Interesting & Inspiring People: Erik Olson
“Small farms are a thing of the past,” Erik Olson’s voice thoughtful. He continued to explain that small farms comprise less than one percent of the agricultural community. Olson is part of that one percent as he continues his family tradition.
He learned the family trade early on under the wings of previous generations. “They’re there to help you and guide you along the way.” Olson recalls making mistakes and how his father, Bob Olson, grandfather and uncle, Gary Olson, were easy going and would come alongside to help.
Olson left the farm for college but passion for farming drew him back to his roots before completing a traditional college education.
Today Olson successfully runs 3,000 acres of crops ranging from wheat, barley, canola, garbanzo and more with his father, and uncle. These generations partner to sell grain, purchase chemicals, maintain the mechanisms modern farmers appreciate and more.
“And more” sums up Olson’s unending contributions to the family farm, industry and community.
Farming tends to frustrate those unfamiliar with the practices. Excessive seasonal dust, odors from fertilizers and rumbling tractors and equipment are irritations to many Panhandle transplants. These nuisances often lead to complaints and a burden upon farmers to “fix it”.
Unfortunately, the “fix” often comes in the form of exchanging prime agricultural land for commercial and residential use. Olson recalls the robust agriculture that comprised Coeur d’Alene and Rathdrum less than two decades ago. Farmland turned into streets, subdivisions and strip malls. Growth isn’t a problem for Olson but he contemplates ways to educate migrants to the Panhandle about agriculture.
“Education is necessary,” Olson explains. “People need to understand food must be grown, raised- it doesn’t just come from a store.” The inconveniences and discomforts from farming are what put food on store shelves, a family’s table and in a person’s tummy. Olson seeks opportunities to teach others why farmers choose practices like using chemicals, genetically modifying foods, burning fields and more.
His wife, Cassie Olson, shares the passion to educate. Through her work for the Boundary Soil Conservation District she partners with local Farm Bureau members and use Maggi the Cow to teach students where food comes from providing an opportunity for students to interact with the farming process from start to finish.
Investing in dialogue and decisions shaping Idaho’s agricultural process is another important facet to Olson’s farming passion. Purposefully Olson takes time each year to meet with members of the Idaho Grain Producers Association in Boise, Idaho. He is more than a member of the IGPA, he also serves as a board member of the Crop Residue Burning Program.
Passion keeps Olson cultivating both food for plates and important conversations about the direction of the industry he loves. Boundary County is grateful for farmers like you Erik Olson!