Robust Ag Economy

 Idaho Governor Butch Otter recently met with Jake Putnam and Steve Ritter of the Idaho Farm Bureau to discuss the importance of Young Farmers and Ranchers to Idaho Agriculture. The Governor thinks organizations like YF and R not only build leaders but improve the state's robust Ag Economy. They asked the Governor: Idaho’s Young Farmers and Ranchers, how much of a part do they play in Idaho’s economy?

His answer: “You have to realize that in a $51.5 billion dollar economy, hopefully we are going to grow that to $60, but agriculture will always be a player either in farm gate or ranch gate production, manufacturing or marketing.”

 I went to another source…Shane Stevenson, who teaches Ag Sciences in the Meridian School District: “I think the importance of the Idaho YF & R in Idaho’s economy is pretty essential. It’s gonna’ be close to a $60 billion dollar/year industry and it’s certainly a lot of what Idaho’s foundation is built on and regardless if it’s the new exciting thing or not, Idahoan’s still have to eat and Idahoans will make a lot of money off of it but essentially Idaho’s going to play a pretty big role in feeding the nation and the rest of the world.”

 Those in the know in agriculture think alike.