The Full Story
About Sheep in the Foothills
Sheep in the Foothills is brought to you by the Idaho Wool Growers Association in collaboration with the Idaho Rangeland Resource Committee and Avimor. The goal of Sheep in the Foothills is to bring together Idaho's Sheep Industry and the people of the Treasure Valley. Sheep have played a pivotal role in shaping Idaho's history and the great state we love and live in today. Sheep in the Foothills honors this history while highlighting the present and future of the sheep industry through education and promotion.
Idaho Wool Growers Association
Founded in 1893, the Idaho Wool Growers Association exists to support and advocate for sheep producers across the state of Idaho. Its purpose is to promote the wool and sheep industry through education, promotion, and public outreach. The association also works to represent members’ interests in legislative and regulatory matters that affect their livelihoods.
History of Sheep in Idaho
Sheep have played an important role in Idaho’s history since the late 1800s, when settlers brought flocks to graze on the state’s wide open rangelands. The wool industry quickly became a major part of Idaho’s agricultural economy, supplying wool for clothing and meat for growing communities. Large sheep operations helped shape rural towns and supported jobs in herding, shearing, transportation, and textile production. Today, sheep remain important to Idaho’s economy and culture, contributing to agriculture, land stewardship, and the state’s ranching heritage.
