Idaho's agricultural diversity

“One ton of grapes will produce about 60 cases of wine. On average, about 4 tons per acre. That would be 240 cases.” Picking up our story from yesterday, at Huston Vineyard in Canyon County, Greg and Mary Alger are hosting lunch for a group of policymakers who recently toured the agricultural acres of Idaho’s second most populated county. “In this state we have not quite 2000 acres and not quite 55 wineries but the amount of awareness that our state gets in the world of wines is just flat impressive.” Much of the wine industry can be found next door to Symms Fruit Ranch in the Sunnyslope region along the snake River. Since 1914 the Sims family has farmed fruit. Today, manager Darr Symms is guiding the group through the packing sheds. Idaho farm bureau Pres. Brian Searle who is originally a potato farmer is very pleased with the diversity of Idaho agriculture. “Over here in Western Idaho it is pretty impressive to be able to see hops, vineyards and apples and peaches makes the states agriculture very diverse and offers many opportunities here in Idaho.”