On Tuesday, February 18, representatives of Idaho’s sugar industry made a visit to the Idaho State Capitol to speak with Legislators about the importance of sugarbeets to the state. The day began with presentations to the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee by John McCreedy, President & CEO of Amalgamated Sugar and Randall Grant, President of the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association. Early in the afternoon, these presentations were also made to the House Agricultural Affairs Committee.

 

 

John McCreedy’s presentation covered the history of Amalgamated Sugar and a look at some of Amalgamated Sugar’s future projects. McCreedy concluded with a summary of how US Sugar Policy works and some insight on the nutritional aspect of sugar.

 

 

Randall Grant spoke to the committee about his farming operation and how sugarbeets impact growers in the state. Grant also gave each committee a review of the 2019 sugarbeet crop.

 

 

That afternoon, Amalgamated Sugar and the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association co-hosted a legislative reception at the Idaho State Museum. Approximately 80 people attended the event. Along with many state legislators and Idaho Congressional delegation staff, attendees included members of Amalgamated Sugar staff, members of Snake River Sugar Company’s Board of Directors, and members of Idaho Sugarbeet Grower Association’s Board of Directors.

 

 

Idaho Governor, Brad Little also attended the event, and spoke to attendees about the importance of the sugar industry in the state of Idaho, and the perseverance and adaptability of Idaho’s sugarbeet growers.

 

 

Amalgamated Sugar and the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association would like to thank Governor Little, state legislators and other reception guests for attending this event and hearing more about the role of Idaho’s sugar industry.