Behind every bushel of Idaho potatoes lies a web of economic decisions that could make or break a farming operation, and Christopher McIntosh has spent his career mapping those relationships.

McIntosh leads the University of Idaho’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, where he conducts groundbreaking research on crop production economics, statistical analysis of agricultural data, and the economic impacts of crop diseases. His work on potato economics has been particularly influential, including studies on seed piece size optimization, virus prevention benefits, and the economic impacts of pale cyst nematode on Idaho’s potato industry.

McIntosh recently received the 2019 Western Agricultural Economics Fellowship, the highest recognition given to WAEA members who make enduring contributions to agricultural economics in the Western states.

Under his leadership, the department has secured multimillion-dollar research grants, including participation in an $8 million USDA initiative to improve soil health in potato production systems. His research extends beyond potatoes to encompass agricultural policy analysis, production relationships, and rural community development across Idaho’s diverse agricultural landscape.

Rick Naerebout leads the Idaho Dairyman’s Association, representing Idaho’s $4 billion dairy industry, the state’s most valuable agricultural sector. With more than 20 years of experience advocating for 400 dairy farms across the state, his most significant recent accomplishment was guiding the industry through massive growth, with Idaho dairymen producing more than 2 million more pounds of milk daily compared to the previous year.

Born and raised on his family’s dairy farm in McBain, Michigan, Naerebout moved to Idaho after his family sold their dairy in the late 1990s. He attended College of Southern Idaho and Idaho State University before joining the Idaho Dairymen’s Association in 2002. For his first 12 years, he simultaneously managed Independent Milk Producers, a local milk marketing cooperative.

Naerebout established IDA Consulting Services to provide on-farm nutrient management planning and worker training programs, expanding the association’s services to meet changing industry needs. Under his leadership, Idaho dairy farmers achieved a 5% to 6% growth rate in 2024, positioning the state to reclaim its ranking among the nation’s top three dairy producers.

While most wheat farmers hope for 150 bushels per acre, Rick Pearson achieved something that seemed impossible until his combine started filling bins faster than usual. His most significant recent accomplishment was setting the national wheat yield record with an astonishing 211.59 bushels per acre, earning him the Bin Buster Award and recognition as America’s top wheat producer in the National Wheat Foundation’s annual contest.

Pearson and his wife Susan have owned and operated their 1,000-acre farm near Buhl for more than 20 years, growing hay, grain and potatoes on land that includes a historic 1912 barn built by German-Russian immigrant craftsmen. A Leadership Idaho Agriculture graduate, Pearson serves on the Idaho Hay and Forage Association board and has been an Idaho Farm Bureau State Board director since 2001.

Under his leadership, R&S Pearson Farms has become recognized for innovation and growth while maintaining partnerships with local farmers to improve operations. The farm also operates as a wedding venue in their century-old dairy barn, diversifying income streams.

Samantha Perez Parrott has spent three years advocating for sugarbeet growers across state lines, with her most significant recent accomplishment being the organization of Oregon’s first-ever Sugarbeet Day in Salem. The milestone event brought together growers, seed producers and allied industry voices in a state critical to U.S. sugarbeet seed production.

“At the core of it all is a simple truth: Food security is national security,” Parrott said. “Supporting Idaho agriculture means supporting strong, resilient communities across our state.”

Parrott holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and master’s degree in adult organizational learning and leadership from the University of Idaho, plus a human resource development certificate. Before joining agriculture advocacy, she spent a decade in fundraising, developing skills in relationship building and strategic communication.

Her current focus includes completing a curriculum kit for third- through sixth-grade students in partnership with the University of Idaho to teach young learners about agriculture and food origins.

“I truly feel blessed to be in my dream job, where I get to advocate for farmers and work at the intersection of agriculture and public policy,” she said.

Angela Reed, a leader in Idaho’s agricultural landscape, spearheads the state’s largest wholesale distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables.

She orchestrates a large operation, guiding more than 125 employees who nourish communities across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Eastern Oregon and Washington. She recently completed an overhaul of the company’s 1980s-era office, transforming it into a vibrant, contemporary hub.

Reed is the fourth-generation owner of the family business founded by her great-grandfather Henry Grasmick in 1955. She earned a law degree from Creighton University School of Law and worked as a partner at a large law firm before transitioning to lead the family enterprise. The company processes more than 20 truckloads of produce weekly from its headquarters, with additional facilities in Spokane, Twin Falls and Bozeman.

Reed’s biggest challenge has been maintaining the family values instilled by her grandfather Dutch while modernizing operations and expanding the business. Under her leadership, Grasmick Produce has strengthened its position as the region’s premier produce distributor, serving restaurants, grocery stores, schools, hospitals and state institutions throughout the Inland Northwest.

Passionate about food, people and community, Alan Reed has led Reed’s Dairy to success for nearly four decades.

In the last 18 months, he navigated the company through tragedy, as a fire destroyed its processing facility in January 2024. But, thanks to strong industry relationships and perseverance, Reed and his team of more than 150 Idahoans were able to continue selling products by partnering with other dairies to create and sell their products. Today, he is overseeing the building of a new state-of-the-art facility and in October 2025, Reed’s Dairy will be ready to run its own products.

Looking ahead, Reed has three goals ― the first being to successfully launch the new facility. Second, he hopes to share the company’s story of resilience in order to uplift others, and last he aims to grow and strengthen the Reed’s Dairy leadership team in order to thrive well into the future.