Issuu

A Honeymoon Trip Changes Everything

by Sandy Compton

Local writer Sandy Compton shares his family arrival in Montana

Bonner County Gardeners Plant Sale Coming Up

Bonner County Farm Tour - More Farms, More Fun

Magic, Hope, and Cancer

Decline of the Family Farm in Bonner County

Economics: When Will Interest Rates Go Up?

The Famous Raffle Basket will be on display. Find out more about the annual Garden Tour

Get all the details and join the fun as the annual farm tour takes off on June 13th

Dr. Gabrielle Duebendorfer, ND, discusses hope in the midst of cancer

Impacts of population growth and tax incentives on the small family farm

Judy Baird fills us in on how rates work

Housing Market Continues to Tighten 27 Jim Haynes sizes up the market

7BTV is a proud supporter of Sandpoint Rotary’s CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo

CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo is a oneday bike ride that supports our community. Proceeds benefit Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Literacy Initiative, after-school reading programs and other Rotary community projects. Ride in Sandpoint’s premier biking event and make a difference in the life of a child. Choose from 150-, 100-, 80-, 40- and 30-mile routes or our Family Fun Ride! Learn more at www.CHAFE150.org.

Call us today to see how you can help! 7BTV 208-263-7288

105 S. 3rd Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864

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May / June 2019 125 Tibbetts Lane Ponderay, Idaho 83852 coopcountrystore.com

From the Editor

The CO-OP Country Round Up

May / June 2019

Volume 19

Issue 4

Creativity, Adaptation and Community Make Change Possible by Kathy Osborne

As I sit writing this it is the last day of April and the sun is shining. It seems only a moment ago the neighbor and I were talking and trying to decide if March had come in like a lion, or a lamb, and we were just as confused as to how the month ended. Still, here we are full on into spring and just like that we are mowing lawns and tracking down yard sales. It is amazing to me how quickly we adapt to the weather here in north Idaho. I suppose it is because we must. Georgeâ€™s Tree Sale went very well this year, a challenge given that our usual nursery closed its doors and George had to really scramble to find product. The new trees and shrubs were bigger than usual and already coming out of dormancy. It was like working in the enchanted forest back there. We had a great time and hope our customers did as well. In this issue of the Round Up you will see articles from our usual line up of authors but there is a new addition this issue. We are delighted to have a wonderful story from Sandy Compton on page 26. This is from his family history which is rich and includes all that is wonderful about coming to north Idaho for the first time and falling in love with it. We have quite a lot happening this spring in the county from Lost in the 50s in just a few weeks to plant sales, the Bonner County Farm Tour in June, Forestry Classes at the U of I Organic Ag Center, various classes at the U of I Extension office, beekeeping groups and fund-raisers. It is all strewn throughout these pages along with some articles about the decline in small family farms, large livestock and the available manpower in the logging industry. But there is also some light at the end of the decline tunnel as lawmakers pass rules to allow younger workers into the timber industry and small acreage farms find ways to survive. This last winter felt like a long one. Those January thaws that nature throws in the mix are confusing and frustrating when we know in our knower that no matter what it looks or feels like, it is still winter. February certainly confirmed this. And it seemed long because our community suffered so many losses through deaths, fires, accidents and just the loss of dreams that should have had a future. Our community is still here, and most of us are still able to carry on into the spring and summer. We will garden, farm, work in the woods and go to our jobs, raise our families and do the laundry. We will still go to church, go to concerts, on hikes and support each other every chance we get. I am amazed at how we adapt here in north Idaho. I am greatful for this community when change is necessary. It is a beautiful place to grow.

611 South Ella Ave. * Sandpoint, ID * 83864 (208) 263-2344 * bchs@frontier.com www.bonnercountyhistory.org

Want to join a team of inspired thinkers? Have time, talent, ideas, expertise, or connections to share? Are you a change maker? An idea generator? Consider applying to be a part of the Museum's Superhero Squad. This group of volunteers will meet monthly to discuss, and implement, creative ideas for helping the museum fulfill its mission of History Creating Community. To apply, simply download the form from our website, http://www.bonnercountyhistory.org/superhero-squad, fill it in, and return it either in person, by mail or email to: Bonner County History Museum, 611 S. Ella Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864, bchs@frontier.com.

Proven Track Record at Keeping Propane Prices Low

Co-op Energy has been your locally owned and operated propane company since 2000. Our outstanding customer service and attention to reasonable pricing has set us apart from all other propane companies in the area. If you are looking for a new propane company to supply all your propane needs at home, the office or on the farm now is the time to call Co-op Energy! Our new 30,000 gallon bulk plant in Bonners Ferry makes servicing our Boundary County customers even more efficient. And as always, switching out your tank is FREE. NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO CALL FOR SPECIAL PRICING! Co-op Energy Propane & Fuel 110 Tibbetts Lane Suite 4

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Bits and Pieces

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Pack River Cemetary Clean Up Day

You bought insurance for your phone.

The Pack River Cemetery Association annual meeting and clean-up day will be Sunday May 19. The clean up will start about 1:00 p.m. with the annual meeting to follow at approximately 2:00 p.m. Two board members will be elected at the annual meeting. We ask that objects (solar lights, planters, vases, etc.) you want to keep on the graves of loved ones be picked up by May 1. This allows the cleanup people and the mower to do the necessary job around the graves, head stones, and markers.They maybe replaced after the clean-up day. Flags will be placed on veterans graves before Memorial Day. All are welcome to

participate in both the clean up and the meeting.

2019 Bonner County Farm Tour Coming Up Date: Time:

What about your life?

Thursday, June 13, 2019 8:00am – 5:00pm

Are you one of the 30 million Americans who doesn’t have life insurance?1 Contact me to see how I can help protect your family – your world.

This year we are hosting the Bonner County Farm Tour on Thursday, June 13, 2019. We will be visiting McKerracher Family Farm, Cocolalla Creek Sport Horses, Delay Farms Inc, and Triple T Nursery. Lunch will be served by the Bonner/Boundary Cattlewomen at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Westmond. The price for the tour and lunch is $30 per person for early registration. After June 3, the price will be $35 per person.

Kendon Perry 302 Main St Sandpoint (208) 265-5895 https://kendonperryid.fbfsagents.com AGENT INFO

AGENT PHOTO

For more information please contact UI, Bonner County Extension Office at 208263-8511 or email bgeiger@uidaho.edu. University of Idaho, Bonner County Extension Office 4205 N. Boyer (at the fairgrounds) Sandpoint, Idaho

Upcoming Fundraiser to Benefit Marcia Mitchell and Her Family DISCLOSURE

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Marcia Mitchell is in need of your help. On February 14, Marcia, her husband Mike, her son Issac and her daughter Addison received some devastating news. Marcia has been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. On February 27 Marcia, Mike and Terri (Marcia’s mom) went to Seattle to see an Oncologist to determine what the next step would be in treatment. While there they learned that she has a tumor with high cancer cells and they ordered an MRI and a Pet Scan to confirm this and to make sure it had not spread. During the appointment they discussed the urgency of getting Marcia started on intense rounds of Chemotherapy and radiation. The Chemo has been scheduled for once a week for six weeks and the radiation once a day for six weeks. After getting the results from both the MRI and Pet Scan they confirmed that the Cancer had not spread. However they discovered that the tumor is attached to her bladder and at a stage 4. So on top of the Chemo and radiation she will also be starting Brachytherepy at week 4 and doing this for 8 weeks. Marcia began her treatment on Friday March 22. To help defer some of the medical cost there has been a gofundme page set up under, “Marcia’s battle against Cervical Cancer”. There is a benefit account set up at Mountain West Bank called “Marcia’s Benefit Account” as well as donation jars set up at various establishments around town. There will also be a live and silent auction, a few raffle items and music held at the Eagles Lodge in Sandpoint on June 1st from 1-5. Come joint us for a good & show your support.

1LIMRA Life Insurance Consumer Studies, Facts About Life 2016. Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company provider of Farm Bureau Financial Services LI170 (12-18)

Then and Now

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Future Logging Careers Act Could Open Door for Youth in Logging Industry

Back when the Great Northwest was discovered, and those with vision were busy exploiting the natural resources found there were railroads and people going in and a lot of timber coming out. All that timber was being located, cut down, skidded, floated, loaded and shipped in a variety of extremely dangerous ways and no one was really keeping track of how old anyone was so long as they could work. It was hard and dangerous and no place for children. But children often found themselves in challenging work environments. By the 1930s the United States understood the need to both limit the dangers to child workers and to make sure they received an education. A series of laws were passed and while these laws were helpful to protect children and youth employed in factories, the rules did not apply to agriculture. Still today it is estimated that more than half of the food grown in the United States for human consumption is picked by youth under the age of 16. Logging and saw milling work ranks high on the OSHA list for jobs too dangerous for youth. But there is a problem. “As with many industries today, logging is facing a shortage of workers now and into the future. It will be increasingly difficult for our industry to meet the strong domestic demand for lumber, paper, and other wood products essential for our nation,” said ALC Executive Vice President Daniel Dructor. “The Future Logging Careers Act is one solution which will help the logging industry meet its future workforce needs while supporting small, family-owned businesses.” The Future Logging Careers Act amends the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act to allow 16-17 -year-olds to work in mechanized logging operations under parental supervision. This opens the door for families to engage their children in the education of timber harvesting and care of the forest while helping the family business succeed. The FLCA does not allow 16-17-year-ols “the manual use of chain saws to fell and process timber and the use of cable skidders to bring the timber to the landing.” The legislation is carefully written to allow for needed training with mechanized equipment and new technologies. The American Loggers Council works on behalf of professional timber harvesters throughout the United States to encourage best forest practices and support ongoing safety programs. “As professional timber harvesters we are deeply committed to promoting safety in the woods and on the roads, in the hope that someday logging will not be included in the annual list of ‘Americas Most Dangerous Professions’ Dructor said. “To enable younger loggers learn the trade and safe practices in a supervised setting, we urge Congress to pass this important legislation without delay.” This legislation was introduced in part by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID).Source material for the article includes the ALC Newsletter March

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(208) 263-7867 - 323 McGhee Rd. - Sandpoint, ID 83864 RCT 36175, ELE 021187, PLB 016436

SEASON OPENING

Friday, May 31 - June 2, 2019 Open Fri-Sun 1-4pm

200Varieties Varieties 200+

Highway 200

Great Prices! Great Prices!

