Protecting Agriculture. Empowering Communities
Data centers are unique because their impacts extend far beyond the property they’re built on. They require enormous investments in electrical infrastructure, transmission capacity, substations, fiber, and often significant water resources. At the same time, Canyon County is facing real … Continued
Keri Smith has spent her career at the intersection of leadership, growth, and public service. As the former Chair of the Canyon County Board of Commissioners, she helped guide one of Idaho’s fastest-growing regions through complex decisions involving land … Continued
Keri Smith discusses Canyon County’s growth, the importance of protecting agriculture, and the need for clear, responsible land-use planning. She explains Growing Together’s work to educate the public, support thoughtful development, and encourage urban growth boundaries that direct growth toward … Continued
Gregg Alger, owner and operator of Huston Vineyards, shares the story of Idaho’s growing wine industry, the agricultural roots of the Sunny Slope region, and the challenges of producing world-class wines in Canyon County. He also emphasizes the importance of … Continued
by Keri Smith 4.20.26 When most people think about how land is regulated in their county, they picture zoning maps — those color-coded diagrams that tell you what can be built where. But there’s another map that often gets … Continued
The final theme that surfaced clearly during the Ag Forum Q&A was this: boundaries matter. Whether we call them urban growth boundaries, intentional growth areas, or strengthened areas of impact, the concept is the same—communities need clear lines that shape … Continued
One of the strongest questions at the Ag Forum focused on a situation many communities are living through: what happens when a subdivision is placed in the middle of active farms? The short answer is: everyone feels it. Once residential … Continued
One of the most persistent myths we heard addressed at the Ag Forum was the idea that agriculture is fading anyway—so conversion is inevitable. The data and real-world experience in Canyon County tell a very different story. Canyon County agriculture … Continued
Zoning and comprehensive planning aren’t just paperwork. They are the guardrails that protect compatibility, reduce conflict, and create predictability—for residents, for farmers, and for developers. Under Idaho’s Local Land Use Planning Act (LLUPA), communities adopt comprehensive plans (the vision) and … Continued