Community Impacts of Idaho's Dairy Industry

University of Idaho researchers Priscilla Salant, J.D. Wulfhorst and Stephanie Kane recently studied the community level impacts of Idaho's rapidly changing dairy industry and found largely positive economic and social effects.

During the two-year study, the researchers conducted a telephone survey of the general public, interviewed community members and local officials and analyzed publicly available data to understand the dairy industry and its impacts. The team examined child poverty rates, health care impacts and crime rates, and explored the community-level effect of immigration policies in its report. The study, "Community Level Impacts of Idaho's Changing Dairy Industry," analyzes how the industry’s workers impact the towns and small cities in which they live. The analysis specifically focused on the work force employed by Idaho’s dairy farms, rather than employees who work in cheese and value-added manufacturing.

Impact

The research provided a better understanding of the community-level impacts resulting from the changing dairy industry and its workforce.

The study found that in general the industry's impacts have been positive. Overall, we found that communities are better off economically because of the dairy industry, but they struggle to adjust to the challenges of a changing and growing population.

Funding Source

Idaho Dairymen's Association

Principal Contributors

Priscilla Salant
Affiliate Faculty and Director, Office of Community Partnerships
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J.D. Wulfhorst
Professor
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Stephanie Kane
SSRU Project Manager