Agriculture in Nampa, ID: ‘We Feed the World’

Joshua Roper

With its long history of agriculture, supporting agricultural producers and modernizing farming practices has traditionally been of great importance to the Canyon County community. Companies and organizations around the Nampa, ID, region are working toward preserving farmland while encouraging growth in the region that benefits farmers and residents alike. 

Feeding the World From Nampa

Canyon County represents a diverse agricultural landscape. Home to the most farms in the state as of 2022, the county’s production takes the form of alfalfa, grapes and an abundance of seed crops. In fact, the county is one of the top five areas for seed production in the world. 

“It’s easy to say that we feed the world. And that’s true,” says Keri Smith, executive director of Growing Together, a nonprofit that tracks land use in Canyon County to help preserve farmland. 

Seed production in Canyon County is essential to both the local economy and the global food supply chain. Sixty-five percent of the world’s sweet corn seed is produced locally, along with most of the carrot and onion seed produced in the United States. While the region was traditionally a high desert terrain, irrigation practices over the decades have contributed to rich soil and a diverse crop range. 

In recent years, the region has seen growth in the wine industry as more vineyards take root in the Snake River Valley. The Sunnyslope Wine Trail alone provides a self-guided tour of 20 wineries from Sunnyslope to Kuna. 

To preserve farmland that is essential for feeding the world, organizations like Growing Together work to educate farmers and residents about land use. Agriculture has long been a vital part of the culture and economy of Canyon County, with a supportive community at its core. During the adoption of Canyon County’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan, 86% of citizens polled agreed that agriculture was important to the local economy and way of life. 

“It’s farmers and ag-related businesses that are supporting our community and quality of life,” Smith says. 

Joshua Roper

Broad Community Impact 

Agriculture impacts many facets of the community, from farmworkers to businesses that supply goods that keep the farms running. Organizations like Growing Together help educate both agricultural producers and community members about the importance of preserving farmland – not just for the local economy but for the world. In the three years since it began, the organization has already tracked a reduction in the rate of farmland conversion across the county. 

“We’ve been growing a community of informed citizens and we’re seeing success,” Smith says. “It’s been exciting.” 

Part of the county’s mission is to create advocates for agriculture in the community by encouraging firsthand experiences of farms through agritourism ventures like Destination Caldwell’s AgVenture Trail, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail and the Farm-to-Fork Farmers Market.

By creating hands-on experiences of agriculture in the area, Smith hopes that more people will realize the importance of preserving these assets in their community. “We’re building people to whom agriculture makes a difference,” Smith says. 

Seeds of the Future 

The county has seen growth in the agricultural sector as the rate of farmland conversion drops. With companies like Syngenta expanding in the region, the economic impact of agriculture on the region continues to grow. The facility in Nampa is one of Syngenta’s largest labs for testing seed quality. As part of a 2019 expansion, a $30 million Trait Conversion Accelerator at the facility allows corn to be bred at a higher rate, modernizing the way seeds are produced in Nampa. 

On a smaller scale, farmers are innovating the ways that they connect with the community and take care of their crops. From using drone technology to fertilize crops and monitor pesticide contamination to implementing direct sales through home delivery, farmers continue to harness the same spirit of innovation that led to the development of the valley in its early years. 

“I hope that Canyon County just thrives – that we provide room for the valley to grow while also protecting areas that have really viable, large-scale agriculture and keeping it alive,” Smith says.