Garden Clubs Welcome!

Local Foods, Producers, and Services and Where To Find Them The following farms can all be found in your neighborhood. If you find  something that really interests you or you want to sign up for a CSA (Community Support Agriculture) call the farmer or visit your local Farmers Market and start eating local. Also, visit www.localharvest.org and post your  farm for others to see what you produce. 

ABC Farmers Market (Athol, ID): Fridays 2pm-6pm Opening May, ending sometime in Oct. Located at the Athol City Park. Follow them on Face book @ABCFarmersMerket 



Angela and Millie (Sandpoint, ID): Goat milk and Cheese 208-263-3343 or 208-610-0694



Annie’s Orchard (Clark Fork, ID): Landscaping/ Nursery Products- Terry  and Carol Chowning 208-266-1245 anniesorchard.com



Black Ridge Trading Post & Gardens (Priest River, ID): Hatching eggs ,Free Range eggs, All Natural goat milk soaps & lotions, Organic soups & spices, and over 3000 varieties of Iris’s and Daylilies– Barry and  Lana Peterson 208-265-0585



Bella’s Barn (Bonners Ferry, ID): Creamery, Raw Jersey Milk, Yogurt, Raw Butter, Butter Milk– Bob Peterson 208-263-8208 Karyn Sullivan 208-3047201 peterson71@yahoo.com Bill’s Berries (Laclede, ID): U-Pick and Pre-picked Blueberries—208-2638982 Bonners Ferry Farmers Market (Bonners Ferry, ID): 8am-1pm Saturday at the City Parking Lot Bristow Country Gardens (Sagle, ID): Fresh Produce & Flowers (while in season)- Garry and Susan Bristow 208-290-8642 & 208-263-4224

Greentree Naturals (Sandpoint, ID): CSA, Farm Stand, Certified Organic Farm, Fresh Produce, Flowers, Garlic, Herbs, Hops, Organic Gardening Workshops - Diane Green 208-263-8957 www.greentreenaturals.com Hoot Owl Farm (Libby, MT): Locally grown Vegetables and Herbs. Libby and Troy Farmers Markets & CSA. Rudy and Bonnie Geber, 406-3185339, info@hootowlfarm.net, hootowlfarm.net J&M Farms (Athol, ID): Poultry Butchering Service– Judy 208-819-2781 McKerracher Family Farms (Careywood, ID): Pastured Poultry, Market Garden, and Bedding Plants – Julie McKerracher 208-818-0208 also find them at the ABC Farmers Market Mountain Glen Farm, LLC (Sagle, ID): All things poultry from duck & chicken eggs to hatchling & pullet services. Bee Hive construction & maintenance, honey extracting and seasonal honey sales- Susan & Bob Lesniewski 208-255-7818, www.mtglenfarm.com Moose Meadow Farm (Clark Fork, ID): Certified Organic Fresh Produce, CSA Subscription 2018 spots available. Free choice & Weekly deliveries. — Katherine Creswell & Spencer Nietmann 208-304-6492 moosemeadoworganic@gmail.com moosemeadoworganic.com



Naturally Good Things (Libby, MT): Health Food, Bulk Foods, Supplements, Spices, and Local Raw Honey– Georgina Powers 406-293-6771



Pack River Yaks (Sandpoint, ID): Yak Meat & Fiber—Christine Stoneham 208-263-4785



Queen Bee Honey (Clark Fork, ID): Raw Honey– Andrea & Kelly Cope 208-597-5433



Byrum Family Farms (Hayden, ID): Pasture Chickens, Heritage Turkeys, Eggs– Paris & Jonathan Byrum 208-664-9793

Rams Head Orchards (Evans, WA): Lamb sold by full or half (Must order ahead of time call for more info), Premium Lamb Burger $9.50/lb (While Supplies Lasts) – Lisa and Mike Whytock 208-818-7825 or 509-684-5425



Cascade Creek Farm (Bonners Ferry, ID): Grass fed Beef, Pasture Poultry  – Rob & Mimi Fueling www.cascadecreekfarm.com

Raven Rock Ranch (Libby, MT): Grass Fed Beef, and Farm Fresh Eggs– Georgine Powers 406-293-6771 also sold at Naturally Good Things



Celestial Natural Farms (Careywood, ID): Eggs, Rabbits, Heritage Turkeys, Goats, Fresh Goats Milk, Goat Milk Products, Beauty Products made with organic &natural ingredients– Celeste Ricci 208-610-9289 Feeds locally grown & non gmo feeds, also become a friend of the farm on Facebook (Celestial Natural Farms) and by email Celstialnaturalfarms@yahoo.com



Red Wheelbarrow Produce (Sandpoint, ID): Naturally Grown Produce in Selle Valley, and Plant Starts– Emily Levine 208-265-2689 Can be found at the Sandpoint Farmers Market and Winter Ridge www.redwheelbarrow.com



Riley Creek Farms (Laclede, ID): Blueberries, Jam, Vinegars, Vegetables, Raspberries, and Strawberries– Stan Urmann 208-263-4114 stanurmann@yahoo.com



Clear Skies Sheep Company (Bonners Ferry, ID): Lamb, Pigs, Beef, Eggs– Lou & Marva Maring 208-267-6107 find them on Facebook and  www.clearskiessheepcompany.com



Deerfield Farms (Sagle, ID): Over 20 varieties of certified organic tomatoes, including 16 heirloom varieties– Jerry and Susan Petrina 208-9466113



Double Shoe Ranch (Dover, ID): Katahdin Lambs pasture raised– Randy and Gail Curless 208-263-4633



Farm to Market Store & Bakery/Deli (Libby, MT): Produce & Meat (Seasonal) - Leona Mast 406-293-9775 hours Mon-Sat 9am-6pm



Four Peas Family Farm (Priest River, ID): Herbal Tonics, Tinctures, Raw Milk Goat Cheese, Raw Wool & Yarn, Handmade Crafts & Toys– Jim and Kim DesJarlais 208-597-0644 fourpeasfamilyfarm@gmail.com



Four Seasons Farm (Priest River, ID): CSA, Produce, Pasture Pork, Fresh Eggs, Chicken, Goat, and Turkey– Ron and Toni Carey 208-255-9193



God’s Little Acre (Careywood, ID): All Natural Grass Fed Beef, Berkshire Pigs, Free Range Chickens, Heritage Turkeys & Fresh Eggs– Susan Bourguigon 208-683-2907 or 208-659-6270 Must place order a head of time for Chickens and Turkeys



Sandpoint Farmers Market: 9am-1pm Saturdays and 3pm-5:30 Wednesdays. Located at the Farmin Park on 3rd and Main. The market always opens the 1st Saturday in May and ends the 2nd Saturday in October. www.sandpointfarmersmarket.com



Spencer Heritage Farm (Cocolalla, ID): Grass Fed Beef, Bulk & Wholesale Root Crops– Vern Spencer 208-597-1855 vernveggies@gamil.com



T&T Farm (Priest River, ID): Fresh Produce, Pepper Plant Starts, Raspberries, Goat Milk Caramel Sauce, Goat Milk Soap and Cheese– Vickie and Darwin Tenney 208-448-2414 and also find them at the Sandpoint Farmers Market



White Dove Ent. (Athol, ID): Poultry Processing—18 years experience (By appointment only, call for more info.) Non-GMO Grass Fed Beef, Non-GMO Chickens & Turkeys for your freezer (Must order ahead of time, call for more info.) Round Bales of Grass hay, Oat hay, and Straw– Mike & Misty Heuett 208-660-5375 mmheuett



Woods Meats (Sandpoint, ID): Inspected locally grown natural beef – 208-263-3077

Good Shepard Lamb Co. (Bonners Ferry, ID): Fresh naturally grown lamb, no hormones or antibiotics– Gordon and Marlene Stanley 208-267  -5882 can also find them at the Sandpoint Farmers Market Granite Lakes Goats (Libby, MT): Goat meat, Highland Cows & Beef, Chicken, Eggs– Amy Hughes 406-293-8957

Sacred Earth Farm (Sandpoint, ID): Vegetables, and Bedding Plants– Martinson & Higgens 208-263-7647

The Plant Sale (Priest River, ID): Old Fashioned Perennials, House Plants Pots, Small Hanging Baskets, and Select Vegetables. 208-448-2464 Ask for Donna.

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The CO-OP is proud to offer a market livestock and non-market feed program that work alongside 4-H member goals. How does the program work?

You must come in and sign up (at the front counter) before your market animals first spring weigh in, or if your animal doesn’t have a weigh in, you can sign up when you purchase your first bag of feed.

