Painter takes the helm as new Extension educator

BONNERS FERRY — Kate Painter knew from the time she was a little girl that she loved agriculture.

“I think I was just born with it,” said Painter.

Her favorite books growing up were “Little House on the Prairie” series and when she was 13, she wanted her own Jersey milk cow.

“I think I read Little House on the Prairie too many times when I was a kid,” said Painter, “I had this very romantic notion of wanting to be a farmer.”

Painter is now the new agriculture extension educator at the University of Idaho extension office in Bonners Ferry.

Her job focuses mostly on cereal crops and forage production and, to a lesser extent, small-farm production, horticulture, and the Master Gardener program.

She also plans to develop educational programming for the needs of the Boundary County growers in collaboration with other U of I extension educators. People who have any questions about their crops or garden can come in and bring their questions to Painter.

“We have people come in every day with bugs, weed issues, or just a photo of something,” said Painter, “We try to find the best information and resources for their problems.”

After joining the Peace Corps in the early 1980’s doing small-scale vegetable and livestock production and working as a county agent in Oregon for a few years, Painter went to Washington State University (WSU) and received her Ph.D. in agricultural economics. She worked at WSU and U of I for several years in various positions while also running her own small fleece business from her sheep flock on the side.

“Now I have an empty nest and I’m starting a new adventure.” said Painter.

Painter is no stranger to the Northwest either. Born in Seattle, she was raised on a cattle and alfalfa farm in central Washington. After living in Colfax, Wash., for the last 25 years and her two daughters off to college, she was ready for a new job.

“It seemed like a good move. The office seemed really nice and friendly and the job seemed great,” said Painter, “I like to find solutions to problems and I really like working with growers and agriculture, so this job just seemed perfect for me rather than being a desk job I had before.”

Painter has some ideas for her new position. She wants to increase programs available for people to participate in and be successful in agriculture. She is also interested in having a hay or cereal school, where educators or speakers are brought together to host a one-day program for growers in the area.

Painter is also very passionate about organic production. She has been working on a project where a small portion of a farm is dedicated to growing organically. Painter believes that if you can grow organic successfully and overcome barriers, like high fertility issues and weeds, it can be a very profitable niche.

Changing weather is another thing Painter hopes to help with.

“We are facing more volatile weather and weather patterns,” said Painter, “I’ve been involved in some very large projects at U of I trying to look at how best to be resilient to changes in the weather; too wet and cool, or too hot and dry.”

Variety trials are held to see if crops that are better adapted to the changing weather can be found.

If need be, Painter is also willing to share her knowledge of being a business owner selling her own fleece online, which she developed into her own successful company, with others.

“I’d like to take that experience and help others who want to do that because it’s hard,” said Painter, “It’s very challenging.”

As of now, Painter is busy settling down in Bonners Ferry. She’s already purchased a home: a 100-year-old farm house on a couple acres to give her lots of room to garden. Gardening is a huge passion of Painter’s.

“I think I’ve only missed having a garden one or two summers since I was four or five years old,” said Painter, “It’s so satisfying to plant things and have the challenges to have them produce.”

She’s also had fun exploring and going up to the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge with her dog Van, short for the U of I Vandals.

“I just really love how beautiful it is up here,” said Painter.