01/19/07 YFR, Batt

Roger and Gayle Batt can easily be described as a young Southwestern Idaho power couple. He is a lobbyist for several ag concerns and she worked for the Idaho Water Users Association. The Batts live near Homedale and Wilder, each coming from farming families. Roger Batt says agriculture is an integral part of the Idaho economy. BATT "As our population increase society begins to understand agriculture even else and that's why it's so important for us as a community, as a state to educate them about the importance of agriculture. Eight billion dollars comes from agriculture. The average age of the Idaho farmer right now is 54 years old. We are losing people and we really need some younger farmers and ranchers to hopefully be brought up to help sustain that heritage that we have." Gayle and Roger say the Farm Bureau has been ready and willing to stand up for its members. GAYLE "I love teaming up with Farm Bureau and we got to go in and take some stands that otherwise they weren't being taken." ROGER "And we work on so many different ag issues. Farm Bureau has been a really good supporter of that." Gayle and Roger Batt, Idaho Young Farmers and Ranchers. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott