Message from the Natural Resources Policy Director

Musings from another summer gone too soon

Finding the value in decompression, while continuing on a path to progress.

Whoever coined the phrase, “lazy days of summer”, does not live the same kind of life I live. I simply cannot relate. With three active and involved teenagers, a job, and various family, ranch, and community commitments, my summer days are fast and furious with little time to come up for air, let alone be lazy. Although September brings a return to a more structured schedule, and a host of school and sports activities, I do mourn the passing of another summertime, in spite of all its craziness.

When asked to complete chores during this past summer, one of my daughters had taken to complaining about having to work during the summer. In her mind, she had the misconception that summertime meant she should just be able to lounge around all day with no chores or responsibilities. While I can sympathize to a small extent with her sentiment, I found myself having to frequently remind her that although laziness may sound appealing, it is simply not reflective of real life. As only a mother can, I suggested that she accept this fact of life sooner rather than later. While her responsibilities may not be adult-sized, nor should they be, summer does not mean that the house should not be regularly picked up, animals do not need to be fed and cared for, or yardwork can be left undone.

Certainly, we all can benefit from taking a little time off, unplugging, or shutting out the rest of the world, if only for a few moments. However, in our industry, we recognize not only the value of hard work, but understand the constant necessity of it. This rings true for producers and ICA alike. Just as the constancy of rancher’s work is unending and unrelenting from season to season, ICA must remain vigilant in monitoring proposed laws and regulations, participating in agency and industry meetings, communicating with our members, and extolling the virtues of a

BY KAREN WILLIAMS ICA Natural Resources Policy Director

CONTINUED, PAGE 12

We were all there because we loved the land.

The Idaho Beef Council (IBC) invests Checkoff dollars with the Federation of State Beef Councils, an organization representing 44 Qualified State Beef Councils. The investment supports beef research, promotion and education under the Federal Beef Act & Order. The IBC receives three Federation Director seats. These IBC Executive Committee members sit on various committees and provide feedback on project proposals and Checkoff investments.

Current Idaho Federation Directors:

Bill Lickley

Idaho Beef Council Chairman Cow-calf rep. International Marketing Committee

Lee Bradshaw

Idaho Beef Council Vice-Chairman Feeder rep. Nutrition & Health Committee

Steven Taylor

Idaho Beef Council Secretary/ Treasurer Auction rep. Domestic Marketing Committee

The Federation of State Beef Councils, created in 1963, is committed to its vision, which is to build beef demand by inspiring, unifying and supporting an effective state and national Checkoff partnership. The Federation represents the 44 Qualified State Beef Councils (QSBCs), and they collectively include over 700 state board members who represent a wide range of industry organizations and every segment of the beef industry. The Federation builds a larger, more impactful, coordinated plan that can be executed as a partnership between the Federation, individual QSBCs, and national Checkofffunded programs.

Your expertise is needed!

For more information on how you can be involved in state and national Checkoff leadership opportunties to ensure all Idaho rancher voices are heard, please contact the Idaho Beef Council at 208-376-6004 or BeefCouncil@IDBeef.org.

continued strong cattle industry to the ecosystem and the economy—whether it is summer’s “lazy days” or not.

After repeatedly hearing from my kids that they’d had no vacation time this summer, my family recently squeezed in a weekend away in the beautiful Stanley Basin, one of my favorite places on earth, next to home of course. The majesty of the Sawtooths, the vibrant green pastures, the bright blue skies, and the lack of over-development all combine to make for a breathtaking landscape in every direction. While there, we drove into Stanley a couple times to eat dinner. As is the case with vacations and the vacationing public, people-watching can become an entertaining and illustrative side show. Stanley offered a very interesting collection of people varying from the families like us on vacation, to the group of smokejumpers coming into our restaurant after a likely long day’s work, to the Sun Valley elite who had come over the mountain for a bite, to the local ranchers passing through, to the self-proclaimed nature lovers and environmental enthusiasts.

We went into one fly shop in search of that elusive fly the local fish were certain to bite, and we had a nice visit with the friendly store worker and river guide. As we were taking our leave, I noticed a big, bold flyer posted in the most visible location at the cash register urging action of customers to contact the state of Washington’s U.S. senators and demand immediate removal of the dams on the Lower Snake and warning that apocalyptic results would be shortly forthcoming if not. I also noticed lots of bumper stickers around town of “environmental” organizations that repeatedly undertake actions to put us out of business. In all of these interactions, I could not help but reflect on the paradox of the situation. We were all there because we loved the land. We, most certainly, all wanted to see it protected from the development happening all over the state because of Idaho’s population boom. We were all there with common interests, yet in reality, we are certain adversaries in both our approach and viewpoint. Upon this realization, I thought about how frustrating it is that this adversarial relationship exists between mutual lovers and caretakers of the landscape. At its root, we want the same thing: undisturbed open and productive lands, yet a tremendous gap in understanding exists. It is most unfortunate that we are pitted against each other when in fact we are allies. Upon this enlightening realization, I felt renewed motivation to find ways to collaborate with diverse interests and to better tell the story of our industry. To explain that working ranches equate directly to open landscapes and preserved, intact wildlife habitat. Our endgames are virtually identical, we just need to find mutual pathways of understanding that lead to the preservation of both Idaho’s cattle ranches and its beautiful, undivided landscapes.

SPENDING TIME IN THE PITURESQUE SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS IN STANLEY, IDAHO