For Alex Reed, the family legacy is everything to him. He always knew he wanted to farm and when the opportunity to purchase his original family farm and homestead presented itself in 2013, he jumped on the opportunity. The original farm and homestead have been in the family since 1916.
In 2021, the Reed Family was recognized by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Historical Society as a Century Farm. This is a significant achievement. Idaho has 450 century farms or ranches that have been in the same family for at least 100 years and includes at least 40 acres of the original land parcel.
Since Alex and his wife Leah were both raised on a farm, they really wanted that experience for their children. They have seven beautiful young children that are already involved on the family farm. Both agree that it has been an incredibly rewarding way to raise their children.
Leah has great memories of growing up on her family farm in Buhl. She remembers having potluck lunch out of her grandma’s car and the beet truck picking her up on the way home from school. Farming isn’t just a career path but truly a way of life.
The Reed’s currently grow corn, alfalfa, barley, and wheat on their farm. They added sugarbeets to their rotation this year. Alex’s dad and grandpa both grew sugarbeets along with Leah’s family, so it was special to bring them back to the farm. Alex decided to add sugarbeets not only for nostalgia, but because they are an economically viable crop. He has high respect for the Amalgamated Sugar Company and wanted to be a part of it.
A fun fact about the Reed family is that their son Abel is participating in the Youth Sugarbeet Grower Program. So not only is this Alex’s first year growing sugarbeets but also the first year for his son Abel! It has been a fun experience for them to do it together. Abel recently won the big beet contest at the Amalgamated Sugar Company Field Day event in July. So far both of them have loved growing sugarbeets and are quick to point out all the help they have received from crop consultants and fellow growers.
Not only do the Reeds have their hands full with the farm, but they also dedicate time to staying involved in the agricultural community. Both Leah and Alex are Leadership Idaho Agriculture graduates – class 40 and 35 respectively. Alex serves at the current chairman of the Twin Falls County Planning and Zoning Commission. He is also a county director for the Idaho Grain Producers Association and the past President of Twin Falls County Farm Bureau.
Alex’s late dad, Rex taught him at an early age to get engaged and give back to your community. Rex was one of the first growers to start the Idaho Grain Producers Association. The Reeds say that they feel a responsibility to serve and protect the industry that feeds and provides for their family and their future.
A special thanks to the Reed Family for feeding not only their family, but the world!
