more people study public relations than agriculture.

Newton also addressed some of his remarks to young people in 1863. He tried to convince young men not to be enticed by the more rapid economic gains made by the merchant, trader or professional man.

He told farmers to put aside the “drudgery and tameness” that many of them associated with being a farmer and look on the bright side.

In the 150 years between Newton and Rogers, the drudgery of farming was largely eliminated by mechanization and technology. Some farmers got rich, but more scraped by or went broke. Farming was tame in 1863 only by comparison to more adventuresome occupations like gold mining or whaling. Risky is a better choice of words to describe farming both then and now.

No one would want to go back to farming the way it was done in Newton’s time,

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

but there is something to be envied about that era. According to him, farmers held five-sixths of the nation’s wealth and all of its political power. Incidentally, it took another 50 years to harness that political power with the organizing of county and state Farm Bureaus and later the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Today, farmers and ranchers are certainly less confident about their future than Rogers. The Ag Confidence Index, which surveys farmers and agribusiness about nearterm and future sentiments, is optimistic near term but turns negative for future expectations. It is little wonder because farm income is expected to drop significantly in 2014.

Recent good times in agriculture have left the public rather complacent about the nation’s most important industry, but farmers and ranchers know better. There have been too many boom and bust cycles since Newton’s official report on their livelihood.

Stewart Truelsen is the author of “Forward Farm Bureau,” a book marking the 90th anniversary of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The DAYs ARe long buT The office hAs A PReTTY sWeeT vieW.

They work the land sun up ‘til sun down – every day rain or shine. Chances are, you don’t think twice about the many ways America’s farmers and ranchers enhance our everyday lives. We rely on them for everything from comfortable clothing to quality meats and fresh produce. That’s why we continue to thank the farm families who work and care for this great land.

www.fbfs.com/SayThanksToAFarmer /SayThanksToAFarmer

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7/11/13 1:06 PM

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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LIFE ON THE RANGE Continued from page 11 want to eat. And just like a kid in a candy store, they pick off a flower here, and a little brush there, tasting everything.”

“They’ve all got a designated route, and the herder knows where they are going,” he says.

“Every day they work those little canyons. They’ll go down the draw in the morning, buck up and take their siesta, and graze along eating the brush and the forbs.

“They work all of that underbrush and it helps the forest an awful lot. It takes a lot of that fire out of there. Herders want to give them fresh feed. They go down one time, and come up and that area never gets grazed again until the next year. How can you overgraze it?”

At night, the sheep naturally climb to the top of the hill for the evening. The animals like to climb. It’s just part of their nature. “Then they come up and sleep on top of the ridge.”

Every two weeks or so, Shirts and his foreman resupply the herders in the forest with fresh groceries and supplies. This is a time to catch up on how the sheep are doing, talk about predators and life in general.

Part Five - Shipping In early August, it’s time to herd the ewes and lambs into a corral and ship the lambs to market. Shirts has a sheep corral in Meadow Creek, east of Idaho City on the Boise National Forest, where they gather the sheep. A lot of friends camp out with Shirts to help.

When the sheep arrive at the corrals, the herders drive the 14

sheep into the large pen while Shirts counts them. Shirts yells out “one-hundred,” and his herder, Mario, makes a notch on a stick for every 100 sheep that moves into the corral.

“It’s shipping time,” Shirts says. “We’ve been taking care of them since they were lambs.

Started in Wilder, and they come up here over the high mountains, and it’s time to send them to the market.

“They look good. They’re a beautiful mountain lamb. I’m pleased with them.”

Shirts says he lost about 80 head of sheep to coyotes, wolves and black bears this year. He also lost a few sheep to falling timber in old burn areas. “These mountains, you’ve got lots of things to deal with.

Every year, we’ll get a bunch of sheep killed by those trees.”

can see there’s a lot of kids out here this morning.”

Boyd says Shirts is a large sheep operator for Idaho.

“Frank Shirts is one of the largest operators in the western United States,” he says. “We have 45 sheep producers in Idaho that use public lands during the year, and 60-70 percent of the lambs come right off the range, living on nothing more than mother’s milk and green grass. There are no antibiotics or food additives. It’s a natural lamb.”

Early the next morning, the crew gets the loading chutes in place next to the sheep corral for loading the sheep onto special truck-trailers made especially for hauling sheep to market.

“We load them correctly so there’s no death loss,” Boyd explains. “We’re putting 35 in the basket, 52 on the top, and 54 in the middle two decks so they have room to move around. Federal law says they have to be unloaded within 36 hours for food and water, but what time is it now, they’ll be in Denver by 1 o’clock tomorrow morning. They don’t mess around. Their mission is to get these sheep off the trucks in good shape. They’ll sleep on the way home.”

Each trucker will haul about 195 lambs to a feedlot in Denver, where they are sold by national meat-packing companies to wholesale outlets. The truckers make about $3,800 per load to Denver. Then they deadhead

Shirts sees those losses as a cost of doing business, running sheep on public lands. At shipping time, the mood is upbeat.

It’s time to celebrate. “We’ll have a nice lamb dinner tonight and a few beers.”

Stan Boyd, executive director of the Idaho Wool Growers Association, attends the shipping event, as he does for many sheep producers in Idaho. Boyd arranges for several truck drivers and sheep trailers to transport the sheep to market.

“For these folks, they work all year, and now it’s pay day,” Boyd says. “They hope it’s a good one. It is a celebration. It’s a perfect excuse to get into the mountains and enjoy the camaraderie and the families. You

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back to Idaho, and do it again.

“It’s their pay day too,” Boyd says.

While the lambs are being loaded into trucks, the ewes are placed in a separate corral with rams for breeding. “We put a couple of bucks in there tonight, and put some of those rams in, and some of these mamas will have lambs in their bellies tomorrow night, so we start it all over again,” Shirts says.

Part Six - Coming Home After the lambs are shipped, the herders trail the ewes and rams back through the forest and foothills toward the Shirts home ranch in August, September and October.

In October, the sheep pass through the Boise Foothills and cross Idaho 55 near Beacon Light Road in Eagle, stopping traffic momentarily.

Shirts makes arrangements with farmers in the Treasure Valley so his sheep can graze their way home, eating stubble in hay fields along the way.

“We gotta use that feed,” he says. “With the price of hay and corn, you have to utilize every bit you can.

“The sheep come in and eat the hay, and it really helps the ground. We electric fence it, and they move across the field and fertilize the fields. You can’t believe how it helps with the rodents and the mice.”

