Local Leaders Institute: Building Better Cities to Protect Local Food

Food has made its mark on the Treasure Valley’s cultural profile, and with good reason. We have outstanding restaurants, farmers markets, and healthy, tasty ingredients available from local farms, ranches, and bakeries, and other foodmakers. But these food systems face numerous challenges from our growth. As our cities work to accommodate the demands of a growing population, we face a choice- keep city growth contained to our boundaries as much as possible, or expand development beyond our current boundaries and push out our local farms and ranches.

It can easily feel like an impossible choice. Farms or houses? We need both! So how do we think about the path forward to keep access to healthy, affordable dinners for a growing population? Join Idaho Smart Growth and experts in Idaho food systems in conversation about our growth, our food, and our future. We will discuss the importance of local food systems, competing interests from development, and efforts underway that will dramatically shape our quality of life in the Treasure Valley and Idaho.

Our Guests:

David Anderson | Idaho Senior Program Manager, American Farmland Trust

David found a love for the land while working with his grandpa on the family ranch as a kid. He remembers his grandma telling stories about the generations of family that scratched a ranch out of the Lemhi Valley. After college in Arizona, David spent 25 years as a hydrogeologist providing land and water stewardship services to energy, mining, and real estate development clients. In 2019, AFT was asked by Idaho agriculture families to bring support to the state in response to a rapid loss of working lands. David joined AFT in 2021 as Idaho Program Manager and is based in Boise. He is the Board President of the Regenerative Agriculture Network of Idaho and a Board Member of the West End Neighborhood Association. He enjoys every minute outdoors and especially with family and friends.

Tammie Halcomb | Executive Director, FARE Idaho

Tammie Halcomb is the Executive Director of FARE Idaho, where she spearheads initiatives dedicated to strengthening Idaho’s vibrant local food economy. With deep roots in economic development and a passion for community engagement, Tammie connects independent restaurants, family farms, and local producers, advocating for policy advancements that directly benefit Idaho's agricultural and food sectors, particularly focusing on the protection and preservation of working lands. Her previous roles include leading economic development efforts for the City of Eagle and launching Canyon County’s economic development division, where she managed strategic growth, stakeholder collaboration, and legislative outreach. Tammie’s expertise lies in creating sustainable market access, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and promoting educational opportunities from field to fork, ensuring Idaho's food system thrives amid rapid growth and development.

About the Local Leaders Institute

Idaho has been one of the fastest-growing states in the nation for several years running. The way we grow has a direct impact on our quality of life. Right now is our opportunity to get ahead of the growth to preserve our open lands, create effective public transportation, and create spaces where Idahoans can feel safe, have fun, and live rewarding lives for generations to come.

More people are moving here to enjoy all the Gem State has to offer- beautiful open space, increasing economic opportunities, tight-knit communities, and so much more. While this growth opens doors to assets we might not otherwise have, it also strains our cities and towns as we work to manage the challenges that follow. Smart growth principles are proven tactics to ensure growth doesn’t get ahead of us. By sharing our challenges, strategies, data, and values, the Local Leaders Institute equips professionals, policymakers, and residents with the connections, knowledge, and confidence they need to promote smart growth principles in their communities.

The Local Leaders Institute aims to equip neighbors like you with the connections, knowledge, and confidence to promote smart growth practices in your communities. The LLI is a monthly opportunity for leaders in communities all across Idaho to engage in learning, conversation, and application of smart growth principles. Each session is led by experienced professionals to introduce a topic, highlight an example, or dissect an experience of smart growth in action to contribute to shared knowledge.

About Idaho Smart Growth

Idaho Smart Growth is a statewide, independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit offering expertise and tools to keep our communities vibrant and our lands healthy. Since 2000, Idaho Smart Growth has collaborated with partners throughout the Gem State to maintain and create great places to live. As the state continues to grow, the urgency of smart growth and the desire to preserve and enhance quality of life here becomes more apparent. Idaho Smart Growth offers a range of programs to help make communities more attractive, economically stronger, and safer for everyone, and it depends on the generous support and community spirit of volunteers and donors to pursue its mission.