Idaho Reaches 75% in Census Participation

The U.S. Census announced today that Idaho's participation rate has reached 75 percent. Door-to-door work begins Saturday.

What's Idaho's Beef? It's National Prime Rib Day

According to Idaho Agricultural Statistics, there are more than two million head of cattle and calves in Idaho. The value of all that cattle is more than two billion dollars. Idaho beef production accounts for about two percent of nationwide production. University of Idaho Extension offers additional insights. Click here to read on.

Idaho's State Seal - the Only One Designed by a Woman

Idaho's state seal [image via Wikipedia]. The Gem State is the only state with a seal based on a design by a woman. Emma Edwards Green's version of the seal became official in 1891. The current version, seen above, is based on her design and made its debut in 1957. You can read about Emma and see her original version by clicking here.

Frog Month - Idaho is Home to Several Kinds

April is "Frog Month," and Idaho is home to at least six types of frogs...and toads. Above is a Columbia spotted frog [U.S. BLM image]. We also have tree frogs in Idaho, mostly in North Idaho. Frog and toad details available here.

It's "Coin Week" - Idaho's Quarter Voted "Least Liked"

[U.S. Mint image] It's national "Coin Week," and above is Idaho's quarter in the U.S. Mint series featuring states. Many coin collecting message boards and related polls designated the quarter as the "least liked" design. Read about one of the polls by clicking here. Our quarter features the peregrine falcon. I don't think anyone has anything against the bird, it's just that the bird is so big and the state picture is so small. Locally, I heard a lot of discussion about why the state's incredible scenery was neglected in the design. The Idaho quarter was released in June of 2007. 581,4000,000 coins were minted.

Kindergarten Day - 22,000 Public Students in ID

Today is Kindergarten Day, which is celebrated in honor of Freidrich Froebel, the "inventor" of kindergarten in Germany in 1837. About 22,000 children are enrolled in public school kindergarten in Idaho. Kindergarten is not compulsory in Idaho.

National Volunteer Week - Idahoans are Generous with their Time

This is National Volunteer Week, and according to NationalService.gov, Idahoans volunteer almost 54 hours per person, per year. That ranks the state third nationwide in terms of most time served. Almost 375,000 of us volunteer each year. The Idaho Food Bank sent out a special call for volunteers this week to prepare for the Letter Carriers Food Drive in May. Looking for other volunteer opportunities? This federal government link has an interactive program to hook people up with programs.