Agriculture and more - in the High Desert

   What a little water won't do for the desert! New visitors or vacationers are often shocked to learn what an agricultural area the Magic Valley, in southern Idaho is. Tens of thousands of acres here are host to crops ranging from corn to potatoes, peas, hay, onions, barley, even water melons! Probably the predominant crop here is corn. Thousands of prolific acres of corn grow seven or eight feet high, maybe more. The Magic Valley provides much of the world with corn, Japan being a major consumer, among others. Enjoy Your Life
   An abundance of water comes from the snake river, and run-off from snow melts on the nearby mountains, is delivered mostly by an extensive canal system. The desert here blossoms with not only edible crops, but is home to a growing number of sod farms, vineyards and wineries, tree farms, and country landscape centers. There are high desert golf courses, besides the fabulous courses in the Snake River canyon, that are watered by countless hundreds (or thousands) or crystal clear springs. Live Better - Yet Cheaper
   These farms, vineyards, golf courses, and related industry, supply thousands of workers with gainful employment. Fish farms are numerous here in the Magic Valley. You'll find them both up on the desert plain, located usually on small winding streams, and much larger ones down in the Snake River canyon. The town of Buhl, just 14 miles west of Twin Falls, is the trout capital of the world. If you visit the Buhl area, just 4 miles north or town, down in the canyon, is Clear Lakes trout farm, a must see. Besides the millions of fish you'll see there, a very nice park with an underground tunnel leads to a large window. This gives a view of a show pond with huge trout, maybe a sturgeon or two, and other fish native to this area.
   Clear Lakes Country club is also located here, lush greens with beautiful home sites, trophy fish ponds, a restaurant & bar, all bordered by the Snake River on one side, and sheer canyon walls on the other. A real paradise exists here for the golfer, fisherman, boater, rafter, or kayak enthusiast. Or, it is simply a very nice place to take the kids for a picnic. The small town of Buhl is only a few miles up out of the canyon. Buhl has a couple small hotels, 2 larger grocery stores, an array of restaurants, and some interesting small stores and shops. More tourist attractions are nearby, maybe we'll reveal some of them in our next post. Hope you enjoyed today's taste of the Magic Valley of Idaho.



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