Species:

The cashiers up front will then mark off on your sign up sheet every time you come in, and purchase a bag of feed. To get this cash prize you must meet the minimum bag requirement for your project (explained in the tables). You must also either get a blue or red ribbon in your quality class, and sell your animal at the market sale. This year we have included a separate prize for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion.

The CO-OP is a strong supporter of the 4H program, and has been for many years now. We like to show our support by offering programs, and participating at the Market Animal sale.

Blue

Red Rib- Bags to

Beef

$100

$50

Swine

$50

$25

Sheep

$30

$15

Goat

$25

$15

Poultry

$15

$10

Rabbit

$15

$10

Qualifying Feeds. CHS:

You will be contacted for an in-store celebration where you will receive your cash prize. Look for an invitation to come in September.

Cash Awards:



Champion Steer



Bull Challenger



Champion Lamb



Champion Goat



Champion Hog



CHS Rabbit



Fryer Ration ( Chicken )

Elenbaas:

This year we have expanded our award program with more cash payouts to those who place with either Grand Champion or Reserve Champion as well as either a blue or red ribbon, and sell their animal in the Market Animal sale. We will still be attending the Market Animal Sale as well.



Proshow Steer



Proshow Lamb



Proshow Goat



Proshow Hog or Lean Hog 16%



Elenbaas Rabbit



Poultry Grower/Finisher

Grand

Reserve

Bags to

Beef

$200

$150

Purina:

Swine

$100

$75



Honor Show Chow

Sheep

$80

$60



Goat

$60

$45

Nature’s Match Starter/Grower & Grower/Finisher

Poultry

$25

$20



Meat Bird

Rabbit

$25

$20

Species:

How does the program work?

The award amount will depend on your placing in your Showmanship Class (Fitting & Showing). Please call or come in and tell us how you did after your showmanship event.

Just like our market animal program we will have a book at the front counter that will have sign up sheets for the kids and their projects. A cashier will fill the sheet out for you, and from there will also track how many bags of feed that you buy. Must sign up before June 1st. 2019.

You will then be sent an invitation for an in-store celebration where you will receive your cash prize. Look for an invitation to come in September. Ribbon

Award

Grand Champion

$25

Overall Reserve Champion

$20

Overall

The CO-OP is a strong supporter of the 4-H program, and has been for many years now. We like to show our support by offering programs, and participating at the Market Animal sale. This year we have decided to expand our program by including non-market animal projects as well.

Depending on your project, there will be a minimum bag purchase requirement (explained in table below).

Blue

$10

Red

White

QUALIFYING FEEDS:

Species

Bags

Horse/Pony

Beef

The qualifying feeds for our Non-Market animals are the following brands:

Dairy Cow



CHS

Swine



Elenbaas

Llamas/Alpacas



Purina

Sheep



LMF

Goats



Mazuri

Poultry Rabbits



Sun Basics

Cavies/Guinea Pigs

Rural Life

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Knowing When a Horse is Ready for Trail Riding By Samantha Harvey

feels soft and willing between you two. When he gets distracted but can let it go when you ask him to re-focus, without him getting defensive. When you can communicate without feeling mentally and physically exhausted after 15 minutes. (Part of which comes from folks not remembering to breathe I’m going to break down trail riding preparation like baking a recipe. as they are attempting to focus on helping their horse.) You’ll feel the fear First, do you have the necessary ingredients? Do you have effective “tools” in your communication? Can you influence or hesitations in the horse diminish and his curiosity (different from fixation) your horse’s thought before his movement? Can you interrupt him fixating perk up. He’s telling you, with your support, he’s ready to take on the world on something? Can you regulate varying degrees of energy within each and ride out. gait? Does your horse feel quiet at the halt? Or does he rush off because Offering Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey, for 12 years Sam the halt felt like containment? Can and do you offer specific direction for how has been based from May through October at The Equestrian Center, LLC, your horse will move? Can your horse ride straight, turn softly in a thoughtful located just 12 miles north of Sandpoint, ID. For over 20 years she has versus obedient manner? Can you ride at various places around your barn/ offered lessons, training, guest lectured, demos and clinics nationally. She pasture/home facility and have him interested? Or do you feel his heart rate works with students and horse of all levels and disciplines. For more information please visit www.learnhorses.com 208-265-2644 increase, his breathing become short and raspy or dragon like, and he starts looking for support from the other horses? Next, we need to “mix” the ingredients. There is usually a “danger zone” or imaginary boundary wherever the horse lives, where he will become unsure. Use this opportunity not to “make” him tolerate the uncomfortable place, but rather help him learn to think through it. Offer specific, direct communication changing the “Let’s ride through while feeling uncomfortable,” to instead, small, intentional, increI was workin’ late at the sawmill, again, mental pieces where he learns to think, rather than flee. Eventually you’ll And finally was headed on home, link the pieces together and ride “through” without it concerning your horse. The edger broke down at the end of the shift, This is NOT repetitiously practicing riding back and forth getting your horse So I had to fix it alone. “used to” a specific location. That does not increase his confidence for unexIt had to be running for swing shift, pected moments that you do not get to “practice,” such as when the moose jumps out. There was forty men countin’ on me, The horse should become more relaxed for your efforts. If he isn’t letting To have it ready to earn their pay, down the tension in his body, concern in his brain, softness in his response It had to be done, don’t you see? to you, then something has been missed and you’ll have to revisit the quality But it seems as though I’m forgetting, of your ingredients. As I go on with my work, What about the rider’s confidence? Something that’s very important, Learn to take the pressure off yourself by increasing your awareness. DeI’ll think of it yet, OH YOU JERK! crease feeling “surprised” by what your horse does and feeling ineffective. Today is my Mother-in-law’s birthday! Practice assessing (without your horse in hand,) various past scenarios My wife said I’d best not forget, to recognize what initial behaviors your horse displayed when concerned. She had planned a big surprise dinner, Consider how he “handled himself” and what communication you offered. I’ve not picked her present up yet. Assess how early you recognized his behaviors (a reflection of the horse’s brain and emotions) and if you were “hopeful” that your horse would be okay So I reckon that I’ll have hot tongue on his own, known as the passive rider trait. Horses cannot rationalize if And cold shoulder for supper tonight, their behavior is safe; therefore the human needs to interject. It seems that sometimes I can’t win, Fear can arise in the rider during stressful moments, so they attempt to Though I try just as hard as I might. avoid causing the horse to “blow up” by offering no guidance. Without qualOh, why’s it so hard to remember, ity ingredients, such as influencing the horse’s brain and body to pause, or To call when I’m gonna be late? stop, and check in with you, then the rider cannot offer support, for fear of I get caught up in the moment, an over-reaction from the horse. This is why it is crucial to have a mental The mill’s down, all else has to wait. availability, or willingness, from your horse to “try” whatever is asked of him, As I sheepishly enter the doorway, BEFORE you present potentially stressful scenarios. The time to “fix” your I’m in trouble, I need not be told, ingredients is not when you need them the most. Regardless of all my excuses, Folks frequently shut down, or quit communicating, at the time the horse needs their support the most. Learn what triggers can cause you to become Mama’s hot, and supper is cold. passive in the saddle, and explore options to keep you mentally present My dear Wife, she knows she can trust me, to continue the conversation with your horse. A horse that feels supported No woman could steal me away, will gain confidence, offering soft and willing responses, in turn building the But this sawmill’s a sinister mistress, rider’s confidence. She shares me with day after day. The horse honestly displays his concern, so only critiquing him does not If you like hot tongue and cold shoulder, help. If you offer “Not that, but how about this instead?” or re-direct his And enjoy having evenings of strife, thought and focus to a positive alternative, it can decrease his mental conThen work all those overtime hours, cern. The earlier you redirect his thought, the faster he will physically diffuse And don’t bother calling your wife! tension in his body. How does this all tie together for riding out? Joseph W. Smith Once you have the ingredients, have done your own mental preparations, practiced using quality communication to work through your horse’s bother, you’ve now mixed the ingredients, you are ready to “bake.” Just as with cooking, even with the correct amount of quality ingredients mixed together, if you leave the mixture in the oven too long, it gets burnt or overdone. For green horses and/or insecure riders, this is a frequent occurrence. The idea that “trail riding” needs to be a certain distance, or amount of time, causes people to “over do” or burn out, because it was initially mentally too long for the horse and rider. The first few trail rides, might be to the mailbox at the end of the driveway and back or a hack around half of the property. The horse does not have the ability to decipher between what is a “real” trail ride and that which is not. That comes from the human’s judgment and the horse world’s standard. But who cares about all that? What is the real goal? Increasing you and your horse’s confidence and ability to ride out into the real world and to feel better mentally and emotionally for doing so. Think of it like the competition arena. You don’t arrive at the show without 208.263.6820 practicing, right? So don’t head out on the three hour ride without practicing first on incremental, quality shorter rides. How do you know when you’ve baked your ingredients and you will get 125 Tibbetts Lane Ponderay, ID coopcountrystore.com the desired end result? Your horse will tell you. When the conversation

Hot Tongue and Cold Shoulder

Bedding plants have arrived! Herbs Vegetables Flowers

Our Environment

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Weed of the Month - Leafy Spurge By Chase Youngdahl, Bonner County Weeds Manager

