Idaho Ag Summit

The Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit committee is seeking nominations for the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Agriculture. As part of the Ag Summit, the Governor recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Idaho agriculture. Recipients are chosen from nominations received by August 1st from organizations or individuals. The awards are not limited to agriculture producers. The purpose of each award is to recognize outstanding individuals who impact agriculture in a positive way. This is a wonderful opportunity for honorees to be recognized by their peers and state leaders for their contributions to agriculture and Idaho. Please take the time to consider nominating someone you know that should be recognized for his or her important contribution to agriculture.

Join us for Idaho Ag Summit! We will hear from several key players in Idaho agriculture and beyond.

Sample of the 2026 Keynote Speakers:

Kam Quarles, CEO National Potato Council, leads efforts to advance federal and international policies that strengthen the US potato industry. He previously served as NPC’s VP of Public Policy & Communications. In DC, he has represented ag interests as lead lobbyist for McDermott Will & Emery and held leadership roles at the United Fresh Produce Assn. and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. His work ensures potato growers have a strong, unified voice on national ag, trade, and regulatory issues.

Ray Starling, General Counsel for NC Chamber & President of NC Chamber Legal Institute, guides legal strategy and policy affecting North Carolina’s business community. A leading voice in agriculture, he heads NC Ag Leads and serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Smithfield Foods, Inc. Ray previously served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and as agriculture advisor at the White House. He is the recent author of Farmers Versus Foodies and also a former National FFA Officer.

Rick Stott, CEO of Superior Farms, is an agribusiness leader with over two decades of experience in the livestock and protein industries. Before joining Superior, he spent 19 years with Agri Beef, serving as VP of Business Development and President of Snake River Farms. A fifth-generation cattleman, he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from BYU. He has served on the Superior Farms Board since 2011, is active on the UI Agriculture Dean’s Advisory Board, and on multiple cattlemen’s associations.