Cover story: She’s All About Building Bridges, Not Burning Them

from Line Rider January

by Idaho Cattle Association

Message from the EVP

BY MORGAN LUTGEN Director of Membership & Industry Engagement

She’s all about BUILDING

bridges, not burning them

Getting to know the motivations of new ICA Board President, Kim Brackett

Chances are, if you’ve ever Google-d ‘Kim Brackett Idaho’, you were not disappointed with the list of articles and press releases linked to her. Chances are also that, if you’ve met Kim, you know she doesn’t default to detailing her impressive dossier of achievements. There’s pretty much nothing in the beef world that this lady hasn’t done, but I’d be lying if I said she gave me the green light to list them all here.

KIM AND HER HUSBAND, IRA, ENJOYING FAMILY TIME WITH THEIR KIDS CADE, ZANE, CHANTRY AND RHETT.

KIM’S DRIVE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BEEF INDUSTRY IS ROOTED IN HER DESIRE TO MODEL THIS BEHAVIOR FOR HER KIDS.

For 2023, the Idaho Cattle Association is welcoming Kim Brackett into yet another prestigious and pivotal role in her career: Board President. In this role, Kim’s depth of leadership experience will be utilized through steering the ICA’s 23 person Board of Directors and representing the association in its interactions on behalf of the state of Idaho’s beef industry.

It’s a bit of an ongoing joke amongst our staff – “Where is Kim today?” Homedale? Three Creek? Denver? Wherever she is, the odds are that she is doing something beef related. Whether it’s getting ready to brand calves on her family’s Three Creek ranch (a cow-calf operation located near Idaho-Nevada border where they also hold federal grazing permits), or traveling to Denver for her duties on the Beef Industry’s Long Range Planning task force (among others), Kim is always on the move. One may think, ‘she must spend so much time driving- how does she find time to keep up on communication?’ Well, it’s simple – Kim is an efficiency master. She unashamedly enlists one of her 4 children as secretary during her commutes!

On a more serious note, however, when I asked Kim “why DO you do all of this?”, her answer to this was simple as well – at the end of the day, it’s actually FOR her kids. When she and her husband, Ira, moved back to his family ranch 25+ years ago, they both agreed that being seriously involved in the beef industry was a core value of theirs and something that they wanted modeled for their kids as the next generation. And while the Brackett family is somewhat of a legacy in Idaho, Ira just didn’t want the front and center role that this sort of deep commitment to the industry can sometimes require. Kim’s willingness to connect in this way has launched her into a multitude of audiences and experiences. Out of all of the boards, committees and programs she’s been part of, the one she holds dearest and is most proud of, is her experience as part the 2018 class for the Eisenhower U.S. Fellowship. Taking very seriously the challenge that the beef industry faces in regard to sustainability and narratives around climate change, as part of the Eisenhower Fellowship program Kim was able to visit the countries of Australia and Argentina during 6 weeks of CONTINUED, PAGE 28

international travel. There she learned from producers about strides made in improving environmental sustainability (in a similar drought fraught environment), as well as response to consumer demands for sustainability.

You might be wondering, where does all of this bridge building come in? When you get an opportunity to converse with Kim, chances are you’ll find her to be a thoughtful listener, but also a vocal advocate. These qualities lend so well to the bridge building that is part of her laser focus and also what positions her so well for the role of ICA’s Board President. Kim’s recent addition to the management board for the Intermountain West Joint Venture is just one such example that perfectly aligns with her ability to bridge build. Being part of this group (whose purpose is to bring together federal & state agency directors, corporate partners, western landowners and non-government association leaders in an effort to

share perspectives openly When you get an opportunity and find common ground in conservation efforts) is to converse with Kim, chances just one of the bridge building efforts that help ICA are you’ll find her to be a stand out as an agricultural leader in its own right. Kim thoughtful listener, but also a is no stranger to the conversation around conservocal advocate. vation, sustainability & climate change affecting the beef industry, which makes her ability to further forge bridges with agency contacts invaluable in the Board President’s seat. We are beyond thrilled to welcome Kim into the aforementioned President’s seat for 2023. The work of a beef industry advocate is never done, but knowing that someone is at the helm with the vision, expertise and drive of Ms. Kim Brackett, you should be able to rest easy knowing that the direction of ICA is under her watchful and skilled eye. Be sure to take time to connect with her as you see her out and about, and let’s all keep building those bridges for the Idaho beef industry!