Agriculture in Canyon County

Agriculture

University of Idaho Extension in Canyon County offers programs and resources related to cropping systems, small acreages and livestock. Contact the UI Extension, Canyon County office at canyon@uidaho.edu or 208-459-6349 for information on current classes and programs.

Cropping systems

Cropping systems involve the strategies and techniques used to manage and cultivate crops, with key decisions centered around crop selection, rotation and practices like irrigation, fertilization and pest control. These systems aim to optimize productivity, conserve resources and promote sustainability. Over time, cropping systems encompass not only the crops and crop sequences but also the management practices applied to a field, taking into account both spatial and temporal factors.

While large-scale agriculture focuses on extensive crop production, horticulture is more specialized, dealing with plants cultivated for human consumption or aesthetic purposes, typically on a smaller scale. Small farms benefit from the flexibility of cropping systems, allowing them to diversify production and adapt to local conditions and market demands. Additionally, cropping systems can be integrated with livestock production, forming mixed farming systems that offer various ecological and economic benefits.

We offer classes and resources on crop production topics, including the Pesticide Safety Education Course (Pre-License) and annual Pesticide Safety Recertification Training.

For more details and to register, contact us at canyon@uidaho.edu or 208-459-6349.

Jemila Chellappa

Area Extension Educator in Cropping Systems

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Livestock and small acreages

UI Extension offers classes and resources to help expand market opportunities, provide education on small acreage areas, sustain profits and improve animal welfare. For more information about the classes, contact us at canyon@uidaho.edu or 208-459-6349.

Dairy replacement heifer project

The Treasure Valley Dairy Replacement Heifer Project (TVDRHP) has been serving youth from Ada, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Valley, Washington and Owyhee counties since 1994, starting with 11 participants. Over the years, more than 360 youth have been involved. The program aims to increase knowledge and interest in the dairy industry while enhancing life skills, financial literacy and responsibility among youth in the Treasure Valley.

Participants go through an application process to understand and agree to program rules and guidelines. Each youth participant has the opportunity to purchase a heifer calf provided by a local dairy producer. To ensure fairness, a lottery-style drawing is used to match youth with available heifers.

Throughout approximately 16 months of ownership, participants will halter-break, feed and manage their heifer as described in the project guidelines. They will develop skills in:

Financing and budgeting
Record keeping
Nutritional management
Reproductive management
Selection and showmanship of dairy animals

Volunteers serving on the committee select the project heifers, plan educational events and organize the sale. Farm visits are conducted, particularly during the breeding season and numerous activities such as clinics, tours and workshops are organized by committee members. Email treasurevalleydairy@gmail.com or cheyannem@uidaho.edu for more information.

If you are interested in joining the program, please fill out an application below.

Livestock nutrition and animal management

Livestock nutrition and animal management education is designed to support individuals raising animals on small acreages with limited resources. Programs emphasize efficient, practical and science-based strategies that help backyard and small-scale livestock owners raise healthy animals while making the best use of available feeds, space and infrastructure.

Educational programs focus on helping participants:

Understand basic nutrition and digestion across livestock species
Select and use feed efficiently to reduce waste and unnecessary costs
Interpret feed labels and match feeds to animal needs
Feeding animals appropriately based on life stage, purpose and available resources
Prevent common nutrition- and management-related health issues
Balance animal welfare with realistic small acreage constraints

Instruction is tailored for backyard and small-scale livestock owners, including youth and adults, who want to raise animals responsibly, efficiently and effectively while maintaining animal health and productivity.

Programs emphasize practical decision-making and hands-on learning to ensure participants can confidently apply concepts at home. Email canyon@uidaho.edu for details on upcoming classes.

Pasture management workshop

The Southern District Pasture Management Workshop is a hands-on program designed for small acreage landowners to gain practical experience in managing their pastures and resources efficiently.

Participants will learn:

Irrigation systems, setup and management for small-scale pastures
Management-intensive grazing tailored to small acreages
Soil care, understanding soil characteristics and building healthy soils
Fence construction and selection based on livestock species
Hands-on plant and weed identification and methods for controlling problematic weeds

The program combines online and in-person sessions, including a live Zoom series that dives deeper into topics such as grass growth, small acreage management, pest and weed control, and efficient resource management.

This workshop is focused on small-scale and small acreage agriculture, helping landowners make informed, practical decisions for productive and sustainable pastures. Email canyon@uidaho.edu for details on upcoming classes.

Stewardship for small acreages

The Living on the Land program provides current and future landowners with practical information for managing small acreages sustainably. Participants develop management plans for their property while learning from Extension educators and peers.

Topics often include:

Building and maintaining healthy soils
Grazing and pasture management
Weed and pest management
Organic and sustainable farming practices
Animal care and livestock integration on small acreages

Cultivating Success

University of Idaho Extension, Canyon County is actively engaged in the Cultivating Success program, a nationally recognized education initiative that supports beginning and existing farmers, ranchers and food system entrepreneurs.

Cultivating Success offers practical, research-based courses that strengthen business planning, production decision-making and long-term farm viability. Courses are available in online, in-person and hybrid formats.

Examples of courses include:

Is a small farm in your future?
Agricultural entrepreneurship
Building a marketing strategy for your farm, ranch or specialty food business
Cultivating your business

The program also works closely with Idaho Women in Agriculture, supporting leadership development, peer learning and networking opportunities. For more information on current and upcoming courses, visit Cultivating Success website.

Cheyanne Fisher

Extension Educator in Livestock and Small Acreage