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Senate Agriculture Committee holds brief organizational meeting, introduces page and schedules rules review
Summary
Sen. Tammy Nichols convened a short organizational session of the Idaho Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the committee's page, Gage Griffin, and said the committee will begin a rules review Thursday with Vice Chair Sen. Christy Zito presenting.
Sen. Tammy Nichols, chair of the Idaho Senate Agriculture Committee, called a short organizational meeting to order and introduced the committee’s new senate page, Gage Griffin, before announcing that the committee will begin a rules review Thursday.
Nichols said the committee will aim to "elevate" agricultural issues in the state. "Agriculture is such a vital and critical part to our state and I really want this committee to elevate in its own essence and to become something that, really makes a difference here in the state," she said.
Gage Griffin, the committee's senate page and a senior at Emmett High School, spoke briefly about his background. "I'm Gage Griffin. I attend Emmett High School, and I will be graduating with the class of 2025 this year," he said. Griffin told senators he restores classic cars and has launched a clothing line focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. He said the clothing line was officially released about a week ago, is being sold locally while its website is built, and is listed on Instagram as Cyanide Clothing LLC.
During introductions, several senators described their districts and agricultural ties. Sen. Ron Taylor said he represents District 26, covering Blaine, Lincoln and Jerome counties, and called the area "primarily agricultural based." Sen. Julie VanOrden said she represents District 30 in southeast Idaho, including Bingham and Butte counties, which she described as having substantial production agriculture and related businesses. Several other members — including Sen. Carrie Summelroth, Sen. Josh Cole, Sen. Todd Lakey, Sen. Camille Blaylock and Sen. Dave Lent — gave brief personal and district backgrounds and noted ties to farming, ranching, FFA or agricultural businesses.
Sen. Christy Zito, vice chair of the committee, offered to follow up with Griffin about his suicide-prevention work. "I'm on the board of Bridging the Gap, a suicide prevention organization in Mountain Home. So at some point, when you have a few minutes, maybe we could visit about what you're doing," Zito said.
Nichols also pointed senators to materials provided in their meeting packets: a 2024 performance report from the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the department's strategic plan, asking members to review them ahead of the committee's rule review. "Thursday, we will start on the rules review and my vice chair, Senator Zito, will be giving you some more information at that time on how she wants to proceed with that," Nichols said.
The meeting consisted of introductions and orientation; no formal motions or votes were taken. Nichols closed by thanking attendees and reminding members of the Thursday meeting to begin the rules review.