“In like a lion, out like a lamb”…The 2018/2019 winter could not have been more opposite with cold, snowy weather starting in February and persisting in to March after December and January had been a cake walk. With winter finally behind us, it’s full steam ahead for spring and all associated happenings. Noxious weeds are categorized by the size and scope of their infestation level across the landscape; EDRR (Early Detection, Rapid Response), Contain, and Control—small, medium, and large infestations [respectively]. State and county weeds managers look to keep small infestations small with the goal of eradication, which is achievable if treated in the same season the particular weed is detected. Eradication is still possible if an infestation is not detected and treated right away provided it has not had an opportunity to establish much of a seed bank; this is where the split tiers of EDRR come in to play (see Bonner County EDRR noxious weeds list). The state offers grant funds to counties to support their eradication efforts of EDRR noxious weeds—we can utilize these funds to treat what the county lists in the EDRR category for private property owners at no cost to them. A full list of Bonner County’s EDRR noxious weeds can be found under the bullet point “New Invaders” on our website: https://www.bonnercountyid.gov/noxious-weeds. Weed of the month, Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula), is one of the top tier EDRR noxious weeds in Bonner County. It is only confirmed to infest two [small] sites in the entire county, and we have one of those confirmed infestations eradicated at last check with the other being on the verge of eradication. Leafy Spurge is a hardy perennial known for its dangerous milky sap contained in the stems; the sap may cause permanent blindness if it comes in to contact with your eyes. It grows up to 3 feet in height, has narrow alternating leaves and small yellow flowers surrounded by green-ish yellow bracts. There is a non-invasive ornamental version called Myrtle Spurge that has the same appearance with the flowers and bracts as well as a similar overall plant structure, but the leaves are much different. Other ornamental spurges exist as well. Leafy Spurge was inadvertently introduced in to the United States from Europe as a seed impurity. It can be found in many of the northern states and southern Canada in waste areas, pastures, roadsides, CRP grounds and even riparian sites. It tolerates everything from semi-arid climates to several months of flooding conditions, provided the shoots can grow above the water surface. The spread is by seed and roots, although primarily roots—they are as vigorous and extensive as any deep rooted perennial out there. The root system is known to reach depths of 15 feet and store large amounts of nutrient reserves, making it difficult to kill and creating a very problematic, expensive issue if given the opportunity to proliferate a landscape. The only mechanical control method to manage Leafy Spurge is constant cultivation throughout the growing season. The most effective ways to tackle it are either with specific herbicides that persist in the soil (such as aminocyclopyrachlor or picloram) to get to the farthest reaches of the nutrient-rich root system, or with targeted grazing using goats. The stem sap is toxic to cattle and horses, it severely irritates their mouths and digestive tracts, but goats tolerate it. There are several biological control agents approved for use on Leafy Spurge with the most effective one being the Apthona beetle. If in a situation where Leafy Spurge infests a locale on a Contain or Control level (medium or high infestation), the Apthona beetle would be a great tool to incorporate in to a management plan. With it being an EDRR in Bonner County (small infestation level), my preference would be to have my department come treat it with effective, approved herbicides upon a discovery. As touched on, there are ornamental look-alikes, so positive identification is key. Same goes for other Bonner County EDRR noxious weeds—all we need is positive identification and permission to access the property to conduct the treatments using the state Ag dollars. Field season is upon us… ready, set, go!

125 Tibbetts Lane

Ponderay, Idaho

208.263.6820

coopcountrystore@yahoo.com

The Gardener’s Corner

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

BC Gardeners Hold Plant Sale

By Ann Warwick

The Bonner County Gardeners Association Spring Plant Sale is coming soon! The sale will take place in front of the Penney’s entrance to the Bonner Mall on Friday, May 10, from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday, May 11, from 9am to 2pm. Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend by shopping for plants from our members’ gardens. We will have a good selection of tomato varieties and peppers, as well as other vegetable and annual flower plants. One of the real treats of the sale is that members share their perennial flowering plants, some of which are rare, unusual, or hard to find. We’ll also have our annual raffle basket on display, with tickets for sale. The basket is packed with dozens of garden related items. The basket is hand made by a member, and is sturdy and beautiful. A real value. If the weather is too inclement, we will move indoors at the Penney’s Mall Entrance. And don’t forget the annual BCGA Garden Tour, which is scheduled for Sunday, July 7, from 10am to 5pm. Six exciting gardens will be featured on the tour this year. Save the date, and tell your friends. Make a fun day of it and learn some new garden tricks or discover special plants or landscape ideas, or just enjoy the beauty of these gardens and the festive atmosphere of the day. For more information, visit us at bcgardeners.org or our facebook page. WHEN TO PLANT THE SPRING GARDEN May is here, prolific with flowers and all shades of green appearing from the ground to towering tree canopies. Reassuringly, the promise of abundance and new life is once again fulfilled. We turn eager eyes to the garden. The sun is shining, the air is warm today. How do I know when to plant the garden for best results? My father, who was a farmer, would joke, “Watch the neighbors and do what they do.” The neighbors would say, “When it feels right.” Today, we have more scientific clues to guide us. We know that here, we are in climate zones from 3 to 5, depending on where we live--up on a mountain, by the lake, or in a protected area. Slope of land, if any, and the direction of the slope make a big difference. A south facing garden will be ready to plant earlier than a north facing garden. We know that the average last frost in this area is generally from mid May to early June. And we have tools to determine the soil temperature, which is very important for good germination of seeds. Seed packages are often instructive--some say what temperature is best for speedy germination. Others, however, are vague, with instructions such as “plant as soon as ground can be worked.” What does that mean? Does it mean chopping through a layer of ice a few inches under the thawed upper layer? Or digging around in mucky clay? Please wait a bit when those conditions occur. Working soil too soon can lead to compaction. Sandy soil dries out sooner, and heats up faster, too, as it drains rapidly and allows more air penetration. Some plants germinate at fairly cool temperatures, such as lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, and carrots, but they will germinate much faster with a warmer soil temperature. A good investment is a soil thermometer, which is inserted into the top two or three inches of soil for a reading. And patience is your friend. We have spring weather that varies from really warm days to a week or more at 45 degrees and rain or snow. Waiting a bit later improves the chances of a good start for most plants. Most of the above plants are somewhat frost hardy, and can take several cold nights, but they prefer not to freeze every night. Warm season crops are best started inside, under warm conditions, or purchased from a nursery. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, squash, cucumbers, melons all require consistent warmth to germinate. Waiting even a bit longer to plant them out is a good idea, and to keep them from going into shock or slowing down, one needs to “harden” them off. Take the young plants outdoors for a short period each day to accustom them to the wind and strong sunshine. Gradually, over a week or 10 days, lengthen the time outside until they are ready for the real world. Plant these plants when the soil temperature is quite warm, and plant them during the morning or evening when the sun is not beating directly on them. You don’t want them to wilt. Be prepared for a cold night by having some row cover fabric available to keep them warm. Step back and admire the newly planted garden, and prepare for the bounty to come.

Market Madness—31 Years and Counting by Emma Stanford

With the Farmers’ Market at Sandpoint celebrating its 31st year this season, the idea of local produce, dairy delectables, freshly baked breads, and fine craft sundries is no new concept. As first day of Market (May 4th!) creeps closer, the last remains of snow melt from the shady patches of our yards or acreage. Many of us are thinking of the heritage tomato starts, seed potatoes, crisp bunches of spinach, and bright floral blooms we’ll find at Market to bring home mark the true beginning of the long-awaited growing season. But how many of us are thinking about the bigger picture—why our farmers’ market is important to our community, how it benefits our local economy, and why we choose to buy from the Market? Farmers’ Markets aren’t just a place to buy high quality farm products or quality craft items—they are a community hub. With live music, special events, weekly or monthly educational opportunities for kids and adults alike, farmers’ markets (and ours is no exception) offer a way to plug in to our community, including both the rural and urban aspects. Through farmers’ markets we learn about local agriculture, small-scale yet successful farms, teach our kids the importance of eating their veggies, and perhaps run into a friend we haven’t seen for way too long. While you are buying that bag of spicy arugula, purchasing a mouth-watering scone, or treating yourself to that perfectly shaped ceramic mug, you

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Have youever wondered how all those Full Moons get their names? Wolf Moon? Harvest Moon? Full PINK Moon?? Full Moon names date back to Native Americans of North America. Tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Full Moon names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the full Moon names, but in general, the same ones were consistent among regional tribes. European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Farmers Almanac

Starting May 4th

Always Fresh, Always Local Saturdays, 9am-1pm Wednesdays, 3pm-5:30pm Downtown Sandpoint — Farmin Park @ 3rd & Oak sandpointfarmersmarket.com

are actively supporting a local entrepreneur. The benefits of “buying local” have received quite a bit of press in recent years, and for good reason. We can actively see the advantages of buying locally—it creates local jobs, supports Idaho farmers, Idaho producers, and Idaho workers. It keeps your money in-state and helps helps sustain healthy rural economies. To further quantify this, the Farmers’ Market at Sandpoint will be conducting a Rapid Market Assessment in the near future, and these findings will be available to the public when they are complete. When we choose to buy from a farmers’ market, we also directly benefit from knowing exactly who grew our food and where. We know that the food we are purchasing is non-GMO, and we have the ability to ask the farmer about their preferred growing methods—(for example, no-till, pesticide-free, heritage versus hybrid, etc.). The products we’re purchasing didn’t travel across several states in a semi-truck, clogging up traffic lanes, and loosing freshness by the hour. Indeed, as our own Market has a requirement that all vendors reside within a 100-mile radius, we can take pride in the fact that the products offered are grown or made close-by, ensuring that our purchase will be fresh and support the health of our rural economy. The advent of May 4th—First Day of Market—provides us the opportunity to experience all the facets mentioned above. Sandpoint’s Mayor will help us kick things off, Ben and Cadie of Harold’s IGA will be playing live on stage, Bollywood Dancers will make an appearance, and we’ll host our usual Maypole festivities with the Waldorf School. Other special events coming up include (but are certainly not limited to) Customer Appreciation Day (June 8), our 31st Anniversary Party (July 13), Kids’ Day (August 17—applications available at the end of April), and Harvest Fest (October 12). Don’t forget— Markets are on both Saturdays (9am to 1pm) and Wednesdays (3-5:30pm) through the middle of October. And for any of you interested in selling at the Market—it’s not too late to apply! Find the application and much more on our website, sandpointfarmersmarket.com. Keep abreast of Market news by following us on Facebook. Happy 2019 Season to you!

