When you are tending to a fruit tree, you need to do everything you can to make sure nothing goes to waste and that the tree is providing as much as possible.

This requires the gardener to constantly be looking at the tree as an ecosystem where some branches are producing large amounts of fruit, some branches are under-producing, and others aren't producing at all.

With the producing branches, it is important to harvest them on time so the fruit doesn't fall to the ground and rot. With those that are under-producing or not producing at all, it is often important to trim or completely remove the branch so the whole tree can be optimized. It is a waste to have water providing the key components to a branch that isn't producing.

Let's imagine for a second that the great state of Idaho is one big fruit tree; then in this scenario, the gardener is Mr. Jeff Sayer, director of the Department of Commerce. It is his job to manage the economy in our state and drive it to produce more while keeping the "tree" healthy.

When you sit back and realize all the industries and people performing jobs in our state, it is an incredible factory where we all use our talents and the resources of our great state to create value for each other. When you stop and grab a sandwich at a local cafe, there are multiple people who helped make that sandwich possible and many others who will benefit from the sale of that sandwich. Every dollar spent has ripples. Those dollars being spent in our state are the kind of thing that undoubtedly make Jeff Sayer a happy man.

As our state continues to be a leader in natural resource harvesting, we need to also acknowledge that we are leaders in many other areas. Not only do we produce more potatoes on average than any other state in the union, but we also produce more patents on average than any other state. Idaho's economy is strong and becoming stronger.

This evening at 6 at The Cellar, 317 Sherman Ave., you will have the opportunity to come listen to Mr. Sayer and ask him questions as he is interviewed by the Innovation Collective at our October Fireside Chat. As always, the event is no cost to the public, with wine and beer served at no cost, but you must tip your waiter.

The Innovation Collective exists to spark innovation and execution. Our primary passion is to be the group that encourages North Idaho toward becoming a tech startup hub. We do this by providing more than 50 free events, a co-working space, an annual conference, and members-only events. For more information on the Innovation Collective go to www.InnovateCDA.com or email us at [email protected].

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• Come hear Commerce Director Jeff Sayer tonight at 6 at The Cellar, 316 E. Sherman Ave.