The origins of the Idaho Grower Shippers Association go back many years.  The Association was originally incorporated in the State of Idaho as the Idaho Traffic Association, Inc., with the original Articles of Incorporation approved by the Secretary of State, George H. Curtis on the January 5, 1942.  The actual Articles of Incorporation were signed by the Board of Directors on December 2, 1941, just a few days before the attack on Pearl Harbor that occurred on December 7, 1941.  A.G. Stanger, Chris Christensen and J.E. O’Neil were the original signators of the Articles of Incorporation.

On the 24^th of March 1945 the name of the Association was changed to the Idaho Potato and Onion Shippers Association.  Records in the Secretary of State’s office indicate the filing of this ammendment to the Articles of Incorporation was made Association President George D. Peters and Edd Moore.  Mr. Moore at the time was serving as the Secretary of the Association.  This action allowed for the membership to include onion and potato shippers in western Idaho to work together on mutual transportation issues.

As the years moved forward and the scope and mission of the association changed, a further ammendment to the Articles of Incorporation was filed on November 7, 1952, changing the name of the Association to the Idaho Shippers Association, Inc.  Harvey Schwendiman was serving as President of the Association at this time.  It was at this point that the onion and fruit shippers in western Idaho formed their own trade association.

Finally then, an additional change in the Articles of Incorparation was approved by the Secretary of State on August 11, 1960, providing for a name change by which the Association is known today:  Idaho Grower Shippers Association, Inc.  Vern Routh was serving as President Edd Moore continued his service as Secretary.

Over its’ many years of existance the Association has provided a wide variety of services to the membership.  However, the main focus of service has centered on transportation issues both on a state as well as a national level.  In days and years prior to 1980 when both rail and motor carrier transportation was deregulated, the Association provided an extensive railroad rate book keeping the membership updated on current rail rates into all markets serviced by rail.  A notation in the Board of Directors Minutes dated December 2, 1961 gives reason for the associations’ deep concern regarding rail transportation. “The ration of Rail shipments to that of Truck is about 84% to 16%.” (In favor of rail) Today those numbers have about reversed themselves.  Nonetheless, Idaho potato shippers continue to be the largest single users of refrigerated rail cars for the movement of fresh produce to the market place.

Today the Association continues its’ service to the membership in the areas of state and national legislative and regulatory matters, environmental and chemical issues, trade opportunities, packaging and labeling issues, farm legislation in general and transportation issues.

The annual meeting of the Association held each year in late summer in Sun Valley provides a continued excellent opportunity for networking throughout the industry.  The meeting is always the highlight of each marketing year and provides the appropriate kick off for a new marketing season.

The Association is governed by a Board of Directors elected from four electoral districts and includes grower shippers as well as allied members.  The Board directs the work plan of the Association which is carried out by the Association President and staff.

David A. Smith

Past President, 1980-2008