Pat Takasugi's Biography:

Pat attended 1st-8th grade at Wilder Holmes Elementary & Junior High Schools. Following graduation from Vallivue High School, he attended and graduated from the College of Idaho, where he received a degree in political science.

Upon graduation, Pat volunteered for the U.S. Army where he served 5 years of active service and another 5 years of reserve service. While serving he achieved the rank of Captain and qualified for Airborne wings, the Ranger tab, and the Special Forces “Green Beret.”

After his military service, he returned to Wilder where he began farming on 32 acres and with a large loan. Today, Pat farms in excess of 1,600 acres near Wilder and Homedale. He is also a partner in an onion packing shed, Snake River Produce.

Throughout his career he has combined full-time farming with work on behalf of diverse community, state and national organizations. His most noticeable role has been not only an advocate for agriculture, but as the Secretary/Director of Agriculture for the State of Idaho for over 10 years. Serving 3 governors, Phil Batt, Dirk Kempthorne and Jim Risch, he was also involved with Idaho’s award winning noxious weed program, the Idaho Preferred marketing program, the Idaho invasive species program and several other programs while at the State Department of Agriculture.

Pat has been active in a number of organizations, including the Food Producers of Idaho, the Canyon County Farm Bureau, the Canyon County Deputy Sherriff Patrol Reserve, the school board, Boy Scout Troop 277, MADD, the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association, Leadership Idaho Association, and the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce.

Pat and his wife Suzanne are the parents of three children. They share a love of the farm and outdoors with most Idahoans and especially enjoy the western sunset on the Owyhee foothills.