Passport to Idaho

Passport to Idaho is designed to educate the public about current farm practices, with an introduction to farming applications, animals, crops and the people responsible for our food. Here is a list of activities you can find at Western Idaho Fair – a passport to Idaho’s rich agricultural makeup.

Crop of the Year

Western Idaho Fair is proud to celebrate CHEESE as the 2011 Crop of the Year. In the Treasure Valley, cheese is the top dairy product made, and 805 million pounds are produced each year in Idaho. Idaho is the third largest manufacturer of natural and processed cheese in the U.S.!

Activities related to cheese at Western Idaho Fair:

List to come

Fun facts about cheese:

It takes 1.12 gallons of milk to make 1 pound of cheese.
The earliest archeological evidence of cheesemaking was found in Egyptian tomb murals, dating to about 2,000 B.C.
These popular cheeses were developed:

Roquefort – 1070
Cheddar – 1500
Parmesan – 1579
Gouda – 1697

The average American eats 31 pounds of cheese a year, but a single Idaho dairy cow produces enough milk to make cheese for 75 Americans to consume in 1 year!
The average milk cow in Idaho produces more than 1.3 TONS of cheese each year.
All the milk in Idaho that is used for making cheese would fill 30 Olympic-size swimming pools EVERY WEEK.

Recipes

Baked Macaroni with Three Cheeses

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained (about 12 ounces uncooked)
1 (15-ounce) carton Sorrento® Ricotta Cheese
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Italian-seasoned chunky tomatoes
2 cups chopped green pepper
1/2 cup grated Sorrento® Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups Sorrento® Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Directions
In a lightly greased 2-quart casserole, combine macaroni, ricotta cheese, tomatoes, green pepper, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Cover and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Uncover. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and continue baking until thoroughly heated (5-10 minutes) and cheese is melted.

Click here for more cheesy recipes!

Farm Family Today

Farm Families who represent the best of Idaho agriculture are selected by Western Idaho Fair in a "Farm Family Today" celebration. The initiative recognizes farm and ranch life, promoting outstanding farmer qualities. A call for nominations will be announced each year during the Spring/Summer leading up to the Fair. Congratulations to our 2011 Farm Families!

- Kerner Cattle Co., Weiser (Bruce & Julie Kerner)
- Cove Creek Ranch, Weiser (Kathy Skow)
- Cindy & Gordon Obermeyer, Emmett
- Vermeer Dairy, Caldwell (Mike & Teri Vermeer)
- Sunny View Farms, Caldwell (Sid & Pam Freeman)
- Shurtleff Farm, Payette (Ron Shurtleff)
- Takasugi Seed Farms, Wilder (Pat/Suzanne Takasugi)
- Alan & Connie Kinyon, Castleford
- Drew Eggers Farms, Meridian (Drew & Debra Eggers)
- Kauffman Farm, Filer (Clark & Debbie Kauffman)

CLICK HERE to learn more about each of these farms.

Passport to the Fair

Teachers! Kids! Parents! This is a great interactive learning expedition for everyone! Collect your passport – or print it out at home – at any information booth or at the Premium Office when you arrive. Your mission is to stop at each department in South and North Expo, then head over to the animal areas to answer as many questions as you can. The object is to learn as much as you can about each area, and then turn in your passport for a special prize. For questions or more information, write to lcox@idahofair.com.

Ag Demonstrations & Contests

With the popular "How To Give A Chicken A Bath!" and other fun edutainment, you will find plenty of interactive contests or demonstrations related to agriculture. Often patrons can take a souvenir home or a learning tool. Check the event schedule for dates and locations.

How to Give A Chicken A Bath

It’s true, chickens take baths and they love it! Watch Jerry wash a chicken, clip her nails, scrub her beak, and get her so clean she could pass inspection. This crazy routine is entertaining as much as it is educational as Jerry’s hilarious antics teach you a bit about poultry while you’re having fun.

Beekeeper For A Day

With live honeybees making honey right there for you to see, a handler uses the smoker and talks about all things unique to harvesting honey.

Rooster Crowing

If you think you have the best rooster crow in the barnyard, join us for a moment of hilarity as we continue this loud fair tradition. Or simply come watch and laugh your beak silly.

You Be the Judge

You love animals, yet you’re curious – what exactly do they do when they are showing their animals in the ring? Learn what the judge is looking for by locating the "You Be The Judge" board near any show ring. Large animal species – beef cattle, goats, pigs, etc. – are illustrated. "Passport to the Fair" questions are located with these diagrams.