Carol Guthrie
Inkom, Idaho
Coming from a ranching family, it was only natural for Carol Guthrie and her husband James to settle down on a ranch along the Portneuf River south of Inkom.
The Portneuf River, as it meandered through their property, created problems for the Guthrie’s as runoff caused extensive soil erosion each year. Taking the problem in stride, Carol and Jim began the multi-year process of turning an out-of-control river bed into a prized riparian zone by installing various erosion control measures. Today, the ranch is a model for soil conservation rehabilitation and the Guthries have hosted numerous tours and received state-wide recognition for their efforts.
In addition to her work on the ranch, Ms. Guthrie has become an advocate for agricultural literacy for Idaho students. She has been a member of the Idaho AG in the Classroom Association for over 18 years, and was awarded the Idaho Ag in the Classroom Advocate in 2009 by the Association. She has taken responsibility for hosting tours, workshops, and feeding teacher across the state who participate in Idaho Ag in the Classroom activities.
Concurrently, Ms. Guthrie has had a major leadership role in county, state and national Farm Bureau efforts, particularly in Ag literacy initiatives. In all of her roles, Ag literacy has been her passion. She created a mobile “Ag In the Classroom” class room to take agriculture’s story to the schools while a member of the Idaho Farm Bureau board. Beginning with a single mobile classroom, the program now has three mobile classrooms contained in trailers where students can learn about Idaho wheat, water, and learn to milk “Maggie” the cow.
Ms. Guthrie has been very active in civic causes, particularly in local and state Republican Party issues. She has served on local precinct committees, and serves as treasurer for the SE Idaho Republican Women’s Association. Her goal is to help “ag-minded” candidates be elected to local and state offices.
She and Jim are the parents of four children.