Our Changing World

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Spring/Summer 2019 Extension Classes Please call to register for any of these classes. 208.267.3235 Scholarships are available. Classes take place at the Boundary County Extension meeting room unless noted otherwise.

Healthy Diabetes Plate Series, FREE Fridays, May 3-24, 1:00-2:30pm This 4-session class is designed for individuals with type 2 diabetes and the people who plan their meals. This class will use various methods to teach the types and amounts of foods that should be consumed using the diabetes meal plan. Although this class is geared primarily for individuals with type 2 diabetes, it’s a healthy way for all family members to eat. You don’t have to be a certain age or be diagnosed with diabetes to benefit from the Healthy Diabetes Plate approach to meal planning. Cultivating Mushrooms in Your Home Garden, $5 Tuesday, June 11, 1:00-4:00pm In this class, you will learn to grow two types of mushrooms: Oyster (Pleurotus) mushrooms and Garden Giant aka King Stropharia (Stropharia rugoso-annulata). Both of these are great tasting edible mushrooms. Garden Giant provides synergistic benefits to the soil, helping break down organic matter and making nutrients available to plants. You will receive enough chips inoculated with Garden Giant spawn to create your own small mushroom bed. Class size is limited, so call to register to reserve your spot.

Classes being offered in Bonner County

Call the Bonner County Office to register, 208-263-8511. Cooking Under Pressure, $10 Thursday, May 23, 11:00am-1:00pm Have an electric pressure cooker or thinking about buying one? Come join us to learn how to make quick and easy meals for your family. Don’t forget your apron because in this hands-on class we will make lemon butter chicken, brown rice, and New York cheesecake. We will also be comparing various brands of electric pressure cookers and seeing how each one operates in order to help you decide which type of electric pressure cooker best meets your needs. Class size limited to 12 people. Check our website for current classes and our newsletter: https://www. uidaho.edu/extension/county/boundary For all things ag, check our blog: BoundaryAgBlog.wordpress.com

Create a Simple Website for Your Farm or Business, $5 Wednesday, June 19, 1:00-3:30pm A web presence is practically an essential part of doing business in today’s world. Your customers will be able to find your business and contact you from a web search. In this class, you will learn the basics of creating a website. This is a hands-on class; participants are encouraged to bring a laptop.

Bonner County Farm Tour Information - What to know before you go!

McKerracher Family Farm - www.mckerracherfamilyfarm.com

Kerry & Julie McKerracher’s farm is located halfway between Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Sandpoint, Idaho. Their desire is to provide their neighbors with the healthiest, most delicious food, grown from fabulous, earthworm-friendly soil, using organic and regenerative methods. Due to this the robust, vigorous chickens provide the highest level of nutrition with unparalleled flavor. The fruit and veggies are fresh, with no chemicals and delicious.

Cocolalla Creek Sport Horses - www.ccsporthorses.com Since 1995 Marion Dresel O’Connor has operated a successful breeding program which has earned her the title of USDF Sporthorse Breeder of the Year 3 times. With her riding skills progressing to Grand Prix level the focus shifted more to training and developing horses, especially for the amateur market. In addition to a full selection of amateur friendly and affordable sale horses, Marion offers customized instruction at the farm or day/weekend clinics at outside facilities. The breeding program offers quality frozen semen from the CCSH stallions, a few select foals every year from outstanding dam lines and customized embryo transfer program from elite performance mares. Delay Farms Inc.— www.delay-farms-inc.business.site

The first Idaho State Forestry Contest was held in 1983 at Delay Tree Farms in Careywood, Idaho and still continues every year to encourage the education of youth about responsible Idaho forest management and career opportunities that are available to them in Forestry. The contest has joint sponsors including Idaho Department of Lands, Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District, Panhandle Lakes Resource Conservation and Idaho Panhandle National Forest. For this year’s Farm Tour, participants will get to see where this yearly contest is held and witness some active logging operations occurring on Delay Farms Inc.

Triple T Nursery - www.tripletnursery.wordpress.com

Tripe T Nursery grows several popular species of trees including Grand Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, Frasier Fir, and even some Cork Bark Fir. Trees are mainly grown for the purpose of wholesale Christmas trees but we do offer ‘Choose and Cut’ Christmas tree sales during the holiday season. November is the busiest time of year with harvest as most wholesalers want their trees before Thanksgiving, but before then, there’s a lot of planning, pruning, weed and insect management. For this year’s Farm Tour, participants will get to see some pruning demonstrations of the Grand Firs. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, those requesting reasonable accommodations need to contact Jennifer Jensen (208-263-8511) at least one week prior to this program.

UI Extension—Bonner County, 4205 N. Boyer, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 FOR INFORMATION CALL 208-263-8511 OR email bgeiger@uidaho.edu

Tour Stops:

Name: Address: E-Mail: Phone: Number of people: @ $30.00 = $ Make Check Payable to: BONNER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & FORESTRY COMMITTEE (BCAFC) Send or drop off:

Registration begins at 8am. Buses leave at 9am sharp. Buses return by 5pm.

2019 Bonner County Farm Tour Pre-registration $30 per person / $35.00 after June 3, 2019 (Sorry, refunds not available) Fees include lunch, transportation, and refreshments

2019 Bonner County Farm Tour Thursday, June 13, 2019

Your Health

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Magic, Hope, and Cancer Why Was This Morning So Magical Gabrielle Duebendorfer, ND

inspiration to many people to the very end. However, when the final stage arrived, she and her family were utterly unprepared for death. Perhaps we shouldn’t call this “false” hope, even if the orientation was to a particular outcome, i.e. remission! It allowed her to focus on life amidst a lot of suffering and upheaval until just a few weeks before her death. Let’s consider the other kind of hope, however. Frank Ostaseski says, it is a quality, a capacity of Being rather than a strategy towards a particular outcome, where we have a deep trust that we can meet every moment, to surrender to every challenge as it comes. This capacity arises out of being in continuous contact with what is – right now. This definition of hope relies more on an intimate, open quality of Being that refuses to quit. A kind of hope that is more a dynamic living process interdependent with all of life, that leads to great resourcefulness and joy. I think it was this that called to me this morning - the intimacy that arises out of being really present. This is much easier when we are in a situation that provokes that, such the stirring of spring in the air, an accident, a loss of a loved one, falling in love. But really it doesn’t have to be the extraordinary; it can be simply the mundane of daily life. In one of my iRest meditation classes a student surprised me – and I think herself. She explained that the practice of body-sensing and simply Being with things as they are, allowed her to surrender to and actually feel strong rage and resulting sadness instead of constantly strategizing to get rid of it. She was delighted to discover that these emotions went and came like a wave if she stayed with them, eventually resolving into a state of ease. Rage and sadness didn’t disappear but she didn’t identify with it anymore and therefore it began to control her less. The hope here is the realization that one can meet whatever arises in the moment. And with that comes a sense of intimacy, joy, buoyancy, of real hope. I close with the ending of Rumi’s poem of the same name:

