New Farm Bureau building
On October 16th, the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation held a groundbreaking ceremony for it’s new four-story, mixed-use project in downtown Boise. It will cover half a block and feature ground floor retail, integrated parking, and office space with the Farm Bureau on the top floor, and have views of the Idaho State Capitol just steps away.
“Well, once again we welcome you here. What a great day<” said Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Presidnet Bruan Searle. “And thank you to each of you for being here today. What a historic moment for Farm Bureau.”
On October 16th, the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation held a groundbreaking ceremony for it’s new four-story, mixed-use building in downtown Boise.
“As we went forward, we always talked about someday we need more space,” said Searle.
The current two-story building sits on the corner of 5th and Washington, and was originally built in 1959. It served as the Boise office for many years, but due in part to its’ age, the Federation commissioned a feasibility study in 1999 for something larger, eventually expanding the property they owned and purchasing an entire half block.
“This is an amazing day. There's been so many discussions held and had, ideas that have come forth. We wanted a connection to the capital, we wanted our presence here and we're here,” said Searle.
“This building is going to be spectacular. I know it's been a lot of work getting to here, but we cannot wait to watch this come out of the ground and what it's going to add to the downtown,” said Tommy Ahlquist, CEO of Ahlquist Development.
“We are thrilled to be part of this building with Farm Bureau to partner on this building. It's right next to the capital and we believe that there's just a lot of users that will enjoy this building for decades to come,” said Ahlquist. “The first floor will have some retail and a new restaurant right on the corner. The 2nd floor has 99 parking stalls.”
“It'll have parking for pickups. They'll find parking in this town for pickups!” said Searle.
“And then the 3rd and 4th floor will be office with the Farm Bureau taking the top floor. Their space is amazing because they've got a great view of the capital,” said Ahlquist.
While the main headquarters for the Idaho Farm Bureau will continue to be in Pocatello, the new Boise building will be the established location for member advocacy within the state capital.
“There's no better place to be than right next to the capital and why? Why, because we want legislators to come our way and we want to go their way. We want an open door so that they feel comfortable coming into our building to have conversations, to talk about legislation that's being presented, to talk about our policy,” said Searle.
“And so we want to open up the building and allow individuals to come in, they may need meetings and so it will be, we want it to be used. That's why we're building it.”
“Whether you like it or not, policy matters. And if you're not at the table which Farm Bureau is, you might be on the menu. The Idaho Farm Bureau is always at the table,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little. “This building, all the hard work that goes (on) there, the representation, the State House, with all the state agencies, with the federal, the Farm Bureau is always here.”
“We need open doors to the capital, and they can come our way so that we can have legislators who we can sit down with,” said Searle. “Our members can come to their building and have opportunities to have conversations, agencies, other AG organizations and the likes can all have an opportunity to come to a building that will be a landmark for decades into the future and be able to sit down and have those conversations so that we can protect and promote agriculture.”
They’ll also be office space for rent that other Ag organizations could use, as well as use of the boardroom. Lombard Conrad Architects is leading the design team, and McAlvain Construction is the general contractor, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.
