A New Tool for Protecting Working Lands In 2024, Idaho took a major step to protect farms, ranches, and working forest land from the pressures of growth and development. On July 1, 2024, the Agricultural Protection Area Act went into effect, giving qualifying landowners the option to formally designate their property as an “agricultural protection area.” This designation is voluntary, but powerful. Once land is approved, it receives long-term legal protections against nuisance lawsuits, restrictive local regulations, and unwanted zoning changes. The goal is simple: allow Idaho’s agricultural landowners to…Read More
Most of Idaho’s land is “open range.” What does this mean? It means Idaho law favors livestock “free grazing” on our bountiful lands, rather than restricting animals to fenced areas. Idaho citizens and lawmakers encourage ranching and recognize that livestock roaming freely is part of our heritage and economy. Idaho law defines open range as “all unenclosed lands outside of cities, villages, and herd districts, upon which cattle, by custom, license, lease, or permit, are grazed or permitted to roam.” In plain English, the bottom line is this: any land…Read More
Farming and ranching come with sounds, smells, and sights that are part of rural life. Tractors start early, livestock bawl at odd hours, and manure piles up. These realities do not always sit well with new city folk who move into the country looking for quiet views and fresh air, but who do not fully understand what it means to live next to a working operation. Idaho law anticipates this conflict and comes down squarely on the side of agriculture. The Idaho Right to Farm Act[1] protects agriculture like the…Read More
How the Law Recognizes the Realities of Rural Life In Idaho, livestock, equipment, and land are not merely assets on a balance sheet. They are symbols of a rancher’s legacy, representing not only financial value, but also decades of hard work, stewardship, and tradition. To an outsider, a herd of cattle may look like just another form of property, but for the ranching family, those animals embody years of selective breeding, daily labor, and the hope of passing something meaningful to the next generation. Fortunately, Idaho law recognizes the importance…Read More
The Silent Threat: Estate Taxes on Agricultural Land For farmers and ranchers, estate taxes are a quiet but very real and looming threat. They do not strike during your lifetime, but when your estate passes on. And for those whose operations have appreciated significantly in value, the tax bill can be devastating. That is, unless agricultural tax planning is already part of your long-term strategy. Let us get the good news out of the way first: Idaho does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. That is a tremendous benefit.…Read More
Most ranchers and farmers are prepared to face storms, drought, or even market downturns. But very few are ready for the one event that can bring a thriving operation to a halt overnight: incapacity. Whether due to aging, illness, injury, or a sudden accident, losing the ability to manage a ranch, even temporarily, can have absolutely devastating consequences. If you have not taken the initiative to create a plan in the event of your incapacity, then there is no plan in place, which means courts will intervene, family conflict can…Read More
How the New Law Affects Suppressors, SBRs, and Other NFA Items Big changes are coming for lawful gun owners on January 1, 2026, when major adjustments to the National Firearms Act (NFA) officially take effect. For decades, the NFA has imposed paperwork, long wait times, and a hefty $200 “tax stamp” on common items like suppressors and short-barreled rifles. The 2026 reforms dramatically alter that landscape — in a good way. Below is a clear, gun-owner-focused breakdown of what’s changing, what isn’t, and how you can prepare. --- ## The…Read More
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, family gatherings, and warm memories. Yet for millions of older adults, November through January can be the most emotionally difficult stretch of the year. While loneliness affects people of all ages, it disproportionately impacts seniors — and the holidays often intensify those feelings. Why Loneliness Peaks For Seniors During the Holidays Throughout the year, many older adults already face challenges such as living alone, decreased mobility, or the loss of a spouse or friends. But during the holidays, those…Read More
Is your estate plan secure? This article explores all the considerations you need to make to ensure your assets and property are protected… Many of us work our whole lives to build a legacy that can be passed down for generations to come. We all want our loved ones to thrive – both now and in the future. So, what can we do to ensure our assets and property are safeguarded and managed in accordance with our wishes? By taking calculated and proactive steps alongside the guidance of a trusted…Read More
