Eastern Idaho Ag Hall of Fame announces this year’s recipients

The following is a news release from the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame.

IDAHO FALLS — Six stalwarts of Idaho agriculture will be inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame March 21 during a banquet in Fort Hall.

This year’s inductees are Rick Phillips of Pocatello, Scott Brown of Soda Springs, Richard Larsen of Dubois, Marc Beitia of American Falls and Mark and Stephanie Mickelsen of Idaho Falls.

The EIAHF recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the industry over the years.

This year’s inductees will be officially admitted into the hall of fame March 21 during a reception and banquet at the Sho-Ban Hotel Events Center in Fort Hall. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the banquet starts at 6:30 p.m.

For tickets, please visit: bit.ly/2025EIAHF

The EIAHF was formed in 1972 to honor men and women who have made extraordinary contributions to agriculture and Eastern Idaho, a region that remains a significant center for agricultural production in Idaho.

About this year’s inductees:

Mark and Stephanie Mickelsen

The Mickelsens produce potatoes, seed potatoes, canola and wheat on their Idaho Falls farm. Their commitment to excellence has driven them to explore and acquire land with optimal soil for potato farming, taking them to locations such as Wapello, Arco and Ashton.

Scott Brown

Brown, a fourth-generation farmer, farms about 11,500 acres in Caribou County. He has an extensive record of industry leadership and advocacy experience representing the grain industry on local, state, national and international levels.

Richard J. Larsen

What began as a partnership with his brother, Blaine, in the hay industry, has evolved for Larsen into an international hay, potato and grain business. He currently farms over 5,000 acres, including organic and conventional products.

Marc Beitia

Beitia has been involved with agriculture throughout his life. He began his teaching career in 1984 as an agricultural educator at Raft River High School in Malta. His FFA programs have been recognized three times as a National Model of Excellence by the National FFA Association.

Rick G. Phillips

From his early days on the family farm in Dayton, Phillips has spent his career working with, or promoting, agriculture in Idaho. Recently retired from the J.R. Simplot Co., Phillips has helped promote multifaceted agriculture programs in food production, ranching, nutrients and technology in Eastern Idaho and internationally.

Ed Duren Memorial Award

Also being honored with the Edward P. Duren Memorial Young Producer Award during this year’s EIAHF event are Blake Skidmore of Terreton, Trey Orme of Ashton and Abby Rowe of American Falls.
This award, created by the EIAHF in 2018, recognizes innovative agriculture producers under the age of 40.

About this year’s Ed Duren award recipients:

Trey Orme

Orme grew up the Orme family farm east of Ashton side by side with his dad raising wheat, barley, alfalfa and beef cattle. He purchased his first farm ground, 320 acres, in 2015, where he continues to raise wheat and barley.

Abby Rowe

As a fifth-generation Idaho potato farmer, Rowe’s farming roots run deep. She grew up on the original homestead of her ancestors that dates back to the Carey Act of 1908. After graduation from university, she was able to bring her agronomy and management skills home to the family farm where she manages 800 acres of potatoes.

Blake Skidmore

Skidmore grew up helping on the family farm in all aspects of swathing, raking, baling and combining wheat. He has also been involved in digging potatoes and running the cellar crew and was a key figure in the turning of 200 acres of flood-irrigated ground into a ditch feed linear.

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