It started with a crispy cold but brilliantly sunny morning. Something stirred deep within me. Somehow I saw beauty everywhere as I was sitting in my meditation corner: the sparkles shining on the dripping icicle; the warm sunlight illuminating the wooden walls; the silence in the house; all the familiar objects stirring old memories of connections. Somehow all these objects filled with tender memories created a safe holding container within which I simply relished. So what made this day different from any other? The objects in the house, the trees surrounding my house have stood watch for a long time; my skiing excursion routine had not changed. And yet the whole forest was lit with magic as I worked myself up the mountain, towards frost-tinged treetops higher up. I stood there for a while just listening to the wind gently rustling the treetops, soaking up the warmth of the sun, relishing the song of some chickadees and the lazy hum of an airplane. The sun painted the bark of the big pines in such warm browns that I literally smelled the vanilla/cinnamon flavor they exude when you stick your nose right into the bark. It was spring that was stirring deep within me as it was in nature around me – a sense of joy and hope for summer to come, of hikes to take, and warm lakes to swim in. This did not distract me from being present in the still wintery landscape. To the contrary, it made me even more open and receptive to all the beauty surrounding me. It filled me with the plain joy of being alive to witness the change of seasons; the trust that regardless of the circumstance I can tap into the even deeper sense of wonder and mystery that is always present – in fact that it will call to me from the beyond as long Why should we grieve that we have been sleeping? as I listen and am available. It does not matter how long we have been unconscious. And herein lies the key for hope. Sometimes that calling from the beyond We are groggy, but let the guilt go. is stronger than others and to be treasured. Other times it is subtler and Feel the motions of tenderness around you. requires a present centeredness to be heard. Might you consider for a moThe buoyancy. ment the times when you have felt intense joy, or maybe more gentle contentment, or just basic okness. What is the common denominator to these situations? In all likelihood it is a sense of fully being present, open and Gabrielle Duebendorfer has practiced for 25 connected to the environment inside and around you – a sense of intimacy. years as a naturopathic physician with a foThis might just be another definition of hope. Not the kind of hope that cus on weaving meditation-based inquiry into anticipates a future good; not the kind of hope that, like my teacher Frank managing chronic disease naturopathically. Ostaseski descibes, consists of wishful thinking, a childlike belief for some While supporting the body with herbs, nutriexternal delivery of some desired result. This latter false hope is the flip tional supplements, hormonal balancing and side of fear disguised as an expectation fixed on an outcome. It rejects the bio-therapeutic drainage, she assists patients here and now and causes great pain and suffering when the outcome is not to recognize and untangle obstacles that tend achieved – hope destroyed. to surface while facing chronic illness, develI see this kind of hope a lot in my patients with chronic disease, especially op inner resources, and discover meaning and purpose. As a certified iRest instructor, those with advanced cancer that is in remission. There is currently a moveshe teaches patients mindfulness tools to ment that fosters great hope that as long as you do the right things you will better meet and manage these challenges. stay or go into permanent permission. While this can lead to very valuable Her other passion is to advocate for climate life style changes in diet, exercise, stress management, attitude, mental/ change action so that her grandkids and paemotional inquiry etc, it tends to be quite crushing when the cancer does tients will have a future in a healthy environment. The next iRest class will return. This kind of hope can give a false hope of being in control of our life start May 20th. 208-265-2213 and keeps people from preparing for death when it comes. One of my patients, a pharmacist, was so convinced of being in control that she researched seemingly every single supplement and herb on the planet that could be helpful. I actually learned a lot of new facts from her. However, it was extremely difficult to convey that doing everything right doesn’t guarantee survival. We rarely found even a little moment to just be present as there always was a new item to discuss and consider. When the cancer returned she did not chose to continue care. Often then, shame for having failed prevents patients from continuing relationships that were focused on healYour Healthcare Home ing regardless of outcome. Medical · Dental · Behavioral Health · Pediatrics · VA On the other hand, one young woman was very empowered by this kind (208) 263-7101 of hopeful hope. The first cancer re Addictions  Social skills  Men’s issues currence was crushing but she went  Eating disorders  Family, Individual & Groups  Women’s issues right back on track, focusing on living  Marriage counseling  Teens  Trauma and resolutely refusing to look at the potential of death. Her quality of life was excellent, having cleaned up her We accept Medicaid, Medicare & most insurances. No insurance? No problem. A low-cost sliding-scale fee diet as well as long time stressors structure is available for those meeting income guidelines. 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Agriculture & Education

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Why the FFA Program in Our Schools Makes Sense - The Top 10 Reasons 1. Leadership Skills: Public speaking, group projects, running for office etc. 2. Knowledge of Agriculture: How tractors run, the proper way to handle machinery and animals. 3. Healthy Living: Students learn about food and where it comes from, how to keep it safe and remain environmentally friendly. 4. Confidence: FFA is a chance to meet people, complete projects and enter contests. 5. Good Sportsmanship: Students learn about competition, stock shows, skill tests, and speaking competitions. 6. Work Ethic: FFA includes a wide variety of projects including time management and hard work. 7. Community Service: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” is the FFA way. 8. Life long Friendships: Working together on projects and prob lem solving creates an environment of close investment in others. 9. Scholarship Opportunities: Life doesn’t stop with High School and neither does FFA educational influence 10. Other Important Skills: Entomology, Communication, Horticulture, Food quality inspections, as well as Economic and Business Development FFA, Future Farmers of America, is the perfect blend between agricultural pursuits and environmental responsibility, between social development and working to meet the greater needs of education and food production. It is active in the political arena and offers the opportunity for youth to become a farmer with a voice in Bonner County, the state of Idaho, and beyond. The opportunity to reestablish the FFA program back into our youth education sphere is a chance to open doors that may otherwise not be considered for both young men and women. For more information on the history of FFA how the program can impact the youth in our community visit the FFA website at www.ffa.org.

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Home and Hearth

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Recipes...

Spring is here and all we seem to want to do is get outside and stay there! For those of us who would rather play in the dirt than play in the kitchen, here are a couple of great breakfast recipes designed to be easy and get you and your family out the door in the morning and still have a good breakfast. These come from Dinner with Hazel, by Hazel Haynes, a local writer who now lives in Boise. One of Hazelâ€™s great loves has been to entertain friends and family in her home. And she often pointed out that the easier the food was to prepare, the more time there was for enjoying her company. That sounds like a win win. Enjoy!

Farmers Breakfast Casserole 3 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1 cup ham, fully cooked and diced 1/4 cup chopped green onions 4 large eggs, beaten 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk 1/4 Tsp. fresh ground black pepper 1 Tsp. sea salt Directions: Spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the potatoes evenly in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with cheese, ham, and green onions. In a medium bowl combine eggs, milk, pepper and salt. Pour egg mixture over potato/ cheese mixture in baking dish. (You may cover and refrigerate overnight.) Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or longer if made ahead and chilled, until the center is set. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with Cheddar Drop Biscuits. (See below)

Cheddar Drop Biscuits 2 -1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup packed, grated sharp cheddar cheese 2 Tb. sugar 1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled 1 Tb. Baking powder 1 -1/4 cup milk or buttermilk 3/4 teasp. cream of tarter 1 large egg 1/2 teasp. salt 7 Tb. chilled butter cut in 1/2 inch pieces. Directions: Pre heat oven to 400 degrees Spray a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Whisk first 5 ingredients in a large bowl and blend well. Add butter combine with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add both cheeses, combine again with pastry blender. Whisk milk and egg in small bowl. Add to flour mixture just stirring to get the dough evenly moistened. Drop about 1/3 cup of dough for each biscuit about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake about 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown and inserted tester comes out clean. Serve warm, preferable with the Farmers Casserole above. These can be quickly made while the casserole is baking. And kids love to help with all the preparation.

The Great Outdoors

The CO-OP Country Round Up

May / June 2019

Forestry Courses Being Offered

Volume 19 Issue 4

PACIFIC NORTHWEST FJORD PROMOTIONAL GROUP

The University of Idaho and the Associated Logging Contractors are working together to provide an educational program for timber owners here in Idaho. Preregistration is suggested. Find below some of the classes offered.

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Forestry Short Course : June 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17, and 24 2019. UI Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center This is limited to 25 people 10881 North Boyer Road, Sandpoint 9 am - 12 pm $38.00 registration fee For more information call 208.263.8511 This class provides a better understanding of what exactly makes our forest “tick” and how to better manage it. Thinning and Pruning Field Day: Saturday June 22, 2019 UI Sandpoint Organic Ag Center 10881 North Boyer Road 9 am - 5 Pm $20 registration fee. Measuring Your Trees: Saturday July 13, 2019 UI Sandpoint Organic Ag Center 10881 North Boyer Road 8 am. - 5 pm $20.00 registration fee

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These classes are valuable to those who have forest land and wish to know more about how to care for it. From identifying the trees on our property and understanding how they grow and work together, to understanding how pruning works and why it is beneficial. Good forestry decisions require good forest information. Forest owners can benefit from a basic understanding of how trees are measured. This can help them manage growth better by collecting data over time. This can help with determining when harvest is needed and how the harvest should be done such as what trees need to come out and when. For more information on the classes above call the U of I Extension Office in Sandpoint, Idaho at 208.263.8511.

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Farm & Family

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Agricultural Land At Risk in Bonner County

To drive through Bonner and Boundary counties is to experience all that is beautiful about north Idaho. The lakes, rivers, creeks and open land are all part of what makes people want to come here, and usually, want to stay. But every person who chooses to stay must have a place to live. New homes are being built every year and every year the value and price of those houses and the land they are built on increases. As the old saying goes, “God isn’t making any more land.” And this is putting pressure on the easiest land there is to develop: open farm land. According to the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2013, of Bonner County’s 1,112,109 total acres of land about 65,000 acres is classified as prime agricultural land. It is scattered throughout the county but mostly is made up of forest land. As of 2007 Bonner County ag related sales were about $7.5 million and included nursery products, animal products, milk and dairy, and field crops. Most indicators of ag activity in Bonner County point to a decline. However the number of farms actually increased by 44% between 1997 and 2002. Small acreage farming is increasing in Bonner County as it is throughout the United States. It is believed this is being driven by the “back to the land” movement and the desire for better quality food. The potential for small farms to positively impact the local food system is important and the comprehensive plan indicates a desire to help these small farms flourish. As the population of the county continues to rise “there will be a greater need to protect the remaining amount of prime agricultural land.” This land is currently being lost to non-farm development - housing. And even the existing farms suffer pressure from non-farm residents new to the area who wish to see the farms closed. The very thing we all love about this place is the very thing being lost to development.