The herders time the trip -- and stretch it out accordingly -- so the sheep don’t arrive at the home ranch until January, when lambing begins.

Part Seven - Shearing In November, as the sheep are grazing the fields, Shirts brings

the sheep to a ranch along the way to shear the wool from the ewes and rams.

He hires several shearing crews to do the job. Each shearing crew has a customized shearing trailer with all of the tools and equipment needed for shearing sheep. One crew is led by John Balderson of Council. The other is led by Bernie Fairchild of Buhl. His shearers are from Uruguay.

Shirts’ herders funnel the sheep into a chute leading to the shearing trailers, and work the animals through one by one. There are 3-4 men that shear the sheep in each trailer.

Balderson has been shearing sheep for over 30 years. He explains how it’s done.

“You start on the brisket and take the belly wool off,” he says.

“You throw it aside, the wool on the belly is kind of short, and they like to keep that bagged separate. And then you’ll go down and crotch them all out, and start on this leg, and take the leg off, and then come up to the neck, and take this front shoulder off, and then turn that sheep around, and take this whole side off. When you get done, that sheep can just jump out the door behind you, and the fleece you can throw it out as a blanket. And it will all stay together.”

It’s critical that the shearer cuts the wool off close to the skin, and it needs to be cut off as a full cape, Balderson says. “Part of it is to keep the wool in one piece, and part of it is to keep the sheep tight, so you don’t take the hide off,” he says.

“Your hide-cutter will take the hide right off if it’s in the wrong position.”

A number of workers watch for the wool capes in front of the shearing trailers, and stuff them into a motorized compactor nearby. The machines compact the wool until they are full.

Then, a worker closes the top of the bale and loads it into a truck. Each bale of wool weighs about 400-500 pounds.

Back in the day, the shearing crew compacted the wool by foot. One of the workers would stand and stomp on the load and then climb out when it was full.

Balderson has been shearing sheep year-round in Idaho and elsewhere since he was in high school. “I shear for everybody from two head to 5,000.”

Balderson’s pay depends on how fast he can shear the sheep.

He gets paid about $4 per sheep.

“When I was younger, I’d try to do 20 an hour,” he says. “On a good day, 25 an hour, or 150200 a day. When I was 58, I was still going pretty strong, but I’m 65 now, and I don’t care anymore,” laughing at the thought.

“If I do 90 or 100 a day, I feel good.”

Shirts likes to shear the sheep in the fall before lambing season in the winter. “It makes them milk better. The lambs can find the udder a lot better,” he says.

Balderson says it’s hard to find anyone in America who knows how to shear sheep anymore.

“Extremely hard. That’s why we have a trailer-full of guys working here from Uruguay.

We used to have guys come here from New Zealand, but the dollar is so weak, that they don’t come here anymore. Most of the guys who come here are from countries that are quite poor.”

That has something to do with the relative low price of wool.

Shirts keeps the bales of wool in storage until the wool prices are best. Sometimes, he’s held onto the wool for several years, until the price is right. He sells the wool through a global distributor.

“It’s medium to fine grade Rambouillet wool. They’ll make good shirts, blankets, that kind of stuff,” Balderson says.

Finale Frank Shirts has been in the sheep business for most of his life. His dad was a sheep shearer, and they had some sheep at home, too, about 400 head.

About 30 years ago, he bought several bands, and worked to obtain grazing permits from the BLM and Forest Service.

Over time, he built up the herds.

About 10 years ago, he purchased several bands from Lt. Gov. Brad Little, who decided to sell out and concentrate on the cattle business.

Shirts has seen the lamb and wool markets go up and down, and he’s dealt with a lot of other issues over the years. But he loves to raise sheep. It runs in his blood. And he makes darn sure the sheep are properly cared for, from the time they are born to the day they’re shipped to market.

“I’ve fought the markets all of my life,” he says. “When you get a pretty band of sheep, you think, gosh damn, you love that, you love working with them, you love making them good.

It’s something you’re proud of, but they’ve got to be taken care of. Someone is with them 24 hours a day. And they’re taken care of.”

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

17

Are You Ready for a Blizzard of “Red Snow”?

By Yvonne Barkley We’ve seen it on the news, extreme fire behavior in areas where wildlands meet rural developments, an area called the wildland-urban interface (WUI). At first look all you see are buildings burnt to the ground - but look again. Those piles of ash that were once a family home are surrounded by live trees and shrubs. These homes, which were vulnerable to ignition by showers of embers or firebrands, were lost to a blizzard of “red snow.”

The story usually goes like this. A wildland fire starts under extreme fire conditions – it’s hot and humidity is low.

Vegetation is bone dry. More often than not a dry lightning moves through and ignites several spot fires over a large area, or a human starts the blaze.

High winds quickly spread flames and firebrands into adjacent fuels and up slopes and canyons. This combination of events produces erratic, fastspreading, dangerous fire behavior.

There is a home at the top of a slope and it is highly ignitable. The wildfire rushes up the slope and showers the home in 18

a blizzard of “red snow.” Multiple areas ignite. The burning home now becomes fuel, with firebrands lofting off of it, landing on nearby roofs and in yards, igniting vegetation and creating spot fires. Multiple homes simultaneously ignite, adding to the chaos of flames, firebrands, smoke, and wind.

With homeowners evacuated, firefighter safety threatened, and resources overwhelmed, initially small, easy-to-extinguish ignitions result in mass destruction.

And none of it had to happen.

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Whether at work or evacuated, homeowners are often not home when a wildfire threatens. In extreme fire conditions, firefighters will not be able to defend every threatened home and so the survivability of your house depends on you. The home ignition zone (also called defensible space) is the 100foot radius (200 feet on a steep slope) that surrounds structures and often intersects with neighboring properties. Here is where homeowners and their neighbors need to concentrate fire safety efforts.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

Several case studies have shown that more than 90% of WUI home ignitions were from airborne firebrands landing on combustible materials.

Photo courtesy of Steve Quarles, Insurance Institute of Business and Home Safety.

In several case studies it was found that more than 90 percent of home ignitions were from firebrands entering an area well ahead of the flaming front of the wildfire and that home ignitions hinged on the exterior materials and design of the buildings and their proximity to burning objects ignited by firebrands. When firebrands shower down upon your property they land in the many nooks and crannies that every home has (often the same

places where actual snow accumulates) and ignite the combustible surfaces they accumulate on or next to.

Today’s article will focus on the structures themselves and the critical first five feet of the HIZ. A house that does not ignite, will not burn. There are large and small details to consider when decreasing your home’s ignition potential.

