French novelist Anais Nin suggested some 60 years ago that life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. In these current economic hard times, Idahoans have had ample opportunity to test their courage, including their willingness to develop and diversify the state’s economic base. Results of these efforts can be seen in an individual farm family’s willingness to retool itself, to another’s decision to retool its entire farm.

Photo: The diversification of Idaho’s economy includes cultivating alternative crops such as Tony Isaacson’s mushrooms. © Pam Benham. All rights reserved.

In this issue, we examine the many large and small ways individuals and entities in the state are building on traditional strengths and developing new ones with the help of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Highlighted is a series of articles by Mel Coulter who offers a glimpse into efforts to educate the state’s citizens on improving their personal financial well-being. Marlene Fritz takes a look at the repurposing of a farm from traditional crop production to the production of wind power, a commodity in many parts of Idaho with unlimited potential. Diane Noel looks at a class offered to entrepreneurs planning small-acreage enterprises, Bill Loftus introduces a new extension educator working with the Coeur d’Alene Native Americans, and Jerry Adams profiles Sandy and Jeff Bragg, beneficiaries of their own courage and of the new Alternative Careers for Idaho Farmers Program.

From partnering in efforts to boost international trade to helping former city dwellers live effectively and efficiently on the land, the college is helping Idaho broaden and strengthen its human and physical resources and working to help unlock the state’s economic potential.

Jean Henscheid

© 2002 University of Idaho, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.