Growing Together LLC
Canyon County, Idaho
October 7, 2025
Dear Canyon County Residents,
Our county stands at a critical crossroads for the future of agriculture. In just a few short weeks, the Canyon County Commissioners will hold public hearings on October 15–16 to decide whether some cities will be allowed to include hundreds and in some cases thousands of acres of farmland into their Areas of City Impact (AOIs)—the first step toward large-scale annexation and conversion of farmland.
Recent changes in Idaho law (Idaho Code §67-6526) strengthened local control over city expansion. This law, part of the state’s Local Land Use Planning Act, now gives county commissioners sole authority to decide city impact boundaries. It also sets clear limits: an Area of City Impact must only include land that is very likely to be annexed within five years, and it cannot extend more than two miles beyond current city limits. Cities must show real evidence—such as service plans or annexation timelines—to justify these expansions. The intent of this reform was to stop unchecked sprawl, protect farmland, and make sure growth happens where services already exist.
The law also recognizes that areas of impact are where cities expect future growth and development—but it requires that growth be realistic and supported by infrastructure. These boundaries are not meant to stop growth but to ensure it occurs in a responsible, planned way. The new standards help cities focus on infill and logical expansion rather than speculative sprawl over productive farmland. Most cities in Canyon County have reduced their proposed impact areas in response to these standards—but even after those reductions, many are still larger than what would meet the new state code.
These decisions will directly shape the future of our county’s agricultural economy, our schools, our emergency services, and our quality of life. Canyon County’s strong agricultural base depends on more than just land—it relies on a unique high-desert climate and canal irrigation system that allow short water runs on smaller acreages, creating ideal conditions for seed purity and high-value crop production. Protecting this balance is essential to maintaining our county’s leadership in specialized agriculture.
We need your voice.
The Commissioners need to hear directly from residents—farmers, ranchers, business owners, and families—who understand the value of keeping agriculture strong. Personal stories are important, but testimony must also address the criteria in the law: the five-year annexation limit and service availability. If you live within or near a proposed impact area, your participation is especially vital.
The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing for each of the cities listed below on the corresponding dates.
October 15: Caldwell, Greenleaf, Melba, Notus, Parma, Wilder
Hearings will start at 1:30pm
*These hearings will be in the regular BOCC Meeting room
October 16: Homedale, Middleton, Nampa, Star (4)
Hearings will start at 1:30pm
*These hearings will be held in the Canyon County Administration Building Public Meeting Room 111 N. 11th Ave. across the street.
To make it easy for you to prepare:
We’ve posted all letters and maps that Growing Together LLC has submitted to the county, for each city on our website. Visit Growing Together Website, and at the top right of the page, click “Area of City Impact Information.” You’ll find a dropdown for each city with the corresponding letters, maps, and hearing schedules. Please share these links with your neighbors, friends, and anyone who cares about the future of agriculture in our county and encourage them to attend the hearing for their closest city.
What you can do today:
- Review the maps and letters for your city on our website.
- Spread the word to others in your community and invite them to attend the hearing nearest them.
- Encourage local farmers, business owners, and community members to share their stories about why farmland preservation matters.
- Let us know if you plan to attend a hearing—we are organizing speakers and testimony coordination.
- Check back this weekend for additional testimony tips and talking points that will be posted online.
- Review the staff report from the Canyon County Development Services Department to understand how each proposal aligns—or fails to align—with the law’s criteria. (we will add them on our website pages as they are posted online)
- Share this email with your friends and family
Together, we can ensure that growth in Canyon County happens responsibly—within the limits of our infrastructure, our schools, and our shared values.
Let’s stand up for the land that feeds us.
With appreciation,
Keri Smith
Executive Director
On behalf of Growing Together
2c@growingtogetheridaho.org