Your roof. Highly combustible

“Red snow” igniting multiple spot fire, well removed from the flaming front of the wildfire.

Photo courtesy of Mike Dannenberg, Bureau of Land Management.

roofs (wood shakes and shingles) should be replaced with a Class-A fire-rated roof as soon as financially possible. Debris that accumulates in gutters, next to and on top of skylights, at roof-to-wall areas, and where siding intersects with the roof should be removed regularly.

Install metal flashing a minimum of six inches up from the roof against combustible siding.

The upper edge of the flashing should be tucked behind the siding at a lap joint to prevent moisture damage.

Roofs with openings between the roof covering and the roof deck (e.g., clay barrel-styles, some metal types, and flat cement tile roofs) should be filled (“bird-stopped”) with commer-

cially available products or with a plug of mortar mix or steel wool to prevent embers from entering the sub-roof area. All chimneys should have spark arrestors and operable skylights should be closed when you leave the house.

Vents. Your home has many vents and all should have screens or be able to be closed in the event of a wildfire. Install 1/8” metal mesh screening on all vents and make sure they are kept clean and well-maintained.

Replace open dryer vents with louvered or metal-plate styles that open only when the dryer is on. Make covers for foundation and attic vents to use in the event of a wildfire and remove them once the threat has

passed.

The foundation. Open styles, such as post-and beam foundations, are vulnerable to accumulating debris and should be enclosed with noncombustible materials and ventilated according to local building codes.

Combustible materials stored next to or near foundations should be moved at least 30 feet from structures.

Siding. Homes with combustible siding should make sure there is at least six inches between the ground and the first row of siding. The first five feet of defensible space against the building should be kept free from combustible vegetation and mulch.

Eaves. Open eaves should be enclosed with a boxed-in or soffited-eave design.

Windows. In the event of a wildfire, CLOSE ALL WINDOWS. Single-pane windows should be replaced with duelor multi-paned windows, preferably with tempered glass.

Windows should be fitted with metal screens to reduce radiant heat exposure to the glass and protect against ember entry if left open.

Garage. Attached garages are part of the house. Install doors on open storage areas and weather seal the perimeter of garage doors to ensure embers cannot enter the space.

See FORESTRY p. 20

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

19

FORESTRY

Continued from page 19

If it’s connected to the house, it’s part of the house.

Decks that overhang steep slopes need double the defensible space to compensate for the slope. Decks made of highly combustible materials (wood, plastic, and wood-plastic composites) should be replaced with materials such as good condition, fire-rated or fire-resistant treated materials. Regularly clean debris out of the cracks between deck boards and other areas where debris gathers. Enclose open areas under decks with noncombustible siding and ventilate according to local building codes. Combustible materials stored under the deck (firewood, lumber) should be moved and stored at least 30’ from the house and surrounded with defensible space.

Fences. Many types of fences are combustible. Replace combustible pieces of fence with noncombustible fencing where it attaches to the home. Keep fence clear of vegetation.

The devil is in the details.

The big details are fairly obvious once you start looking at your home with fire safety in mind. But you can blow it all by overlooking one little detail where embers can accumulate, such as a seat cushion. The little details usually involve the day-to-day things we have outside for summer living – patio furniture for example – and are the things we need to put away when we are not at home or before being evacuated.

Outdoor furniture, as well as cushions and pillows, can quickly accumulate embers and ignite. Designate an indoor area 20

where combustible outdoor furniture and cushions can be stored. Take down hammocks and store indoors as well.

Porch and deck accessories include wicker baskets, door mats, newspapers, pine cones, dried flower arrangements, books and magazines, games, etc. It is also where miscellaneous tools such as brooms, hoses, and garden gloves accumulate - all vulnerable places for embers to gather. Consider putting flammable accessories and tools indoors when not at home.

Flowerbeds and wall-mounted flowerboxes also make a good place for embers to accumulate. Keep plant materials well irrigated and remove all dead foliage. Replace known hazardous plant materials (junipers) with less hazardous selections (succulents and well-irrigated herbaceous plants). Remove wooden boxes that are located beneath windows or replace them with ones constructed from ignition-resistant materials. Mulch flower beds zero to five feet from structures with noncombustible materials such as gravel and keep them clean.

kitchen areas and unplug all appliances when not in use. Store propane tanks in an enclosed area and close all doors to storage areas. Make sure garbage cans and recycling bins are covered with tight fitting lids.

Move uncovered recycling like newspapers and magazines indoors.

Today, one in three homes in our country is located in the wildland/urban interface. And the question of a wildland fire happening in many of these areas is not if, but when. Extreme fire conditions can make wildland fires uncontrollable, but decreasing the ignition potential of structures and landscapes is very much within our control and go a long way towards protecting our homes from blizzards of “red snow.”

Special thanks to Ed Smith, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and Steve

Quarles, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety for their providing information and reviewing this article.

Landowners Resources.

“Wildfire Home Assessment and Checklist: What to know and what to do to prepare” The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) - http://www.disastersafety.org/wp-content/ uploads/wildfire-checklist_ IBHS.pdf “Be Ember Aware!” Smith. E. 2009. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Reno, NV. www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/nr/2009/fs0905. pdf Yvonne Barkley is an associate extension forester for the University of Idaho. She can be reached at yvonnec@uidaho.

edu

Recreational vehicles such as boats, canoes, and kayaks are often points of ignition because they are open. Cover open vehicles with a fire-resistant cover and move at least 30’ away from structures. When fire danger becomes extreme, remove smaller boats (canoes, kayaks) from under-eave storage and place upside-down away from structures as well.

BBQ’s/Outdoor kitchens. Turn off the gas supply to outdoor

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

The Home Ignition Zone – the home and the first 5 feet are very important in preventing home ignitions.

Graphic courtesy of IBHS.

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 29

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

23

A Taste of Idaho: How to Spice up Your Picnic

A Pesto Chicken Sandwich is a great choice for a picnic.

Article and photos by Julie Christoffersen

dishes for a wonderful meal.

The local church was once the main “gathering place” for our rural communities. After church on Sunday, it was not uncommon to have a picnic. This was a time when folks caught up on what their neighbors were doing and for men and women to “talk shop” so to speak.

The key to a picnic is to keep things simple for everyone. Sandwiches are great for this and take little time to prepare. With a variety of choices in the basket, everyone will be happy.

Members lingered with each other over tables of food as the laughter and screams of children were heard as they played. It was a day of much needed relaxation as families kicked back and enjoyed their lazy Sunday afternoon.

