Barb Bierman Batie spent decades reporting on agriculture and rural Nebraska, but she was not a silent observer. She was involved in agriculture and in so very many aspects of her community, generously giving of her time and her talents and encouraging others to do the same.
Barb Batie talks farming as the Nebraska Press Women and the Iowa affiliate co-host the 2011 National Federation of Press Women Conference in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area. The first event was a pre-tour to Nebraska's farm and ranch country, and one of the first stops was at the Batie farm near Lexington for "Coffee in the Cornfield," plus Barb's homemade cinnamon rolls. Always an advocate for agriculture and family farms, Barb talked to NFPW members from Alaska to Virginia.
Barb Batie does morning chicken chores at her farm near Lexington, Neb., in April 2024. Batie shared her poultry knowledge with Dawson County 4-H’ers, creating a strong poultry program and some funny memories.
During the Oct. 10 pre-tour for the 2025 Nebraska Press Women Fall Conference in Red Cloud, Barb Batie sat beside a sculpture of writer Willa Cather made by a relative of her husband Don.
People are also reading…
Barb Batie and Mary Pat Finn-Hoag, who was the longtime ag writer for the Norfolk Daily News, enjoy some ice cream Sept. 11 during the welcome event for the 2025 National Federation of Press Women Conference in Golden, Colo. Another thing they have in common is 40-plus years of membership in Nebraska Press Women and NFPW.
Don and Barb Batie were Midwest Messenger Producer Progress Reporters, giving bi-weekly updates from their farm through 2011.
"I learned a lot during that fall in the saddle, cowboy lessons I have never forgotten." Barb Bierman Batie pays tribute to a longtime employee who became like family.
Raised in small town South Dakota, Janelle is enjoying her time as editor of Tri-State Neighbor and Midwest Messenger while raising kids, chickens and no till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.
Janelle Atyeo
Editor
