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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 VOLUME 89, NUMBER 40 WWW.CAPITALPRESS.COM $2.00 GREAT STATE OF ADA Thinkstock.com Idaho farmers concerned about shift of clout to Boise area As Idaho’s population shifts from rural counties to the Boise area, farmers are increasingly concerned about city folks far removed from the farm making decisions that impact their industry. By SEAN ELLIS Capital Press B OISE — In rural Idaho, farmers often refer to the Boise area, which is in Ada County, as “the Great State of Ada.” It’s not a term of endearment. As the state’s population center rapidly shifts to the Boise area, Ida- hoans involved in agriculture see the prospect of more urbanites with less understanding of agriculture wielding more clout in the state legislature. The question they ask one another has no easy answer: What can they do about it? “Currently it’s not a problem, but I am concerned in the long term,” said Sen. Jim Patrick, a Republican farmer from Twin Falls. “When I run into people in Boise ... they just don’t comprehend what we do and why we do it.” They fear the problem will only continue to grow as Ada County grows. Idaho’s population grew by more than 27 percent from 2000 to 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and much of that growth was in Ada County and adjacent Canyon County, Idaho’s two most populous. For example, Ada County grew by 29 percent and Canyon County grew by 44 percent. At the same time, the population of such rural areas as Bear Lake and Car- ibou counties shrank by 5 percent or more. Ada and Canyon counties now have a combined population of 641,689 — 39 percent of Idaho’s total population of 1.65 million. “The power is shifting to Ada County,” said Sen. Mark Harris, a Republican rancher from Soda Springs in Eastern Idaho. “Every time there’s a census, that area picks up more seats in the legislature and rural areas lose seats.” “We need to always be mindful to look for every opportunity to promote, educate and advocate for agriculture when we can.” Rick Waitley Food Producers of Idaho executive director Select Idaho county population changes (Percent change from 2010 to 2015) Coeur d’Alene As of 2015, Idaho’s total population was 1.65 million, up 5.3 percent from 2010. However, the state’s two most populous counties, Canyon and Ada, have outpaced the overall growth rate while other rural counties have lost population. Lewiston Source: U.S. Census Bureau Alan Kenaga/Capital Press Canyon: Up 9.6% Bingham: Down 1.6% Meridian Boise Ada: Up 10.4% Elmore: Down 4.5% Idaho Falls Blackfoot Pocatello Mountain Home Twin Falls Turn to ADA, Page 12 Aging farmers will turn over two-thirds of Oregon’s ag land By ERIC MORTENSON Capital Press A new report estimates 64 percent of Oregon’s farmland, nearly 10.5 million acres, could change hands in the next 20 years. Farmers 55 and older, the ubiq- uitous Baby Boomers, control that much of Oregon ag land, according to the report. As they leave the profes- sion over the next two decades, they Wheat is harvested near Condon, Ore. A new report estimates 64 percent of Oregon’s farmland, nearly 10.5 million acres, could change hands in the next 20 years. “How that land changes hands, who acquires it, and what they do with the land will impact Oregon for generations.” — Report are likely to sell or transfer land to family members, neighbors or other current farmers and ranchers, or to business entities that are “primarily focused on investment, fi nance, prop- erty management, and development.” “How that land changes hands, who acquires it, and what they do with the land will impact Oregon for generations,” the report concludes. Eric Mortenson Capital Press Turn to LAND, Page 12 Washington wolf activities go beyond Profanity Peak pack Tribe reports harvesting another wolf By DON JENKINS Capital Press Washington wildlife managers say they are continuing to search for the sur- viving members of the Profanity Peak pack in the Colville National Forest, a hunt now on its eighth week. Meanwhile, wolves in another north- eastern Washington pack last week killed a calf, and a wolf was legally har- vested on the Spokane Tribe of Indians reservation, according to the state De- partment of Fish and Wildlife. WDFW’s plan to lethally remove the Profanity Peak pack has outraged some environmental and animal-rights groups, overshadowing other wolf ac- tivities in Washington this summer. WDFW began hunting for the Pro- fanity Peak pack on Aug. 4. The depart- ment has reported shooting fi ve adults and one pup, though none since Aug. 22. Two adults and up to four pups re- main, according to WDFW. The depart- ment says it intends to eliminate the rest of the pack, but the pack is in rugged timberlands and fi nding the surviving wolves will be challenging. Turn to WOLVES, Page 12 755 dry farmable acres and 160 acres of range ground. Excellent stand of dry land alfalfa. Great production records, completely fenced! Awesome summer pasture with stock wells and dry farmable acreage. 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