Living in an agricultural state means it's easy to notice the seasons changing by the availability of local food and produce. Fall is the perfect time to u-cut flowers, get lost in a corn maze, and pick up your produce at a u-pick or roadside stand before the harvest season winds down and farms prepare for their cold-weather slumber. Idaho Preferred is the state-wide, go-to resource for finding local Idaho products and agricultural experiences this fall!
How Idaho Preferred is Supporting Local Farmers and Producers in the Harvest Season
Photo from Idaho Preferred
Heading into harvest season is an exciting time in Idaho when one can observe the changing of the seasons in the agricultural products available through local farmers, ranchers, and food crafters. Idaho Preferred wants to help bring the farm to your fork by connecting you directly with the farmers who bring the bounty to Idaho through u-picks, u-cuts, food stands, and even locally minded retail stores.
How to Celebrate Idaho Preferred Month
September is Idaho Preferred Month, a holiday proclaimed by the Governor of Idaho to help consumers find, shop, and learn about local agricultural products. Now celebrating its 19th year, this month-long celebration is full of special activities and promotions to bring Idahoans closer. You will find fresh fruits, vegetables, and other food products at the peak of the harvest season when they are widely available at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and restaurants throughout the state.
This bountiful harvest season is the perfect time to commit to supporting your local communities economy and farmers by voting with your dollars and reaching for fresh Idaho-grown, raised, or crafted products. Look for the Idaho Preferred label wherever you shop.
Whether at grocery stores like Albertsons, Boise Co-Op, and Walmart or buying directly from local producers at farm stands and farmer's markets, Idaho's 25,000 farms and ranches produce more than 185 different food and agricultural products that make it easy for Idahoans to Live. Eat. Local.
Visit the Idaho Preferred website to find a local near you!
Find Your Local
Where to Find Agritourism Near You
Idaho Preferred is your starting point if you need inspiration for your autumn bucket list! Here you can find local Idaho agritourism traditions to fully experience our state's rich agricultural heritage.
As hot summer days segue into cool autumn afternoons and the fields and farms are ablaze with rich hues of gold and orange, it's genuinely an Idaho sight that can't be missed.
Photos from Idaho Preferred
Whether you want to take the family on a u-pick outing at the fruit orchards, spend a day on the wine trails, or take a fun romp through a corn maze and pumpkin patch, autumn in Idaho is a great time to explore the natural beauty.
- Spend a day visiting an organic farm, cider house, and farm-to-fork restaurant.
- Stop by a market stand and treat yourself to some of the freshest apricots, peaches, and produce around.
- For the more discerning agritourist, Idaho features a number of award-winning wineries and restaurants with incredible farm-to-fork culinary experiences.
U-picks, u-cuts, and roadside stands are another great way to experience the abundance of Idaho agriculture in your backyard and get to know your local farmers and ranchers simultaneously. Idaho has the 5th largest agriculture economy in the U.S., and as a proud ag-state, we are lucky to have so many choices to visit this fall.
Whether you want to pick your glowing orange or pastel pumpkins at the patch or visit some of Idaho's vineyards producing beautifully bold local wine, you are in for an ag-tastic treat.
Check out Idaho Preferred's list of other U-Picks and farm stands in the Treasure Valley here .
Holiday Gift Boxes from Idaho Preferred and U-Pick X-mas Tree Lots in Idaho
Now in its fourth year, Idaho Preferred and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture present their Idaho Preferred Gift Box. These delightful packages feature a sample of some of the best of Idaho's food, beverage, and skincare products.
Inside the carefully packed boxes, you will find items from local farmers, makers and food crafters like local honey, goat milk soap, soup mixes, condiments, seasonings, local grains, chips, and of course, some of their favorite potato products. Each item is shelf safe, so there's no worry about items possibly spoiling on delivery.
This gift is a great way to share a taste of Idaho with loved ones while supporting local farmers, ranchers, and food crafters during the holidays. Visit the link below to see what this year's boxes will have! Supplies are limited, and boxes usually sell out by early December, so get in your orders as quickly as you can!
Shop Here
Idaho U-Pick X-Mas Tree Lots
Once the snow hits, there are still plenty of ways to support local Idaho agriculture, including getting a Christmas tree grown by nearby small tree farms and at one of Idaho's many small Christmas Tree lots!
Looking for a super-local Christmas Tree experience?
Click here
Live. Eat. Local. With Idaho Preferred
Photo from Idaho Preferred
Thanks to the team behind Idaho Preferred, Idahoans are able to always find the food, drink, and products they love from local producers all year round. It's incredible to see how beneficial each dollar spent on local, Idaho-made produce, meat, flowers, natural holiday decor, and so much more! To find your local, stay tuned with Idaho Preferred on these channels!
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