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Economics

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

When Will Interest Rates Go Up? by Judy Baird, AVP Branch Manager Mountain West Bank

Spring has finally sprung and the Easter egg hunts have come and gone. Small children enthusiastically searched for hidden eggs, delighting in filling baskets with those multicolored treasures. Adults seem to be on the hunt as well, shopping for the best interest rate possible for their savings. It’s no myth. Double-digit CD yields once existed. Decades ago (1984, for example), average CD yields exceeded 10 percent APY. You won’t find a return anywhere close to that today. In fact, the average 1-year CD pays just 0.4 percent, according to Bankrate’s most recent national survey of banks and thrifts. The downside to high CD rates? That’s an indication that inflation is hig as well, and your savings aren’t as valuable as you think. Changes in interest rates can affect recessions or inflation. Inflation is what happens when the price of goods and services rise. These increases typically take place when we experience a healthy growing economy. According to a recent article written by Michael Armon, Financial Advisor with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, the Federal Reserve Board will increase interest rates when inflation gets to a point that is no longer healthy. When interest rates go up, money is more expensive to borrow, so spending slows down. This causes inflation to drop. Contrary, in a recession, the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates so borrowing money becomes less expensive, spending goes up, and the economy begins to take off again. Interest rates also affect how much people and businesses will spend. Higher interest rates, according to Armon, mean less spending, which in turn can cause a company’s stock price to fall due to lower earnings, and lower interest rates will generally cause stock prices to rise. Interest rates aren’t just about how much one can earn on his or her savings accounts. Interest rates also impact purchase decisions that come into play when purchasing a home or buying a car. Lower interest rates typically mean a lower monthly payment so a borrower may be more inclined to spend more for that house or car. A note about the Federal Reserve. The three main functions of the Fed are to conduct the nation’s monetary policy, provide and maintain an effective and efficient payments system, and supervise and regulate banking operations. The Federal Reserve board is in charge of watching economic indicators and adjusting the nation’s interest rates accordingly. The Fed also handles financial transactions for the government. It receives deposits from taxes, makes payments for government debt, completes wire transfers, and The murphy bed you don’t install much more. It also supervises and regulates banks, loans banks money, and sets reserve requirements. When a financial institution needs to raise funds, they are able to borrow funds The murphy bed you don’t install from the Federal Reserve. These funds are overnight loans member banks use to meet the reserve requirement at the end of each day. The interest rate charged for this loan is generally a little higher than Federal Funds Rate. The Federal Reserve can also lower interest rates that banks use to borrow money from the Fed, making it cheaper for banks to lend. This is referred to as the Discount Rate—the interest rate that an eligible depository institution is charged to borrow short-term funds directly from the Federal Reserve Bank. The rate changes daily and affects all other loan rates which is why it is used as an indication to show rising and falling interest rates. A higher fed funds rate means banks dens, dorms, cabins, are less able to borrow money to keep their CHOOSE reserves at the mandated level. As a result, anywhere. ANYWHEREor YOU NEED A BED FROM 6 they lend less money out. The money they PERFECT FOR THE OFFICE, DENS, DORMS, do lend will be at a higher rate. The federGREAT CABINS, OR ANYWHERE. al funds rate also determines the return for FINISHES investments like U. S. Treasury bonds and dorms, YOURdens, CHOICE! ... cabins, Certificates of Deposits (CDs). Bottom line, when the federal funds rate or anywhere. • More affordable than a Murphy Bed. is low and banks are able to borrow at a low • No installation. Ready to use. interest rate, there isn’t much sense for a • Versatile styling for any room. financial institution to pay high interest rates on deposit accounts to gain funds to meet or maintain their reserve. Interest rates will continue rising in 2019 but will rise at different speeds and rely on different benchmarks. Short term rates for savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and credit cards follow the fed funds rate. Long-term rates, such as 15-year and 30year fixed rate mortgages, typically follow the 10-year Treasury yield. 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Living With Nature

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019

Understanding and Managing Bees by Kim Knerl

Volume 19 Issue 4

In this region, queen trapping should begin around April. Several weeks my pass with nothing going in the traps, but the first yellowjackets being captured will almost always be queens. Multiple traps should be placed around the exterior of homes, away from the structure and human activity. Traps should be re-baited according to manufacturer’s recommendations. On a side note, many people talk about bald-faced hornets. This is a misidentification, as they are not true hornets. They are a species of yellowjacket. True hornets do not exist in this region.

One of the most important issues before any type of pest management is proper identification. It’s critical to positively know the organism you are dealing with in order to choose the best management practices to reduce or eliminate pest problems. Typically, any flying, stinging insect is called a bee by most, so I start with dividing that common name into honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and wasps (primarily paper wasps). I emphasize that all these insects Editor’s Note: This article ran in January 2019. We were asked to run it are beneficial. You can also divide this group into two parts, pollinators and again. Although it is getting late the bees are just now beginning to come out non-pollinators. so there may still be time to take advantage of this information. The pollinators include honey bees, bumble bees, mason bees, leaf-cutter bees, etc. Generally they should never be destroyed, as they provide great benefits to crops, gardens and such. Occasionally they may nest in a Charitable donation tax receipts provided to Donors. location that could be disruptive to human activities, but every effort should be taken to see that they survive. Non-pollinators would include the various wasp species, including yellowjackets. Although there are many different species, for the purpose of pest management, you can divide this group into predators and scavengers. Predators generally forage for live prey (other insects or spiders). Scavengers are the species that most often cause problems around human activities, as they forage for meat-type proteins (animal flesh). All paper wasps species are predators, while yellowjacket species are divided between predator and scavenger. For the purpose of pest manage• Tools • Cabinets • Plumbing ment, the scavenger species is where control efforts need to be concentrated. • Doors • Windows • Appliances With all the various types of wasps/yellowjackets, most all of the proteins • Flooring • Furniture • Light Fixtures gathered by the insects are fed to the developing larvae in the nest, whether it be live insects or animal flesh. Generally, adult yellowjackets and other wasps survive by consuming carbohydrates from plants, sweet liquids, etc. Most warehouse items $1 per pound (Thursdays Only) In this region, yellowjackets and wasps have annual nests, meaning that new nest are initiated each spring and all existing nests die off as cold weather approaches in the fall. Old nests are never reused. Prior to the dieOpen Wednesday - Saturday off, nests produce males and queens. These queens will mate and the ones that survive the winter will establish nests the following spring. Nests of yellowjackets and paper wasps are constructed using wood/ plant fibers mixed with the insect’s saliva to make a paper pulp. Queens that To schedule a donation pick-up call emerge from their overwintering sites seek a suitable location and they are responsible for nest construction and feeding the first group of developing larvae until populations of workers are produced, at which time, workers take over all nest building and larvae responsibilities. 1519 Baldy Park Rd. Sandpoint, ID 83864 The best time to attempt to manage yellowjacket populations is during the period where the queen has emerged in the spring and is establishing a new nest. During that time frame she is responsible for feeding herself and the first group of developing larvae so she will leave the nest in search of food sources. Trapping in early spring can capture some of these queens and possibly eliminate thousands of yellowjackets throughout the summer months. There are many different commercially made traps available, the most common being a reusable hard plastic device manufactured by Rescue. This trap comes with a liquid attractant (heptyl butyrate) which simulates a protein food source. The attractant is not a poison or a pheromone. It is a food grade chemical. This material remains attractive to scavenger species of yellowjackets for several weeks. Heptyl butyrate traps will only work with scavenger species of yellowjackets and not with paper wasps or predator yellowjackets. However, it is the scavenger species that create the most pest problems associated with human activity.

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The Lighter Side

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

Just for fun....

How do you know you are a Master Gardener? There is a decorative compost container on your kitchen counter. You would rather go to a nursery to shop than a clothing store. You prefer gardening to watching television. You plan vacation trips to arboretums and public parks. Dirt under your finger nails is a metter of pride. *************************************************************************** A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn. The farmer who lived nearby heard the noise and yelled over to the boy, “Hey Willis, forget your troubles. Come in and visit with us. I’ll help you get the wagon up later.” “That’s mighty nice of you,” Willis answered, “But I don’t think Pa would like me to.” “Aw come on boy,” the farmer insisted. “Well okay,” the boy finally agreed, and added, “But Pa won’t like it.” After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. “I feel a lot better now, but I know Pa is going to be real upset.” “Don’t be foolish!” the neighbor said with a smile. “By the way, where is he?” “Under the wagon.” ***************************************************************************

TOP 10 REASONS FARM TRUCKS AREN’T STOLEN: #10 They have about 20 miles before they overheat, breakdown or run out of gas. #9 Only the owner knows how to operate the door to get in or out. #8 It is difficult to drive fast with all the fence tools, grease rags, ropes, chains, syringes, buckets, boots and loose papers in the cab. #7 It takes too long to start, and the smoke coming up through the rusted -out floorboard clouds your vision. #6 The Border Collie on the toolbox looks mean. #5 They’re too easy to spot. The description might go something like this: The driver’s side door is red, the passenger side door is green, the right front fender is yellow, etc. #4 The large round bale in the back makes it hard to see if you’re being chased. You could use the mirrors if they weren’t cracked and covered with duct tape. #3 Top speed is approximately 45 mph. #2 Who wants to steal a truck that needs a year’s worth of maintenance, u- joints, $3,000 in body work, taillights and windshield? #1 It is hard to commit a crime with everyone waving at you.

************************************** ***************************** A Ripe Moment A small boy was looking at the red ripe tomatoes growing in the farmer’s garden.

“I’ll give you my two pennies for that tomato,” said the boy pointing to a beautiful, large, ripe fruit hanging on the vine. “No,” said the farmer, “I get a dime for a tomato like that one.” The small boy pointed to a smaller green one, “Will you take two pennies for that one?” “Yes,” replied the farmer, “I’ll give you that one for two cents.”

