Kootenai Electric Cooperative Donates $2,500 to Boost Farm to Table Program

Kootenai Electric Cooperative presented a $2,500 check to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Feb. 24, continuing what fairgrounds officials describe as a longtime partnership supporting one of North Idaho's most tangible agriculture education efforts.

The money goes toward Farm to Table, an annual program hosted at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds that brings fifth graders face-to-face with local producers. Students explore where their food comes from, ask questions of the farmers and ranchers who grow it, and build a broader understanding of Idaho agriculture and the industries tied to it. The 2026 program is scheduled for May, when hundreds of additional students are expected to visit the fairgrounds and experience agriculture firsthand.

Fairgrounds officials noted in a March 5 news release that last year's Farm to Table event exceeded expectations, though no specific attendance figures were provided. The KEC donation signals that both organizations are betting on continued growth.

North Idaho State Fair staff and Kootenai Electric Cooperative Trust board members were present for the check presentation. Those pictured included Kerri Thoreson, Blake McLean, Brittney Ratzlaff, Hannah Booth, Alexcia Jordan, Connie Sumner-Kaupp and Garry Thompson.

The Kootenai County Fairgrounds hosts Farm to Table as part of its broader mission to support agriculture, education and community engagement across North Idaho. KEC's role in sustaining that mission, according to the fairgrounds, has been significant: "Their ongoing partnership has played an important role in sustaining agricultural education opportunities for local youth."

More information about the May program is available at kcfairgrounds.com.