While International Women’s Day is celebrated in March, focusing on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, we wanted to spotlight 13 women in the ag industry (of many to choose from).
Courtesy photos.
Chanel Tewalt – Director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)
Director Tewalt first joined the ISDA while in college and has 15 years of experience at the department. Tewalt grew up on a livestock operation in Klamath Falls, creating a strong foundation to the way she approaches her work at the agency. She has focused on collaboration with industry partners and on the implementation of agency programs with a clear understanding of statutory requirements and stakeholder needs. Tewalt and her husband co-own a family club-lamb and seedstock operation in the Treasure Valley and are proud to be raising their children in and around production agriculture.
Sydney Plum – Public information officer, ISDA
Sydney Plum is the public information officer for the ISDA where she coordinates public outreach, media efforts and events for the agency. Plum is a recent graduate of the University of Idaho. Throughout her time as an undergraduate, she developed a greater knowledge of the industry by interning for the agency. Plum is proud to play a role in communicating to stakeholders how the ISDA serves Idaho agriculture.
Laura Johnson – Marketing bureau chief, ISDA
Laura Johnson, bureau chief of the ISDA Market Development Division, has been promoting, connecting and educating Idaho producers to help them grow their marketplace for over 30 years. She oversaw the creation of the Idaho Preferred Program and has coordinated sales missions, promotions and Governor’s Trade Missions around the world.
Cori Wittman Stitt – Partner, general manager at Wittman Farms, Lapwai
Cori Wittman Stitt of Lapwai is a fourth-generation owner/manager of a diversified crop, cattle and timber operation in north-central Idaho. She focuses primarily on finance, marketing and human resources, and operates equipment with a 2-year-old in tow. Stitt also does some consulting on farm financial management and succession planning.
Diane Green – Organic farmer/educator/manager, Greentree Naturals, Sandpoint
Diane Green owns and operates Greentree Naturals, a small acreage farm outside Sandpoint celebrating 30 years as a certified organic grower. She is a well-known workshop leader, teaching, writing and consulting across the Northwest. Green is one of the founders of Rural Roots, the University of Idaho Cultivating Success program.
Trenda Regehr – Owner, BlueRock Farms, Buhl and Twin Falls
Trenda Regehr loves the freshness and flavors of local produce. At BlueRock Farms, she and her husband, Ty, raise 25 different vegetable crops, as well as cut flowers, grass-fed beef, and run a farm bakery. Regehr manages BlueRock Farm Market, open seasonally, where they sell local farm products, from their own farm and many other Idaho producers. They celebrate the connection between their Idaho farmers and the community.
Colleen Taugher – Principal owner, Melliflora, Troy
Colleen Taugher is the owner of Melliflora, a cut-flower farm and design studio in Troy. Growing up in a farming family in Wisconsin, Taugher spent her early years working in agriculture before going to art school and starting adult life as a professional working artist. A 16-year career working as a contractor for U.S. Agency for International Development, through Washington State University, further deepened her skill set and love for agriculture. Since 2020, she has devoted herself full time to managing Mellifera Farm together with her husband, bee scientist Steve Sheppard. Together they grow cut flowers and raise Icelandic sheep.
Erica White – Marketing specialist, Idaho Preferred
Erica White carries forward the mission of ISDA’s Idaho Preferred Program working as a marketing trade specialist to strengthen the local food system, economy and the community’s relationship to agriculture and its food producers through promotion, connection and education to help producers grow their marketplace.
Samantha Parrott – Executive director, Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association
Samantha Parrott was selected as the executive director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association in August. In this new role, she represents over 700 sugarbeet growers across Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Parrott was raised in Rigby where she participated in FFA. She earned a degree in agribusiness from the University of Idaho and lives in Nampa with her husband, Stephen, and three children.
Carly Weaver – Program and event manager, Idaho FFA Foundation
Carly Weaver left her family farm to attend the University of Idaho, where she studied ag business. She’s spent the last few years doing communications and volunteer work in the Idaho ag industry. Weaver has deep roots with FFA as an alumni member, and now works for the Idaho FFA Foundation. She is a fifth-generation Idahoan involved in production agriculture.
Caryl Elzinga – Owner, Alderspring Ranch, May
Caryl Elzinga and her husband, Glenn, run Alderspring Ranch along with five of their seven daughters and several great employees. She grew up on a corn and bean farm, got a Ph.D. in plant ecology and then moved to Idaho. The Elzingas purchased a small ranch in 1993 and grew the operation to support several families today.
Zoey Wahlen – Roots Potato Chips, Aberdeen
On Zoey Wahlen’s family farm, they focus on regenerative practices as they grow potatoes, alfalfa and wheat. Most of the time, she’s the behind-the-scenes gal who keeps things running. Wahlen keep bellies full, boots and clothes clean, cares for their children, grabs needed parts in town and little things that often go unseen. She wasn’t born into the world of agriculture, but Wahlen is beyond grateful she found it and the role that she currently plays in their operation.
Jamie Talan – Weiser River Ranch, Council
Last year, a new mother walked up to Jamie Talan in the sheep barn. Twin newborns were by her side. The trio greeted Talan, and it took her just a second to realize that this mom had been her little orphan baby a year or so ago. And she remembered her mama – orphans are raised in the Talan home, and they can have 20 a year. Now, Talan was a grandma, and she wanted to share the news. That is one of the biggest thrills of ranching and farming. The Talans love animals and they live on fresh grass (and organic alfalfa in the winter) and river water and love. Talan and her husband sell grass-fed and grass-finished lamb and beef, and she loves teaching people the importance of farm-to-table buying and cooking.
Ag Proud – Idaho thanks the many women in the ag industry.
If you’d like to nominate an Idaho woman in the ag industry for recognition, let us know.