Now we have picnics or gatherings any night of the week to relax and enjoy family and friends. Eating outside is always an adventure to kids and a pleasant change for most. We do not have to pack a basket and go to the park to enjoy a delightful picnic. In fact, staying home to enjoy your backyard requires a lot less effort than taking a picnic to the park. The choices for your menu are endless and can be so effortless. There is no need to make extravagant 24

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

For this column, I have picked two sandwiches that take little preparation beforehand to make. Both are hearty sandwiches to satisfy those big appetites.

The roast beef and blue sandwich has great flavor and can be assembled in little time. The key is to take the lettuce and tomato with you to prevent wilting and soggy bread. Lamb or pork can also be used instead of roast beef. The bread choice is totally personal; use what your family prefers. Take blue cheese and spread on one side and horseradish on the other side. Use thin slices of red onion, roasted sweet red peppers and meat. Place the sandwiches in a sealable sandwich bag and it’s ready for the picnic basket.

Place the lettuce and tomato on each sandwich before serving.

Melon served with fresh lime and chili powder provides any picnic with a unique kick

Another delicious option is the pesto chicken sandwich. This is one of my favorites and is packed with wonderful flavor. A really good bread choice for this sandwich is a rosemary focaccia. There is more preparation in making this sandwich than the Beef and Blue. Grill or cook your chicken breast earlier in the day. You want the chicken to be cool and with a large chicken breast you will want to cut them in half before cooking. Mix enough mayonnaise for each sandwich and the pesto together. It will be about ¼ cup of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of pesto for two sandwiches. Slice the focaccia length wise (toast lightly if you prefer) and spread the mayonnaise on both sides. Layer the chicken breast with a slice of red onion, sun-dried tomato (you can use fresh tomatoes), mozzarella, and fresh basil. If you do not have time to cook chicken breast, you can use chicken from the deli. Classico makes a “Traditional Basil Pesto” spread that you can use too if your time is limited.

For a cool refreshing side, use a spoon or melon baller to make bite size pieces of watermelon, honeydew or cantaloupe. Mix them together and sprinkle with lemon juice and salt. For a variety, you can use chili, salt, sugar and lime to taste. In a small bowl combine 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of chili powder and 2 teaspoons of sugar for approximately six slices of melon. Sprinkle on melon and

squeeze a half of lime on top. This adds a tasty interesting flavor.

Fresh lemonade is always a hit for a picnic beverage. The key to great tasting lemonade is to make sugar syrup and then add the lemon juice. Take ¾ to 1 cup of sugar (depends on how sweet you like it), and 1 cup of water and heat this mixture to dissolve the sugar. Add 1 cup of lemon juice (preferably fresh) to the sugar water. To this mixture add 5 cups of water and refrigerate about an hour before you serve. This will make about 6 servings.

For those who enjoy a glass of wine, a smooth medium bodied red wine pairs nicely with the chicken pesto and a good Malbec will pair well with the beef and blue (because of the horseradish).

However, any wine you like to drink with a good steak will pair with this sandwich.

Of course with eating outside we have a few challenges to face.

Those pesky bugs and mosquitos are going to invite themselves to your picnic. Be sure to pick up a citronella candle and a can of bug spray to ward off unwanted bugs.

And remember, the main ingredient for a great picnic is to relax and enjoy the company you are with.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

Wally Butler retires Boise – Wally Butler, Idaho Farm Bureau’s range and livestock specialist for the past 15 years, retired on July 1.

“Wally is well known around the state and has been a valuable asset to this organization and to many farmers and ranchers across the state for many years,” said Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley. “He always had a smile and friendly hello for everyone who crossed his path. He will be missed.”

Butler is a University of Idaho graduate and holds Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and a Master’s degree in range management.

During his career he ranched for more than 15 years in the Kendrick area before working his way back into the range consulting business. He also sold insurance for Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance of Idaho before landing a job as a field representative with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.

For the last eight years, Butler worked as a lobbyist in the Farm Bureau’s Boise office. Although he has officially retired Butler plans to continue as a private range consultant and will maintain an office in the Farm Bureau building at 500 West Washington in Boise.

“I may be gone but I’m still involved in the range business, and welcome calls from friends and members. I have no problems answering rangeland questions,” said Butler.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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Farm Facts

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Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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BearCanyon, Lake, 16.17.

Canyon, Teton, 18. Jefferson.

Down: 1. Boise, 3. Elmore, 5. Franklin, 6. Cassia, 7. Clearwater, 8. Benewah, 9.

Down: 1. Boise, 3. Elmore, 5. Franklin, 6. Cassia, 7. Clearwater, 8. Benewah, 12. Gooding, 14. Jerome, 15. Butte.

9. Lewis, 10. Nez Perce, 12. Gooding, 14. Jerome, 15. Butte.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

29

Trailing SheepFestival Festival Trailingof of the the Sheep

Trailing ofwww.trailingofthesheep.org the Sheep Festival www.trailingofthesheep.org

www.trailingofthesheep.org Celebrate a Cultural Slice ofthe theAmerican American West Celebrate a Cultural Slice of West th

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Sheep Festival2013 celebrates the 150 year tradition of moving sheep from mountain summer pastures Highlights include: 2013 Highlights include: south through River Valley to winter grazing andScottish lambing areas.

The annual migration � Wood Authentic Sheep Folklife Fair featuring Basque, Polish andand Peruvian dancers and and is �• the Authentic Sheep Folklife Fair featuring Basque, Scottish Polish Peruvian dancers music, sheep shearing, sheep wagon displays, sessions, sheep and wool Idaho’s premiermusic, cultural festival honoring the people, artsstorytelling and culture of the West.

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Lamb Feast and an authentic Lamb barbecue.

2013 Highlights �include: SheepTales Gathering featuringMark MarkKurlansky, Kurlansky, New Times bestselling authorauthor of 24 of 24 �• SheepTales Gathering featuring NewYork York Times bestselling � Authentic Sheep Fair featuring Basque, Scottish Polish and Peruvian dancers and books Folklife including The Basque History of the World, Salt, Cod and Birdseye. books including The Basque History of the World, Salt, Cod and Birdseye. � Fiber Festival with classes, workshops, fleece competition, exhibits and special lectures. music, sheepFestival shearing, sheep wagon displays, storytelling sessions, sheep and wool �• Fiber with classes, workshops, fleece competition, exhibits and special lectures. � Championship Sheepdog Trials with 50 of the most talented border collies in the U.S. exhibits, and shops classes, children’s activities and lamb created by local �• Championship Sheepdog Trials with 50 of the most talented border collieschefs. in the U.S. � Sheepherder’s Ball with the sizzling Hot Club of Cowtown, named the best music group of �• Sheepherder’s Ball with the Club of Cowtown, best music group of � Culinary events Cooking withsizzling Idaho Hot Lamb classes, For thenamed Love the of Lamb Foodie Fest, 2012 like

by True West magazine.

