Idaho's 'Farmers First' Agenda Fails Growers by Ignoring Climate Reality

Idaho’s farmers, the backbone of the state’s identity, are staring down a brutal reality. Extreme weather batters their crops, soil erodes under chemical overuse, and water grows scarcer with each passing season. These aren’t abstract threats; they’re the lived experience of producers who feed communities while grappling with razor-thin margins. Over half of U.S. farmers growing staples like corn and soybeans have reported losses for years, and Idaho’s growers are no exception. Yet, a new initiative, touted by Governor Brad Little as a lifeline, risks leaving them with little more than rhetoric.

The ‘Farmers First Agenda,’ backed by the America First Policy Institute, promises to bolster rural economies and ease burdens on producers. On its face, it’s a compelling pitch: prioritize farmers, cut red tape, and open global markets. But dig deeper, and the agenda reveals a troubling disconnect. It leans heavily on deregulation and trade expansion while sidestepping the urgent need for sustainable practices and equitable support. For Idaho’s farmers, who face mounting climate pressures and economic instability, this approach feels like a bandage on a broken system.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Local agriculture isn’t just about feeding people; it’s about anchoring communities, preserving ecosystems, and building resilience against global disruptions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, regions with strong local food systems weathered shortages better, proving their worth. Idaho’s farmers deserve policies that empower them to thrive, not just survive. But the path forward demands more than slashing regulations—it requires bold investment in sustainability, technology, and community-driven solutions.

This isn’t about politics; it’s about survival. Farmers aren’t asking for handouts. They’re asking for tools to adapt, innovate, and protect the land that sustains us all. The question is whether leaders like Governor Little will deliver or settle for gestures that sound good on paper.

The ‘Farmers First Agenda’ hinges on a seductive premise: free farmers from federal overreach, and prosperity will follow. It calls for rolling back environmental rules and boosting exports to shrink the $49 billion agricultural trade deficit. For Idaho, where agriculture drives 15% of the economy, the appeal is obvious. But this approach glosses over a critical truth: deregulation often benefits corporate agribusiness, not small producers. The USDA’s own data shows that 68% of large farms use precision technology, while smaller operations struggle with upfront costs. Slashing oversight risks widening this gap, leaving family farms vulnerable.

Then there’s the climate blind spot. Idaho’s farmers face droughts, floods, and pest surges that threaten yields. The agenda’s push to loosen environmental standards ignores the reality that sustainable practices—like cover cropping or smart irrigation—cut costs and boost resilience. Recent policy shifts, like the USDA’s termination of a $59 million University of Idaho grant for climate-smart farming, underscore this misalignment. The grant was axed because it didn’t funnel enough funds directly to producers, but the decision gutted a program that could have helped farmers adapt to a warming world.

Advocates of the agenda argue it puts farmers first by cutting bureaucracy and opening markets. But this logic falters when you consider who benefits most. Trade deals often favor large exporters, while small growers compete with cheap imports. And deregulation? It’s a gift to corporations that skirt accountability, not to farmers who need stable markets and healthy soil. The agenda’s focus on short-term gains betrays the long-term needs of rural communities, who rely on local agriculture for jobs, food security, and cultural pride.

Idaho’s own history proves there’s a better way. The state’s Rural Impact strategy, launched in 2024, emphasizes collaboration between farmers, educators, and policymakers to build resilient communities. It invests in infrastructure, workforce training, and sustainable agriculture—approaches that deliver tangible results. By contrast, the ‘Farmers First’ vision feels like a top-down dictate, divorced from the realities of Idaho’s fields.

If Idaho’s farmers are to thrive, they need policies that meet them where they are. That means investing in technologies like robotic harvesters and crop-monitoring drones, which boost yields and cut labor costs. It means expanding programs like the Advancing Markets for Producers initiative, which funnels funds directly to growers for sustainable practices. And it means doubling down on local food systems—farmers’ markets, food hubs, and school meal programs—that keep dollars in communities and ensure fresh, nutritious food reaches those who need it most.

The evidence is clear: local agriculture strengthens resilience. During crises, communities with robust food systems adapt faster, buffering against price spikes and shortages. Idaho’s South Central Community Action Partnership has shown how sustainable farming, paired with community development, can lift families out of poverty. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky ideas; they’re proven models that balance productivity with environmental stewardship. Yet, they require public investment and political will—two things the ‘Farmers First Agenda’ shortchanges in favor of deregulation.

Farmers also need a Farm Bill that prioritizes equity and sustainability. The 2025 Farm Bill, still in negotiation, could raise reference prices for crops and expand conservation funding, but it must go further. Tying subsidies to eco-friendly practices and supporting small producers would level the playing field. Idaho’s Agricultural Protection Area Act already preserves farmland; similar policies could protect farmers from corporate consolidation and urban sprawl. These steps aren’t just good for farmers—they’re good for everyone who eats.

Idaho’s farmers stand at a crossroads. One path, paved with deregulation and trade promises, offers fleeting relief but risks long-term harm. The other, rooted in sustainability and community, demands courage and investment but delivers enduring benefits. Governor Little’s enthusiasm for the ‘Farmers First Agenda’ may resonate with those craving quick fixes, but it underestimates the complexity of the challenges farmers face. Real leadership would champion policies that empower producers to innovate, adapt, and thrive in a changing world.

The heart of Idaho’s agriculture isn’t just its crops—it’s its people. Farmers who rise before dawn, who weather storms and uncertainty, deserve more than applause. They deserve a system that values their labor, protects their land, and ensures their communities flourish. By investing in sustainable practices, local food systems, and equitable policies, Idaho can build an agricultural future that’s resilient, inclusive, and just. Anything less is a betrayal of the very people who feed us.