Farmers Union Annual Board Meeting - January 10, 2026 | 1-2 PM
Riverside Hotel - 2900 W. Chinden Boulevard, Garden City, Idaho 83714
Timeline
First Communication from Farmer’s Union About Wastewater Contract
Signed Treated Wastewater Contract
First Public Mention of Contract at the 2025 Annual Meeting
Protect Our Historic Irrigation Rights
Farmers Union Ditch Company owns water shares in the following local reservoirs / rivers:
Arrowrock - 2,779 Acre-Feet
Anderson Ranch - 5,593 Acre-Feet
Lucky Peak 10,000 Acre-Feet
Board Members see the possible sale of our irreplaceable historic water shares in local reservoirs as a “significant potential financial opportunity” for the company. Proceeds from such a sale cannot be distributed directly to shareholders. This raises a critical question: What is the Board's true motivation?
Selling off our natural water rights in exchange for a revocable contract for treated sewage wastewater offers shareholders no benefit while jeopardizing our water quality and supply.
This affects more than just Farmers Union Shareholders.
Multiple irrigation companies receive their water deliveries through the Farmers Union canal.This will distribute wastewater containing persistent contaminants—such as PFAS and pharmaceutical residues—directly onto lawns, home gardens, school playgrounds, sports facilities, and into groundwater aquifers. Affected irrigation:
Farmers Union Ditch Company
Capital View Irrigation Inc
Lexington Hills Inc
Boise Valley Irrigation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Farmers Union Irrigation and Eagle Sewer District began talks for this contract back in spring, 2023. We filed a freedom of information request to get a copy of that communication. View the letter here.
The contract was signed in October, 2024. No public notice was given until January, 2025.
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Class A sewage discharge does not remove all chemicals and pollutants, it is only filtered and treated to reduce bacteria. It still contains:
PFAS “forever chemicals”
Pharmaceuticals (birth control hormones, antidepressants, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs)
Nonlyphenols - found in high levels in Boise's treated effluent and known to feminize fish (documented in dozens of scientific studies) and act as endocrine disrupters in mammals.
Heavy metals
Microplastics
Industrial chemicals
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When we asked why this deal was done behind closed doors, the Farmer’s Union Board told us: “Because we can.”
We find this response deeply inadequate and dismissive. As shareholders, we expect—and deserve—leadership that prioritizes transparency, actively represents the interests and concerns of all members, and engages openly with those it serves.
Farmer’s Union Ditch Company Board Members Attempt to Defend Eagle Sewer Wastewater Agreement
Claim: Shareholders were notified of the contract between Farmer’s Union and Eagle Sewer District.
At 1:35 – Corey Blaine says that shareholders were notified of the contract via “nearly 500 postcards that were mailed out.”
Our response: While it is true that nearly 500 postcards were mailed out to shareholders about the wastewater contract on December 12, 2025, the contract between Farmer’s Union and Eagle Sewer District was signed on October 28, 2024. View the contract here.
The Farmer’s Union Board’s first public mention of the contract with Eagle Sewer took place at the Annual meeting on Jan 11, 2025. View their meeting minutes on their website here. All outreach and communication from the Farmer’s Union Board to shareholders regarding the Eagle Sewer District contract has occurred only after public concerns emerged in late 2025.
Claim: The wastewater contract allows Farmer’s Union shareholders to extend their irrigation season.
At 1:08 – Bert Browen states, “The partnership with Eagle Sewer allows us to possibly extend our water season.'‘
Our response: The attorney for Farmer’s Union, Andrew Waldera, said in the Jan 11, 2025 Farmer’s Union Annual Meeting that adding the sewer wastewater into the Farmer’s Union canal could increase the water season by 2-3 days per year. View the Jan 11, 2025 Annual Meeting Minutes here.
Claim: More growth in the valley means higher water demand for the Farmer’s Union canal.
At 1:05 – Bert Browen states, “With all the growth in the valley, we are going to need more water.”
Our response: The growth in the area does not translate to more demand on the Farmer’s Union Canal. With the growth of the valley and new subdivisions being developed, the Farmer’s Union Canal water shares are unaffected. The canal has, and will have, 458 shareholders; more water shares are not created when a piece of land with water rights is sold for development.
