The Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame

PRESENTS THE

2022 Ed Duren Memorial
Young Producer Award

The Ed Duren Memorial Young Producer Award recognizes ranchers/farmers/food producers, 35 years of age or younger, who are directly engaged in production agriculture for their commitment, innovation and leadership/service benefitting the Agricultural industry. With the average age of Idaho farmers upward of 57, these award recipients represent the exciting – and critical – future of agriculture in Eastern Idaho. 2020 was the first year a class of award winners was recognized by the EIAHF.

Launched in 2018, this award is presented in memory of Edward Paul Duren, a man whose positive impact on agriculture in Eastern Idaho is beyond measure. A University of Idaho Extension Livestock Specialist based in Soda Springs, Idaho, Ed spent a 39-year career (and many more years as a professor emeritus) providing education, outreach and leadership to producers and organizations across Idaho and beyond.

Ed was nationally and internationally respected as a trailblazer, author and educator, and was a tireless advocate for the involvement of youth in agriculture and agricultural experiences. He pioneered a holistic ranch business model he titled “integrated resource management,” and was instrumental in linking university faculty and allied industry with Idaho farmers and ranchers for applied on-farm research and demonstrations responding to locally-identified needs.

As well as state and national leadership, Ed served for several years as a board member of the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. He was inducted into both the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame and the Eastern Idaho Horsemen’s Hall of Fame, and received many other honors and awards, but was particularly gratified when a young Idaho farmer or rancher was successful, and in turn, gave back to the industry.

Ed had a lifelong passion for family, agriculture, education and draft horses.

The recipient of the Ed Duren Memorial Young Producers Award is selected by the EIAHF Board from candidates identified by the EIAHF Board and Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame inductees. The recipient is recognized at the annual Reception & Banquet.

2020 Ed Duren Memorial Young Producer Award Recipients

Tyson Coles, Milo, Idaho

Tyson has brought attention to the benefits of regenerative agriculture by improving soil health and crop/pasture productivity on dry and irrigated ground with traditional and cover crops, multi-species and rotational grazing, and other practices. His system has attracted national attention from Ag media and those interested in learning about diversified and sustainable crop/graze systems, he hosts visitors and tours, and has been a presenter at farm and livestock educational events. Tyson serves on the board of the East Side Soil & Water Conservation District.

Steve Shively, Terreton, Idaho

Steve is a fourth generation farmer in the Terreton area. He is a vested partner in Shively Custom Farming LLC, and runs a stand-alone Ag commodity trucking business. Always interested in farm technology and innovation, Steve plants and harvests about 1,000 acres of corn, custom stacks thousands of hay and straw bales, harvests corn and grain, markets commodities nation-wide, and worked with University and industry researchers as an early adopter and proponent of irrigation water efficiency measures including LESA sprinkler modifications. Steve serves on the Mud Lake Water Users board.

David Mundt, Firth, Idaho

David raises grain crops and fresh-market potatoes and was among the first to test, then commercially grow and harvest the ancient grain, Quinoa, as a new crop for the area, contributing to the acreage necessary for a Quinoa processing plant to establish in Idaho Falls. David is a graduate of Northwest Farm Credit’s AgVision program and has served as an officer on the North Bingham Soil Conservation board.

Luke Hicks, Rigby, Idaho

Luke operates a diversified farm/livestock operation. As well as irrigated farms where he raises barley, wheat, silage corn and alfalfa, he has owned and rented pasture. Luke has developed a vertically integrated livestock program with raised and purchased calves, stockers, grass cattle, yearlings/feedlot cattle and cow/calf pairs. Luke is a respected authority and highly involved in water and water quality issues, the youngest to ever serve on the Committee of Nine. 

Past Recipients of the Ed Duren Memorial Young Producer Award