Miller: IFBF Continues To Work On Advocating For Idaho Ag

In a step toward a return to normalcy this summer, the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation hosted dozens of leaders from across the state in Island Park in late July to discuss ways to strengthen and promote not only the organization but farming the Gem Sate as well. Zak Miller, IFBF CEO, says one area they work to be proactive water rights and management. He noted the drought has stressed the importance of addressing water issues.

“Everyone’s got it in the back of their mind, but when you see the drought levels and the water availability going down, that’s when those ideas that were probably muddled around or a lot of great ideas happen on the back of a horse or in the cab of a tractor, and when you see it come to fruition like we are in a year like this, that’s when you see those ideas that have been muddled and thought about, now there’s urgency to take action on them.”

When it comes to promoting Idaho Ag, Miller notes that conversation starts at home, addressing the growing urban/rural divide. He said while more and more Idahoans are not connected to Ag, it’s important that Farm Bureau serves as a conduit to share what’s really taking place on the farm.

"So when frustrations come or questions arise that we have a baseline of trust, that we can explain what we do and we can be able to show what we do and we have that baseline of trust.  It’s a lot easier to understand, it’s a lot easier to seek understanding, versus when we go the other way, and we got to be proactive because it’s so much harder to play defense it’s so much harder to overcome a negative prebuilt perception.”

Miller added advocacy also helps instill confidence in consumers that Idaho products are top quality and safe.

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