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Washington farmers may finally receive promised climate tax relief
A bill hoping to deliver on the long-overdue climate tax fuel exemptions promised to agricultural producers has passed the Washington...
Sam Cardwell
Mar 283 min read


Licensing reform can help provide veterinarians with assistance
“I’m happiest behind a cow,” is the phrase I always hear when my dad is asked about retiring from veterinary life. Though his days have...
Madilynne Clark
Dec 16, 20244 min read


Electronic ear tag mandates for cattle should be scrapped
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may be better named the Farmer Aggravating and Regulatory Threats Department (FARTD). Its...
Marta Mossburg
Nov 15, 20243 min read


Don’t put raw milk regulations out to pasture
I farm, homeschool, garden, bake bread, raise chickens, and make my own yogurt. It seems I’m following the fad of the homesteading...
Madilynne Clark
Aug 28, 20243 min read


Now Available: The Mountain States Policy Manual
The Mountain States Policy Manual is a 200-page guide filled with facts, figures, research and more than 80 recommendations – it is an...
Jason Mercier
Jul 15, 20243 min read


Governor Little issues Executive Order to resolve Idaho water fight – for now
The challenging waters of Idaho's irrigation needs became even more turbulent in recent weeks, with water users working through...
Madilynne Clark
Jul 3, 20243 min read


American Agriculture Needs Farm Workforce Modernization
Note: This is a joint Mountain States Policy Center op-ed with U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson (Idaho) American farmers feel like the...
Madilynne Clark
May 9, 20243 min read


Putting animal agriculture out to pasture is a bad moo-ve
Pushing farm businesses out to pasture, only because they’ve grown to keep up with expenses is an unfair solution.
Madilynne Clark
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Idaho Farm Bureau sets the record straight on education choice
Many Idaho legislators come from rural communities that are home to many farms. As the debate over education choice has unfolded over the...
Chris Cargill
Mar 11, 20241 min read


Small farms in the Mountain States are disappearing
Farm numbers across the United States are dwindling and the mountain states are no exception.
Madilynne Clark
Mar 4, 20243 min read


Cracking open the cause for skyrocketing egg prices
You may need to break a few eggs to make an omelet but the yolk from bad policies can spoil the meal for everyone.
Amber Gunn
Feb 26, 20243 min read


Count the blessing of a cheaper Thanksgiving feast
This Thanksgiving, pile on an extra helping of sweet potatoes and enjoy a third round of turkey because the total cost of the meal is...
Madilynne Clark
Nov 22, 20232 min read


Use these policy treats to ward off scary tricksters
These policy treats will be more effective than full-sized candy bars (and cheaper too).
Jason Mercier
Oct 30, 20231 min read


Bring the free market back to agriculture
We’ll be providing policymakers with recommendations to help sow the crop for a better agricultural climate.
Madilynne Clark
Sep 5, 20233 min read

Free market agriculture grows when resources are available
A seed is filled with unlocked potential. Add a little soil, sunlight, and water, and within days the seed begins to sprout, filling the...
Madilynne Clark
Sep 1, 20233 min read

Free market agriculture weeds out excessive regulations
As a small farmer starting from scratch, there comes a point when it is necessary to hire someone to work on your operation. A few years...
Madilynne Clark
Aug 31, 20233 min read


Free market farming ends drought-like conditions
Farmers have the potential to thrive when they are unencumbered by excessive regulations.
Madilynne Clark
Aug 28, 20232 min read

Who is responsible for Idaho’s water supply?
Who is responsible for Idaho’s water supply? A generic answer would be ‘everyone.’ A more thoughtful answer would specify policymakers...
Madilynne Clark
Aug 9, 20232 min read


Idaho water fight is hard to see through
Like murky water, it’s hard to see through the current Idaho water fight. As farmers watched the above average snowpack accumulate all...
Madilynne Clark
Jun 16, 20233 min read

Federal lands rule is a good theory but poor proposal
Conservation leases need to be proposed legislatively, to keep this valuable policy tool unhindered by judicial proceedings.
Madilynne Clark
Jun 14, 20233 min read
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