The article also sited Canada’s success with the establishment of the Guelph Food Technology Centre, which focuses on functional foods and nutraceutical products.  This organization was created in part due to the close relationship between the agribusiness and the economic development officials in the area.

Ron Bitner, PhD, an agricultural specialist with Caldwell/ Canyon Economic Development Council was interviewed for the article.

As it appeared in the article:
“Moving west, Canyon county, Idaho, is one of the nations major ag producers, where 140 different crops are grown, with a specialization in seed and vegetable crops.  The area is home to seven major national or international seed companies, says Bitner.

The county has seen a shift away from large farms to small farms, which produce specialized crops such as lavender. One organization wants to produce grape seed oil for the pharmaceutical industry.

Bitner says the county has experienced growth in the wine production industry, as has the state of Idaho.  The wine industry has increased from 12 wineries in 2004 to 32 in 2007.

In other agribusiness activities in Canyon County, biofuels opportunities are also emerging.  “We are working with a small biofuels project, helping the owner to locate a facility, and providing connections to farmers in order to access oil seeds,” Bitner says.

Bitner says the county is interested in attracting different types of agribusiness that want to tap into its expertise in seeds, and its abundance of water, which comes from the four reservoirs that collect snow runoff, and from the Snake River.”

For more information about this article or agribusiness opportunities in Canyon County please contact our office