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Our History

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019 Volume 19 Issue 4

How A Honeymoon Can Change Your Life by Sandy Compton

Earl Clayton arrived at Cabinet, Idaho — 32 miles east of Sandpoint on the south side of the Clark Fork River — on August 19, 1916. Cabinet began as the “front” during construction of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1883. When Grandpa got off the NP 33 years later, the country was somewhat tamed, but only somewhat. Wagon roads ran on both sides of the river. A great deal of timber had been taken out of the country before the world between Sandpoint and Missoula burned up in 1910. Cabinet was a busy timber town until the inventory went up in smoke. He was traveling on a Homeseeker’s ticket, free passage for anyone who would look at land the NP was selling. A bonus for buying a quarter-section “lot” was another free trip, this one for family, lock, stock and barrel to the destination nearest the chosen “promised land.” Moving from highly civilized Kansas to still-wild western Montana was a choice that I believe grew directly out of an adventure my maternal grandparents had in the summer of the 1910 fire. For their wedding trip, they traveled to Yellowstone National Park. The trip through the Grand Tetons and the Park was accomplished with a borrowed team and buckboard, and exposed the two prairie dwellers to wonders they had never seen before. Like many a Midwestern person before and since, they fell in love with the West. Kansas did not treat them well in the first six years of their marriage. As “sharecroppers,” they struggled to get by. The lure of a place of their own in that same West for $7.50 an acre and no down payment— even at usurious terms of 6% interest — led Grandpa to get on that train in August of 1916. He arrived in Cabinet after a night in Butte watching miners at play. He made no comment about that town’s morality, but deemed it too noisy for his taste. He crossed the Clark Fork on a suspension foot bridge and walked east out of Idaho back into Montana. There, he stayed with folks who had homesteaded on the second bench above the river. The next day, he wrote in his journal, “Looked over land for sale. Took a walk up the Blue Creek Canyon.” Grandpa wrote dates of his entries in the left margin of his journal, and beside that entry, he mistakenly wrote “Aug. 19.” Whatever the reason, the next day, he caught the train and traveled on to Sandpoint, Coeur d’ Alene and Rose Lake on the Coeur d’ Alene River. He also subsequently wrote every date wrong until he got back to Kansas two weeks later. When he discovered his mistake, he crossed out each wrong date with a single line and wrote in the correct one. I wonder if he was a day late getting home. I wonder how he felt when he realized his mistake. Was he embarrassed? Amused? Or was he mystified? Where had that day gone? I believe he lost it up the Blue Creek canyon. The farmable part of the quarter section — on the bench above the river — had been burned over by the 1910 fire. The portion of the canyon included in what they would eventually purchase — from near where the East and West forks of Blue Creek come together downstream to its confluence with the Clark Fork — had been spared. I doubt that he could forget the place; so foreign to his experience, so unlike Kansas. So absolutely beautiful. Golden riffles braided through dark stands of cedar, cottonwood, grand fir, hemlock and white pine; pools of blue-green water stood over live rock; jackstraw piles of trees torn whole by spring floods from the canyon upstream piled above holes full of cutthroat and char; dewberries and huckleberries grew there and sweet, dusky black caps hung from arching, thorny vines; bear tracks led through the woods; and an odd singing silence lay over it all. It intrigues me, that lost day. It is a day that set the tone for the rest of Grandpa’s life, and for all of my mother’s and much of my father’s and all of my brothers’ and sister’s and mine. It led to his choice of the place to which he brought his family out of Kansas. Of all the places he saw on his trip to the West, he chose a spot where time stood still. The NP unhitched the boxcar containing the livestock and household belongings of MariEarl and Mariam Clayton visit the Lone Star Geyser in Yellowstone am and Earl Clayton on Park on the trip that led them to fall in love with the West. the siding at Cabinet some seven months after that lost day — St. Patrick’s day of 1917. Grandma was three months pregnant. My oldest uncle was almost six, with a little sister and a little brother. Back in Kansas, sharecroppers were beginning to plow the fields. Along

Clark Fork river, there was three feet of snow on the ground. Surprised? I’m sure they were. But they found helpful neighbors and persevered. The Blue C Ranch, as Grandma and Grandpa named it, still exists. Grandchildren and great grandchildren still own and live on it 102 years later, though the canyon Grandpa fell in love with in August of 1916 is now flooded. Still, for some 34 years, until Cabinet Gorge Dam was begun in 1951, they owned a spot on the planet where time was stopped. My grandparents took lessons from the canyon, I think. They chose to live a slower life than much of the world. Grandma never learned to drive. Grandpa never had a hand-held power tool that I can recall. But they got a lifetime of work and play done on that place. And still had days to lose on many a walk up the Blue Creek Canyon. Earl and Mariam Clayton with the borrowed team and buckboard that would carry them through Yellowstone Park.

Mariam Clayton captured the adventure of their honeymoon to Yellowstone Park in 1910 in a journal she entitled, modestly, “Camping in Wyoming.” It has been published by Blue Creek Press. It’s available at Vanderford’s in Sandpoint or online at www.bluecreek press.com/books The Value of a dollar: The $7.50 per acre that Sandy Compton’s family spent to secure their piece of Heaven on the Clark Fork River is still inexpensive by todays standards. Adjusting for inflation the value of a 1916 dollar in todays economy: $24.39 That would make the price of each acre $185.00 today, a value virtually unheard of for most of the country these days.

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Real Estate and You

The CO-OP Country Round Up May / June 2019

Volume 19 Issue 4

First Quarter 2019, North Idaho’s Housing Market Continues to Tighten Jim Haynes, Associate Broker, Realm Partners

The North Idaho housing market continues to tighten. Currently there are 16% less active residential listings in the Multiple Listing Service than there were at this time last year and 26% less than two years ago. Despite the lack of inventory the number of homes sold increased slightly for Bonner and Kootenai Counties by 1% and 2.4% respectively over the last three quarters compared to the same three quarters a year earlier. For the same time period Boundary County’s sales increased 32.5%. However, a closer look at the data reveals a troubling trend. Below is a table of the number of homes sold in the three northern counties by quarter for the last three quarters and a comparison of those sales numbers with the corresponding quarter one year earlier. 3rd Qtr 2018

% change from 3rd

4th Qtr 2018

% change from 4th

1st Qtr 2019

% change from 1st

Units Sold

Quarter 2017

Units Sold

Quarter 2017

Units Sold

Quarter 2018

Kootenai County

1435

12.5%

1047

-4.0%

761

-4.9%

Bonner County

309

-5.5%

288

17.6%

136

-11.7%

8.9%

115.6%

-5.7%

Boundary County

Source: Coeur d’Alene MLS and the Selkirk MLS, information deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Numbers are compared for each quarter to the corresponding quarter one year earlier to remove seasonal variation inherent in the market. Note that for the first quarter of 2019 all three northern Idaho counties experienced a significant year-of-year decrease in the number of homes sold signaling that the supply of homes is not meeting demand. Compare that with the following table where the median1 home price by quarter for the same period as above is compared to the quarterly median home sales price for the corresponding quarter one year earlier. 3rd Qtr 2018

% change from 3rd

4th Qtr 2018

% change from 4th

1st Qtr 2019

% change from 1st

Median Price

Quarter 2017

Median Price

Quarter 2017

Median Price

Quarter 2018

Kootenai County

$299,900

15.3%

$299,900

14.4%

$299,000

8.7%

Bonner County

$310,000

5.1%

$349,000

16.3%

$304,500

16.0%

Boundary County

$232,000

11.0%

$165,000

-21.4%

$229,600

36.7%

Source: Coeur d’Alene MLS and the Selkirk MLS, information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Information compiled by Jim Haynes, Associate Broker, Realm Partners, 208-290-7249, jim.haynes@frontier.com

For the last three quarters Kootenai County median home prices have increased by 13.2% over the same period of the previous year. Bonner Single Family Home Sales (number of units sold) % Change from County experienced an 10.6% increase over the same period while Bound2015 2016 2017 2018 2018 ary County experienced an increase of 9.4%. United States * 4,646,000 4,838,000 4,892,000 4,742,000 -3.1% Kootenai County ** 3,857 4,250 4,424 4,631 4.7% Looking at the three northern counties of Idaho together, for the last three Bonner County ** 779 840 881 996 13.1% quarters when compared to the same three quarters the year before there Boundary County ** 188 174 157 217 38.2% was an increase in the number of homes sold by 3.1% and the median Single Family Median Home Sales Price home sales price increased 11.6% to just under $300,000. For the most % Change from recent nine month nationally the number of homes sold is down 4.5% and 2015 2016 2017 2018 2018 median home sales price is up 3.9% ($256,900) when compared the same United States * $223,900 $235,500 $248,800 $261,400 5.1% Kootenai County ** $210,000 $228,015 $254,200 $288,000 13.3% nine months one year earlier. Bonner County ** $235,000 $257,500 $280,990 $305,000 8.5% -3.0% For the three northern counties of Idaho the supply of homes for sale is de- Boundary County ** $172,450 $175,000 $199,900 $194,000 creasing as demonstrated by the declining number of active residential list- * Existing single family home sales ** Homes, condominiums and townhomes (existing and new) ings (down 16% from this time last year) from which to choose. In addition, Source: National Association of Realtors, Coeur d'Alene MLS and Selkirk MLS (1-1-2015 to 12-31-2018, information deemed reliable but not guaranteed) median home sales prices are increasing faster than the national average (11.6% for North Idaho versus just under 4% nationally). These are indicators of a real estate market that continues to strengthen significantly. For someone considering the sale of their home as we come into the beginning of a new real estate season the data would suggest that it is a good time to sell with an opportunity to obtain top dollar for your property. 1 The median home price is that price at which half of the homes sold for more than that amount and half sold for less than that amount. The median price is used to remove bias from home prices introduced by high end properties.

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