2012 by True West magazine.

Lamb Feast and an authentic Lamb barbecue. � Trailing of the Sheep Parade starring 2,000 sheep trailing down Main Street Ketchum. It’s �• Trailing of of thewool!

Sheep Parade starring 2,000 dancers sheep trailing downand Street a wall Plus sheep wagons, ethnic musicians Father KenKetchum. blessing � SheepTales Gathering featuring Mark Kurlansky, NewandYork TimesMain bestselling author ofIt’s 24 a wallthe ofsheep. wool! Plus sheep wagons, ethnic dancers and musicians and Father Ken blessing books including The Basque History of the World, Salt, Cod and Birdseye. the sheep. � Fiber Festival with classes, fleece competition, exhibits and special lectures.

For workshops, information contact mary@trailingofthesheep.org For information contact mary@trailingofthesheep.org � Championship Sheepdog Trials withwww.trailingofthesheep.org 50 of the most talented border collies in the U.S. www.trailingofthesheep.org

� Sheepherder’s Ball with/ SUMMER the sizzling Hot Club of Cowtown, named the best music group of 30 Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly 2013 2012 by True West magazine.

Wildfire Mitigation Gaining Ground Across the West

By Jake Putnam Towering flames more than four stories high crushed a Pocatello subdivision last June 28th.

The Charlotte fire served as a wake-up call to homeowners across the state.

“I’ve traveled all through Idaho and the Northwest,” recalled homeowner Randy Toone, “And, I’ve never seen anything come as quick as this disaster did with this fire.”

What shocked residents most was the speed and the sheer explosive nature of the fire.

The blaze destroyed more than

65 homes, charred over 1,000 acres in a short period of time.

“I’ve never seen anything like this in the state,” Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen told reporters after the fire.

“Sixty-six homes totally destroyed and others partially damaged. That’s the highest property value loss I’ve experienced in my career.”

Juniper trees, sage brush and cheat grass had grown untouched for decades. There were few natural firebreaks and that added to the intensity of the blaze.

The fire sent notice to every

homeowner on the wildland and urban interface in the state that their homes are vulnerable to wildfire and many are taking action this summer.

Homeowners in Northwest Boise met with fire officials and BLM and then started cutting down hazardous trees and brush this spring.

“We saw what happened in Pocatello, it was discussed it our Firewise meetings with the Boise Fire Department and we realized we had work to do,” said Keith Jacobs, of Briar Hill Homeowners Association.

The Association took a close look at cheat grass and skeletal rushweed that flourishes on the steep hillsides in the Northwest Boise foothills.

“In years past we hired crews to cut down weeds. This year we hired out a goat herd,” said Debra Boston, of the Briar Hill Firewise Committee. “The goats destroy seeds and we’ll have a better handle on weeds next year.”

Sixty goats and a guard dog spent three weeks roaming the hillsides of the Briar Hill subdivsion. Passing motorists on Hill Road often stopped and snapped photos of the goats that efficiently mowed everything down in their path.

Goats are becoming popular for wildfire mitigation efforts because they graze weeds down to a level where they won’t reseed.

Rancher Tim Linquist of Wilder owns a flourishing business called ‘We Rent Goats.’ The company is doing a booming business in the Treasure Valley because they not only reduce fire hazard but also address the scourge of skeletal rushweed.

and takes over and chokes out the native plants. What we do is bring in the goats and they eat the way goats eat, they break it down and then the seeds don’t reproduce,” said Linquist.

The City of Boise also uses goats for weed and wildfire mitigation.

“It’s an effective tool against wildfire and weeds because once the weeds are eaten down to a specific height where they can’t propagate seeds,” said Linquist. “The goats destroy cheat grass and thin out brush and that slows wildfire to a crawl even in the heat.”

“They’re docile animals, they’re really easy to deal with and I think that’s why they’re perfect for this job,” said Linquist. “We’re not leaving any chemicals - a little fertilizer, but it’s just a more green ecofriendly way to manage.”

The price for weed-eating goats is just a few thousand dollars.

Fire mitigation is also gaining ground on the federal level.

Last month a public-private partnership was unveiled in Denver, designed for key western states like Idaho.

The goal is to thin out vegetation that fuels catastrophic wildfires that threaten water supplies and hydroelectric facilities according to federal officials.

The announcement came at Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins by Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“It’s a noxious weed, it comes in See WILFIRE MITIGATION p.36 Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

31

Nutrients for Life Foundation Announces Winners of 2013 Idaho FFA Helping Communities Grow Chapter Recognition Program Hanson FFA Takes First Place; New Plymouth and Malad Chapters Win Second and Third The Nutrients for Life Foundation has selected Hanson FFA as Idaho’s 2013 Helping Communities Grow program winner and presented the chapter a $5,000 cash award. Hanson FFA set a goal to educate their small community about fertilizer and its importance in feeding the world. To reach community members, they met them where they eat, and designed and distributed placemats with the theme “Fertilizer Fills Your Plate.”

These placemats were used at restaurants around town and generated discussion about the importance of fertilizer in growing the food we eat. Using their leadership and creativity FFA members designed an advertisement that was used at the bowling alley for six months and created a YouTube video depicting the importance of fertilizer. The culminating event for the FFA chapter was their third annual “Fertilizer Education Day” where they Placemat produced by Hanson FFA Chapter for 2013 were able to create awareness of the necessity of ferti- Nutrients for Life Helping Communities Grow Program.

They were awarded $5,000 for First Place. lizer in nourishing our world.

Receiving runner-up honors and an award of $3,000 was New Plymouth FFA. New Plymouth FFA members began their “Helping Communities Grow” project by diving into the science behind plant nutrients and fertilizer and their importance in feeding the world. They took their new knowledge and created three lessons which they presented to fourth and fifth graders. The lessons focused on soil nutrients, seed germination and fertilizer and the elementary students learned about plant anatomy and about how nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are key nutrients all plants need for healthy growth. Students also observed soil separation that showed the different characteristics of soil and the role of air and space in soil, as well as how nutrients and water move to the roots and throughout the plant. Overall, this project was a great educational experience for FFA members and elementary students in New Plymouth.

