Agriculture

From the endless fields of delicious strawberries to the cattle that graze on the picturesque plains, Gem County is home to an undeniable abundance of agricultural activity. Together with our local farmers, we work to promote the expansion of agricultural production throughout the region, while simultaneously drawing attention to the high-quality foods our local residents create. Not only does generating awareness create additional revenue for our valued farmers and their families, but it helps foster positive relationships between agricultural groups and the local community.

Gem County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Foundation continually works to encourage the community to participate in the agricultural process. Annual events including the Emmett Cherry Festival and the Emmett Harvest Festival & Street Fair give local farmers the opportunity to sell their wares and engage in meaningful dialogue with the residents of Gem County. The local Farmers Market also allows agricultural workers to share their bounty with locals, many of whom are interested in obtaining organic produce. Furthermore, these events are great learning opportunities for home growers who want to soak up tips and advice from the farmers who understand how to coax the best produce out of our beautiful land.

Agriculture has been an economic focus of our fair region for more than 100 years. While many people outside of Idaho know our beautiful state as the number one producer of potatoes in the nation, our farmers have more to offer than tasty spuds. We are also the second largest producer of both peas and barley, and our dairy output supplies much of the Western United States with milk and cheese products. In fact, more than 23,000 Idahoans are employed by the dairy industry. Food production and agricultural as a whole represent more than $1.5 billion in annual revenues for the state of Idaho, and in Gem County, we are doing our part to ensure local farmers get a fair share of that pie.

Building a strong base of local farmers is about much more than simply ensuring the financial stability of Gem County and those who call it home. We believe in supporting the efforts of both independent farmers and conglomerates, as these are the groups that bring nourishing food to the tables of our citizens. Without the presence of these vital producers in our region, businesses would need to source products from other states around the nation. Not only does keeping our agricultural business local minimize our carbon footprints and environmental impact, but it means food can travel from farm to plate faster than ever before. For both farmers and the general public in Gem County, local food production is truly a win-win.

Our commitment to farmers in Gem County remains an important tenet of the Gem County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Foundation’s overall mission and vision. We strive to continually promote the laudable work of our area farmers. By partnering with these valued members of our community, we hope to encourage future agricultural growth, while simultaneously helping our farmers stay viable and competitive in a changing market.