<span style="font-family:poppins-semibold,poppins,sans-serif;" class="wixui-rich-text__text">WHAT WE COVER

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...

Don’t put raw milk regulations out to pasture

Aug 28, 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...

Now Available: The Mountain States Policy Manual

Jason Mercier

Jul 15, 20243 min read

GOVERNANCE

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...

Governor Little issues Executive Order to resolve Idaho water fight – for now

Jul 3, 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...

American Agriculture Needs Farm Workforce Modernization

May 9, 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...

Putting animal agriculture out to pasture is a bad moo-ve

Apr 1, 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.

Idaho Farm Bureau sets the record straight on education choice

Chris Cargill

Mar 11, 20241 min read

EDUCATION

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...

Small farms in the Mountain States are disappearing

Mar 4, 20243 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.

Cracking open the cause for skyrocketing egg prices

Amber Gunn

Feb 26, 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.

Count the blessing of a cheaper Thanksgiving feast

Nov 22, 20232 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...

Use these policy treats to ward off scary tricksters

Jason Mercier

Oct 30, 20231 min read

BUDGET/TAX

Use these policy treats to ward off scary tricksters

These policy treats will be more effective than full-sized candy bars (and cheaper too).

Bring the free market back to agriculture

Sep 5, 20233 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.

Free market agriculture grows when resources are available

Sep 1, 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...

Free market agriculture weeds out excessive regulations

Aug 31, 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...

Free market farming ends drought-like conditions

Aug 28, 20232 min read

Free market farming ends drought-like conditions

Farmers have the potential to thrive when they are unencumbered by excessive regulations.

Who is responsible for Idaho’s water supply?

Aug 9, 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...

Idaho water fight is hard to see through

Jun 16, 20233 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...

Federal lands rule is a good theory but poor proposal

Jun 14, 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.

Supreme Court cleans up the Clean Water Act

May 30, 20233 min read