Protecting Agriculture. Empowering Communities
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
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
PRESS RELEASE IDAHO SUPREME COURT SETS STATEWIDE PRECEDENT ON WHO CAN CHALLENGE LOCAL REZONING DECISIONS IN COURT Caldwell, ID — January 16, 2026 — On January 16, 2026, the Idaho Supreme Court issued its decision in Crookham v. County of … Continued
Growing Together’s Keri Smith recently joined Matt Todd on the Ranch Podcast for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about growth in Idaho—what’s driving it, what it’s costing us, and why “everyone agrees we should save farmland” doesn’t automatically translate into better outcomes. Watch or listen to the … Continued
On this episode of The 1% Podcast, Rick Hogaboam breaks down one of the most important — and least understood — issues facing Canyon County residents: the true cost of services. Rick explains how growth pressures, infrastructure demands, and rising … Continued
Back in 2019, BYU–Idaho updated the Cost of Community Services (COCS) analysis for four Idaho counties, including Canyon County — and its findings are just as relevant today as they were then. The study breaks down how much local government … Continued