On September 19, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m., the Howe Farms will be recognized as an official Idaho Century Farm, honoring over 100 years of continuous family ownership and agricultural legacy. The presentation, with an historical slide show presented by Terry Howe, will be held at the Boundary County Museum, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
The Idaho Century Farm and Ranch program, a partnership of the Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Historical Society, was created to recognize the importance and extraordinary contributions of Idaho’s farming and ranching pioneers by honoring those families who have farmed or ranched the same land their ancestors did 100 years ago. With this designation, Howe Farms joins a distinguished group of multigenerational farms and ranches that have helped shape Idaho’s rural landscape, economy, and way of life.
The story of Howe Farms began in 1925 when O.F. Howe—originally from Iowa—purchased homestead properties in the Kootenai Valley, converting flood-prone land into productive farmland through early reclamation efforts. O.F., a watchmaker, jeweler, and optometrist by trade, saw opportunity in the Idaho soil. He partnered with his son Don, who earned a degree in Agronomy from the University of Idaho during the Great Depression, marking the family’s full transition into modern farming.
Don developed the farm through innovation and perseverance. Over the decades, Don expanded operations, introduced new farming methods, and served as a leader in the agricultural community, including service with the Idaho Wheat Commission, the National Association of Wheat Growers, and in the Idaho State Senate. Don modernized the operation further and formed Howe Farms, Inc. in 1960.
Don’s son, Terry, continued stewardship of the land, using his background in business management and agricultural economics. The Howes have upheld a tradition of resilience and excellence across four generations. Today, the next generation stands ready to carry that legacy forward, with Andy Howe’s daughter poised to become the farm’s fifth-generation steward.
This award is dedicated to those whose hard work and vision helped shape the land into what it is today. The Idaho Century Farm designation honors not only the Howe family’s agricultural contributions, but also their deep respect for the land and its enduring value to the state.
For information on the Idaho Century Farm & Ranch Program, visit Century Farm and Ranch Program | Idaho State Historical Society
The Idaho State Historical Society is an extraordinary system of cultural and historic resources comprised of the Idaho State Museum, State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, and the Historic Sites Program. Our vision is to make history essential and accessible through dynamic and gratifying services that inspire, enrich, and engage all Idahoans. Learn more at http://www.history.idaho.gov.