The third place honor and an award of $1,000 were won

by Malad FFA. To reach their community Malad FFA members used the marquee sign on the four way stop in town to educate people about agriculture and its importance in their lives. They also lead the “Feeding Yourself” garden seminar that taught others how to grow their own healthy nutritious food. The Malad FFA Members also increased agriculture awareness in the elementary school. The FFA members wrote storybooks, created bulletin boards To learn more about Idaho FFA: www.idahoffa.org or www.idffafoundation.org

32

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

and hosted an elementary day that reached over fourhundred students.

Students in participating FFA chapters developed and executed community-based education programs based upon the Nutrients for Life Foundation curriculum, Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century. This free curriculum, developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study and reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution, provides field-tested, standards-based classroom activities to help tomorrow's generation realize that the challenge of feeding our growing population can be solved with science.

The Nutrients for Life Foundation informs the public of the role of nutrients in both the production of nutritious, abundant food and preservation of healthy green spaces through the development of science-based educational resources and an outreach campaign to people across the country. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. For more information, visit www.nutrientsforlife.org or call (800) 962-9065.

Food Sovereignty Movement Faces Legal Challenges

By John Thompson Nine small communities in Maine recently adopted ordinances declaring food independence from state and federal regulations in a campaign to allow the unencumbered sale of local meat, produce, and dairy products.

It started when the town of Sedgwick, Maine adopted an ordinance proclaiming the right to self-governance exempting producers or processors of local food from all license and inspection requirements.

The movement has expanded into Massachusetts, Vermont and California, where a handful of towns have also declared “food sovereignty.”

One court and the Maine House of Representatives have refused to recognize the right of a municipality to opt out of a state law.

But a majority of producers and consumers in some Maine communities have actually voted to approve the ordinances. They argue that they are protected by a “Home Rule” clause in the state constitution and that government inspection of small amounts of local food is an unneeded intrusion on their rights as citizens.

In many towns in Maine, municipal elected authorities, called selectmen, are merely administrators, while voters make up the legislative body. For that reason, the selectmen aren’t going to bat to defend the ordinances. Advocacy has largely fallen on the small farmers.

This Libertarian uprising raises interesting legal questions on several levels, relating to local government and the ability to nullify state or federal laws. People opposed to the movement, including several farmers quoted in local newspapers, call it anarchy.

The Maine Department of Agriculture recently sued farmer Dan Brown, accusing him of selling raw milk without a license.

Brown has been selling milk from a farm stand on his property for the past six years and at a local farmer’s market. In court, Brown claimed his sales were legal under a

A movement taking hold in the Northeast would do away with inspection and licensing of food produced on small farms.

Photo by Steve Ritter

municipal ordinance adopted by Blue Hill, Maine. In early May, Hancock County Superior Court Justice Ann Murray ruled that Brown was not protected under the local ordinance. The decision lends credence to the state’s stance that towns cannot simply opt out of a state law.

However, in the court decision, Justice Murray did not order the town of Blue Hill to strike the ordinance, meaning that in spite of Brown losing his case, other courts in Maine are likely to consider the underlying points of the ordinances including a municipality’s perceived right to nullify state law.

The Home Rule of the Maine Constitution, under which Brown sought shelter, permits a municipality to enact its own regulation when permitted to do so by the State Legislature, so long as the regulation “is not denied expressly or by clear implication.”

In the court decision, Justice Hancock wrote: “It is axiomatic that a municipality may only add to the requirements of the statute, it may not take away from those requirements unless permitted to do so otherwise.”

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News reported that the state’s department of agriculture would not comment on whether it intends to pursue other farmers operating without licenses in other towns. A department spokesman said they are keeping an eye on bills that would strengthen local food rules at the legislative level, where food sovereignty policy may ultimately be decided.

In mid-May, Maine’s House of Representatives voted 93-49 against a bill to establish a statewide food sovereignty act. Democrats arguing in favor framed the bill as a tool to bolster local control and to shift control of food production from corporate interests to local farmers. Republican opponents countered that the bill would harm small farmers and undermine the integrity of the state’s successful farm inspection and licensing system.

Closer to home, a similar bill tabbed the Food Freedom Act was considered by the Idaho House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee during the 2012 legislative session. The bill wasn’t approved by the committee and its sponsor, Phil Hart lost his bid for re-election.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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Insurance Matters Mike Myers ­­— Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. of Idaho

The Key Child Restraint Strap Parents Overlook A simple car seat tether that helps prevent child head and neck injuries is ignored by lots of parents, largely because they don’t know it exists. This top tether is designed to keep child restraints from tipping forward, and a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that parents use it only slightly more than half of the time.

The tether, typically located just behind the upper back of the child restraint, is part of a system designed to make car seat installation easier called Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, or LATCH. All forwardfacing child restraints since 1999 have a built-in LATCH top tether that needs to be attached to an anchor on a vehicle’s rear shelf, seat back, floor, cargo area or ceiling.

The survey found that nearly a quarter of the drivers surveyed didn’t know their child seat had a top tether. Fifteen percent didn’t know how to use the tether, and 10 percent were unsure where to attach it. Thirteen percent said they were in a hurry or didn’t have enough time to use the tether.

When tethers were used, the survey revealed that 31 percent were installed the wrong way. The most common types of misuse were loose straps, incorrect routing and twisted straps. About a quarter of drivers who used tethers reported trouble using them, mostly because the anchor was difficult to access or the strap was hard to adjust. Nearly a third of drivers who didn’t

use tethers considered them hard to use, and many of these drivers didn’t know where to attach the tether.

Research for the IIHS survey was conducted in 50 suburban shopping centers, recreation facilities, child-care centers, car-seat checkpoints, and healthcare facilities. Researchers gathered data from 479 vehicles driven by a parent or caregiver.

Parents should consult the child restraint owner’s manual and the vehicle owner’s manual to see how to properly route and attach the tethers.

Source: IIHS

“Top tethers help prevent head and neck injuries for children in forward-facing restraints, but many parents don’t realize they are supposed to use them,” said Anne McCartt, IIHS senior vice president for research. “This is a persistent problem. The child passenger safety community could help with a focused effort to educate consumers about top tethers and why they are important.”

Parents are more familiar with and more likely to use the other half of the LATCH system, the lower straps that connect to a pair of anchors situated in the vehicle seat where the bottom cushion and seat back meet. A vehicle’s safety belts can also be used to secure the bottom half of a child restraint. Top tethers are designed to be used in all forward-facing child restraints, whether they are secured by safety belts or the lower anchors. “Many parents haven’t gotten the message that the top tether should be used with all forward-facing child restraints, whether they are installed with lower anchors or safety belts,” McCartt added.

