Surrounded by desert on a bluff above the Payette River sits Payette River Ridge LLC, a farm owned and operated by Derek and Chelicy Wanders. It’s hilly country, and that has presented some challenges.

For some farms, innovation means introducing conservation practices ahead of the curve. For others, it may look like growing crops outside the “normal” local rotation. Elsewhere, it may mean introducing cutting-edge technology. At Uhlorn Family Farms of Ferdinand, all three are at play.

In seven years, organic matter content in Matthews’ fields has gained a point and a half, and the curve is getting steeper now. “So it’s not taking us decades to make that organic matter change,” he says. “It can happen faster than people think. I mean, we’re farming in a desert, after all … but we’ve changed the soil. And you can change the soil, even in a desert.”

When immersed in a new culture, language, location and lifestyle, accessing health resources can be infuriating and confusing. Routine tasks, like setting up a dentist appointment and attending doctor’s visits, can be daunting, if not impossible, under these circumstances.

Just as a love of farming runs strong in the Clark line, so does a willingness to serve.

This long-standing support, stretching over 40 years with some customers, is a source of profound humility for the Bowers. Bower Chopping’s legacy is not just about harvesting crops – it’s about cultivating enduring relationships built on integrity and a shared passion for doing things the right way.