Legislative Conference 2026

The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 Legislative Conference was held on February 10^th and 11^th in Boise. It was a chance for hundreds of members from around the state to meet their legislators and spend time at the Capitol, as well as attend breakout sessions dealing with a variety of topics affecting agriculture.

Verbatim:

“Thank you, guys, for coming to the Legislative Conference…”

On February 10^th, hundreds of Idaho Farm Bureau Federation members came from around the state to attend the two-day Legislative Conference in Boise.

“We can meet our legislators and spend some time at the Capitol, get to know how government works and what government's doing in relations to agriculture,” said Doug Barrie, Vice President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.

“It's a very jam-packed event. It's what some people would say is it's the longest week… two-day week they've ever attended,” said Matt Dorsey, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.

The first day began with a P&E donation to the Idaho FFA and 4H programs, recognizing the graduating class of Ag Ambassadors, and also the winners of the YF&R High School Speech Contest and Discussion Meet.

In the afternoon there were a number of presenters tackling a variety of topics in the many different breakout sessions, followed by the issue advisory committees.

 “We try to cover and get as much information in as we can from the issues currently at hand to issues that might be coming up,” said Dorsey.

“To help educate and inform on what's going on and how to benefit your operation,” said Barrie.

Throughout the conference members heard from and talked to several state government officials, and they also got information on national issues from all four members of Idaho’s congressional delegation from Washington D.C.

The evening legislative dinner allowed for one-on-one interactions with the legislators who attended.

“So, one of the most powerful things is being able to meet with your legislators and talk with them because as you get to know them, they know your face. Eventually you trade phone numbers and there's been times where legislators have texted me and asked my opinion on something because of this meeting and getting to know them,” said Barrie.

On the second day attendees paid a visit to the Capitol Building, where they posed for a group photo before attending various committee meetings and hearings. They had a Q & A sessions with the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House and more. They also got to see their legislators in action on the floor of the House and Senate chambers as they watched from the gallery. 

“They did a raise of hands to see who had been to the statehouse, and there's always a handful of people that haven't been here before. And so just the exposure is great,” said Barrie.

“It's nice to get them here in our state's capitol to be able to rub shoulders with the legislatures and the legislature in general,” said Dorsey.

“As you sit on the in the gallery of the House and the Senate, legislators recognize us and they know us and they know our organization and they know the people that come from their communities, and that's just a that's just a really neat thing,” said Barrie.

“I think it kind of helps to bring a connection to the members that they realize that they belong here and that they can be here. This is their house,” said Dorsey. “It shows the relationship that our members have with our elected officials and the working relationship that they have with them, and it just makes them, feel more welcome.”