34

All forward facing child restraints since 1999 have a built in top tether often overlooked or ignored by parents.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

35

WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Continued from page 31

The project called Western Watershed Enhanced Partnership is a partnership that merges agencies that will look after western water projects potentially threatened by wildfire.

“When a forest fire takes place, it can compromise the water supply in those reservoirs,” Vilsack said. “Sediment can build up, and the ash created by fires can cause huge problems downstream in terms of water quality.”

Vilsack says the partnership helps agencies balance resources and reduce the risk of sediment in rivers and water projects.

Under the pilot program the Forest Service will work on prescribed burns to reduce fire risks near reservoirs, dams, irrigation project according to federal officials. The work includes reseeding and rehabilitation of scorched lands reducing sediment runoff from blackened earth.

The Department of Agriculture oversees

36

the Forest Service and is teaming up with the Interior Department and the Bureau of Reclamation. Together they’ll work to formalize partnerships around the Salt River-CC Cragin project in Arizona; Boise, Payette and Snake River systems in Idaho; Mid-Pacific Reclamation Region in California; Yakima Basin in Washington State; and the Horsethief Reservoir and Flathead River in Montana.

After wildfires in 1997 and 2002, Denver Water spent more than $26 million to prevent more runoff of debris into its water supplies. The company says it would rather spend money preventing wildfires than dealing with problems caused by wildfires.

The wildfire season has been deadly thus far with deaths in Arizona and Colorado.

Extended drought conditions and hotter, drier weather patterns have created a worrisome environment.

“Forest fires are in many cases a result of

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

lightning strikes and are natural catastrophes in the same way a hurricane, or a flood, or a tornado is,” Vilsack said. “And yet the funding response to other natural disasters is different than it is for a forest fire,” he said.

Money that would normally be used to restore forests is being used to suppress fires, meaning less money is being spent to reduce the risk of large blazes in the first place.

“What we as a nation need to look at is how we could better and more consistently treat forest fires that are caused by Mother Nature in the same way as we do other natural disasters,” Vilsack said.

With scorching 100-degree temperatures across the West, there is increased risk for wildfires according to the BLM. State and Federal agencies are urging homeowners to be ‘firewise’ the rest of the season by thinning brush and cutting down weeds near homes.

Celebrating 75 Years Conserving the Idaho Way

Flyboarding Vic Ludwig of Council Idaho is the owner of H2OMG Flyboarding. He is offering rental time on the flyboard on Payette Lake in McCall and at Lucky Peak near Boise.

He says it’s the only flyboard operating in Idaho.

LOW INTEREST LOANS FOR IDAHO SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION Sprinkler Irrigation, No-Till Drills, Fences Livestock Feeding Operations Solar Stock Water Pump Systems 2.5%-3.5% Terms 7-15 Years Up to $200,000 CONSERVATION

LOAN PROGRAM

Photo by Steve Ritter

swc.idaho.gov | 208-332-1790 Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

37

Farm Bureau速 Young Farmers & Ranchers Program

YF&R SHAPES THE FUTURE

The YF&R program helps young members shape the future of agriculture, as well as their own, with leadership development. The program strives to provide personal growth and advancement opportunities for its members, while building a more effective Farm Bureau to preserve the industry.

As part of the YF&R program, top members are highlighted each January in three competitive areas.

Three winners will receive their choice of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra truck, courtesy of GM; nine national finalists will receive a Case IH Farmall tractor, courtesy of Case IH; as well as a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in STIHL merchandise.

Danielle Budy of Woods County, OK, Photo by D. Mielke, OKFB

For more information about YF&R competitive events and how you can get involved, contact your state Farm Bureau office or the American Farm Bureau Federation速 at yfr@fb.org or 202-406-3600 38

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

Idaho Beef Council Elects FY 2014 Officers 8 0 0 -574- 9464

8 0 0 -822- 1616

8 0 0 - 247-4324

Farm Bureau Discounts Call the individual air ambulance provider to learn about their service areas and to purchase membership.

Make sure that you introduce yourself as an Idaho Farm Bureau Member to receive your discount.

Idaho beef producers Judy Hinman of Emmett, Morgan Evans of Downey, and Scott McNeley of Grandview were named to leadership positions at the June 13th and 14th Idaho Beef Council (IBC) meeting held in Boise.

Hinman, Evans and McNeley are volunteer leaders and will hold these positions for fiscal year 2014. Their responsibilities include setting IBC’s priorities and providing direction for the spending of Idaho Beef Checkoff dollars in order to maintain and build consumer demand for beef through support of integrated state, national and international programs.

Hinman, elected Chairman of the IBC is a producer from Emmett and represents the Idaho Cattle Association (ICA) Cattle Women Council. Evans, elected Vice-Chairman, is a cow/calf producer from Downey and represents the cow/calf industry.

McNeley, elected Secretary/Treasurer is a feeder from Grandview and represents the feeder industry.

The Idaho Beef Council also welcomes Lou Murgoitio and Bruce Billington to the IBC Board of Directors. Murgoitio is a dairy representative from Boise and will replace Tom Dorsey who was also a dairy representative from Caldwell. Dorsey served six years as an IBC Director. Bruce Billington is an auction livestock market representative from Twin Falls, and will replace Dan Schiffler who was also an auction livestock market representative from Jerome. Schiffler served six years and was part of the IBC Budget Committee as well as serving as a National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Federation Director.

The IBC Board of Directors is an eight member board with representatives from the cow/calf industry, dairy industry, feeder industry and Idaho’s auction markets. These representatives are peer nominated and Governor appointed and serve three year terms.

About the Idaho Beef Council: The Idaho Beef Council was created in 1967 by the Idaho legislature as a marketing organization for the Idaho beef industry, and to support a national beef marketing effort. As a qualified state beef council under the Beef Promotion and Research Act, the Idaho Beef Council is responsible for collecting the $1.50 per-head checkoff on all cattle marketed in Idaho and distributing funds to state and national programs for the promotion of beef.

For more information about the Idaho Beef Council, please visit www.idbeef.org.

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

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Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

41

Classifieds

Real Estate/Acreage

Wanted

Four bedroom, (home cabin) in town, Yellowpine, Id. Fireplace, forced air oil furnace, shop, root cellar, deck, carport, rail fenced, corral, furnished. $119,000. Owner may carry with reasonable down. 208-286-7790

Wanted Young Donkey to be a companion for our new jenny foal, she is currently one month old. Wendell, Id. 208-536-6448

Recreational Equipment

Animals

Household

ASCA registered Australian Shepherd pups.

