Discover the Voice of the West: Engaging Stories & In-Depth Insights by Diana Hooley

From the untamed landscapes of Idaho to the evolving world of agriculture and climate change, Diana Hooley’s journalism and research bring the heart of the American West to life. Featured in Idaho Magazine, AgProud Idaho, The Idaho Statesman, Twin Falls Times-News, and more, her work captures the stories that shape communities, history, and the environment.

With a career spanning investigative journalism, cultural commentary, and academic research, Hooley’s articles dive into the resilience of farmers, the mysteries of desert life, and the shifting tides of politics and conservation.

Explore her compelling narratives in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals—where storytelling meets insight, and history meets the future. Here are five of her most recent journalism pieces:

  1. Bad Luck and Trouble – Idaho Magazine (March 2025)
    • A look back at ranching at the turn of the century in sagebrush country.
  2. Waiting for Snow – Idaho Magazine (December 2024)
    • A reflective piece about the significance of snow, especially in the arid lands of the west.
  3. Winter Ranching in Owyhee Country – AgProud Idaho (January 2021)
    • A deep dive into the challenges and rewards of winter ranching in one of Idaho’s most rugged landscapes.
  4. Indian Cove, A Nick in the Desert – Idaho Magazine (January 2021)
    • A historical and cultural exploration of Indian Cove, a unique and often overlooked part of the Idaho desert.
  5. New and Wondrous – Idaho Magazine (December 2020)
    • A story capturing the awe and discovery of Idaho’s ever-changing natural beauty.

Diana Hooley’s Articles:

1. The Land and Its People: Agriculture, Ranching, and Rural Life

These articles highlight the struggles and adaptations of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Idaho, often focusing on sustainability and resilience.

  • Idaho Farmers Go Green – AgProud Idaho (April 2021)
  • Winter Ranching in Owyhee Country – AgProud Idaho (January 2021)
  • Potato Land Conversion Post-COVID-19 – AgProud Idaho (June 2020)
  • Idaho Farmers Evolve on Energy Conservation – The Post Falls Register (May 18, 2019)
  • Idaho Farmers Evolve on Energy Conservation – The Idaho Press Tribune (May 15, 2019)
  • Not a Pig State—But the Sow Still Sings – Idaho Magazine (June 2019)
  • New Republican Administration Not Fighting for Ag – The Owyhee Avalanche (March 2017)
  • If Migrant Labor for Agriculture Is Cut Off, We’ll All Be Importing Food Instead – The Idaho Statesman (March 2017)

2. The Wild Beauty of Idaho: Landscapes and Natural History

These pieces celebrate the natural environment of Idaho, from its deserts to its rivers, offering historical and personal reflections.

  • Desert Love: A Slow Reveal – Idaho Magazine (May 2021)
  • Indian Cove, A Nick in the Desert – Idaho Magazine (January 2021)
  • Leadore: Colorful History on the High Prairie – Idaho Magazine (April 2020)
  • Go with the Flow: Water Witching – Idaho Magazine (November 2018)
  • Two Sides to Owyhee Monument Proposal – The Idaho Statesman (September 2016)
  • Brokering Snake River Water Rights – The Twin Falls Times-News (April 2016)

3. Climate Change and Environmental Issues

These articles focus on the effects of climate change, renewable energy, and environmental policy in Idaho.

  • Solar Power – AgProud Idaho (March 2020)
  • Largest Solar-Powered Farm in Idaho Sees a Profit – Twin Falls Times-News (Magicvalley.com) (September 2019)
  • Think Through the Long-Term Effects of Climate Change – The Idaho Post Register (May 2018)
  • Yes, Virginia, and Idaho, There Is Climate Change – The Idaho Statesman (December 2017)
  • Is Cheat Grass Good or Evil for the Environment? – The Idaho Statesman (June 2017)
  • May Our Earth Find Peace in These Changing Climate Times – The Idaho Statesman (December 2014)

4. History and Cultural Reflections

These stories weave personal narratives, local history, and Idaho’s cultural identity.

  • The Forgotten Pandemic: 1918 Flu in Idaho – Idaho Magazine (June 2020)
  • Lost to the World – Idaho Magazine (April 2019)
  • Remembering Elma – Idaho Magazine (February 2019)
  • New and Wondrous – Idaho Magazine (December 2020)
  • Cake on a Bottle – Idaho Magazine (November 2019)
  • The Joys of Being Passed By – Idaho Magazine (October 2019)

5. Politics, Social Issues, and Rural Perspectives

These articles engage with political, economic, and social debates, particularly as they relate to Idaho’s communities.

  • Our Schools Have Become Killing Grounds – Idaho Press (June 19, 2022)
  • Politics, Not the Bible, Drive Religion’s Role in the Abortion Battle – The Idaho Statesman (May 23, 2019)
  • Painful Change Is Coming for Ag Users – The Idaho Statesman (March 2016)