Working line since 1968. Full satisfaction guaranteed. All four colors available. Boise, Id 208-484-9802

Antiques, Victoria oak fireplace mantel from Oakley built in 1890’s $1800. Oak highboy, oak dresser all in good condition. Burley, Id. Call 208-678-2036 or 431-2036

APHA/AQHA horses for sale. Excellent bloodlines, dispositions and conformation. Stud Service available. Fee: $400. LFG. Caldwell, Id. 208-4542454

Kirby 2000 upright, all attachments Shampoo head never used. Too big for my house. Call for information. Emmett, Id. 208-365-4062

2006 - 39 foot Titanium 5th wheel Park model.

4 slides, new condition. Used 2 weeks in 06.

Stored inside since 06. Paid $62,000 sell for $39,000. Alaska insulation package. Must see.

Buhl, Id 208-731-5517

Miscellaneous

Reward

Parade saddle - Black with red seat, lots of bling.

Bridle and breast collar, red saddle blanket. 16 in. Beautiful and very good condition. Ammon/ Idaho Falls, Id. 208-529-1626 or 989-6795

$500 REWARD - 2004 Green Polaris Sportsman 500 HO stolen from near Bancroft, ID May 2013.

License JR 7218. VIN 4XACH50A24B406634.

(208) 851-2667 or lovinlava@yahoo.com with information

Registered Quarter Horses - Proven Bloodlines that make super working cow horses, cutting horses and roping horses. A great selection with plenty of color and chrome. Yearlings to 4 yr olds - older horses. Started with 30 days training. Hamer, Id. 208-589-1951 Texel ram lambs for sale. Ready to go now. Put that ‘something extra’ in your flock. $400.00 each. Indian Valley, Id. Call (208)256-4426 evenings.

Wanted Young Donkey to be a companion for our new jenny foal, she is currently one month old. Wendell, Id. 208-536-6448

Farm Equipment Challenger MT 755, 2209 hrs, annual service by Western States, 1000 hrs on 25” tracks, Trimble A/S and sprayer control, $172,000.00 Two 500hp US Motors, 480 volt, 3 phase, Inverter duty, hollowshaft irrigation motors, $25,000 each. Call 208-220-5588 or email deegt@ aol.com Oliver One Row Potato Digger field ready. Two, 2500 bu. Grain bins in good condition. New Albers self-locking stations, 350 holes. New Cornell chopper pump 4” discharge with 3 hp.

3 phase motor. All at Best offer. Wendell, Id. 208-536-6448 Balewagons: New Holland self-propelled or pulltype models/parts. Also interested in buying balewagons. Will consider any model. Call Jim Wilhite at 208-880-2889 anytime Help Wanted

Agricultural Collateral Inspection and Appraisals.

Ag background required. Training course available. Call 800-488-7570 or visit www. amagappraisers.com.

Horse size Biothane harness, excellent condition. $800. Lots of extras. Juliaetta, Id. 208-2767540 Western saddle: 15½ “ seat, natural-gold leather with cowboy floral corner tooling and conchos, double-dee rigging, weight 35 lbs, 2” post + 3½ “ cap horn. Extra set of stirrups - tapederos w/floral tooling. Wendell, Id 208-536-6724 27 lengths 3 inch hook and latch sprinkler pipe $540; Craftsman 10” radial arm saw, good condition $150. Ashton. Id. 208-652-7214 Black bear rug for sale. In excellent condition. $450. Less than appraised for. Boise, ID. Call 208-429-6981

Real Estate/Acreage Mobile Homes: 1974 Marlette, 14x70 $7,500 Tip-out. Near new furnace/hot water heater.

1974 Skylark 12x60 $6,000. 1974 Academy 14x60 $6,500. Good Condition. Sold “AS IS”.

Natural Gas. Mobile Home Rehab Law Applies.

Must be moved. Shelley area. For more Info call 528-5337. Leave message.

4 city lots for sale in Downey, Id. $4,500 OBO 208-234-1397 Work hard, earn a good living with Clearwater County, Idaho, feed store. $499,000 with inventory for historic building, warehouse, rental properties. 35+ years selling feed, seed, tack, pet supplies. Owner retiring, will finance. Also selling home w/acreage. Whipple’s Feed, Orofino, 208-476-4412.

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS 42

Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly / SUMMER 2013

2003 Montana 5th wheel. 2 slides. Loaded, no pets, non-smokers, clean and fancy. Salmon, Id 208-756-1475

Trailers

Wanted to Buy: Tractor, 175- 200 horsepower.

In like new condition with low hours. Prefer John Deere, but will consider others. Please call-208-733-364 Twin Falls, Idaho Paying cash for German & Japanese war relics/ souvenirs! Pistols, rifles, swords, daggers, flags, scopes, optical equipment, uniforms, helmets, machine guns (ATF rules apply) medals, flags, etc. 549-3841 (evenings) or 208-405-9338.

Old License Plates Wanted: Also key chain license plates, old signs, light fixtures. Will pay cash. Please email, call or write. Gary Peterson, 130 E Pecan, Genesee, Id 83832. gearlep@ gmail.com. 208-285-1258 Buying U.S. gold coins, proof and mint sets, silver dollars, rolls and bags. PCGS/NGC certified coins, estates, accumulations, large collections, investment portfolios, bullion, platinum. Will travel, all transactions confidential. Please call 208-859-7168.

1988 Coleman MC Trailer - Burgundy w/ Chrome, Spare Tire. Stainless Coleman Cooler attached. $1,500. Gooding, photos on request. ddonnae@gmail.com 208-731-7845

Paying cash for men’s vintage/old clothing from the 1950s and back. Includes denim (jeans, jackets, bibs), leather jackets, boots, suits, shirts, pants, and WW2 U.S. Clothing. Condition can vary! Call 208-241-5366

Heavy duty 24 ft drop deck fifth wheel equipment trailer. 35 ton cap. Air brakes. Could be used for bulk chemical tank transport. $4000 or trade for 12 t (or greater) tilt trailer.

Potlatch, Id. 208-305-2929

Collector paying cash for old cork top bottles and telephone insulators. Willing to travel for one bottle or entire collection. Call Randy.

Payette, Id. 208-740-0178

Vehicles

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1981 GMC Cabalaro. 90 percent restored. Have 10K invested. Saint Maries, Id. 208-245-3053 1976 Chevrolet Caprice Classic. 4 dr, has 4 snow tires on rims. Moscow, Id 208-883-0511

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