Montana Range Days Scholarship Applications Havre Montana
April 15, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Range Days Offers Three Scholarships – Due April 30

Montana Range Days Scholarship Applications Havre MontanaMontana Range Days, Inc. is an annual event that celebrates the importance of range and provides opportunities for learning about range and range management. To encourage young people to continue with education and careers in Range Science and related fields, three scholarships are offered through Montana Range Days.

Montana Range Days Scholarship ($1,000.00)

To assist young Montanan’s education of rangeland, Montana Range Days, Inc. has established the Montana Range Days Scholarship. To be eligible, the applicant must be majoring in Range Science or a related field. The scholarship winner will be awarded $1,000.00 upon successful completion of the semester of college.

Harold and Lillian Jensen Scholarship ($1,000.00)

Harold and Lillian Jensen, long time ranchers from Baker, established a scholarship of $1,000.00 annually, to assist a young person who has an interest in Range Science. Harold was a past Chairman of the Montana Range Days, Inc. Steering Committee, and was the local Chairman for the 1985 and 1986 Range Days events hosted in Baker by the Fallon county Range Committee. The recipient must be present for the presentation of this scholarship at Range Days in June! The Scholarship has to be used at a Montana University or college.

Bob Sitz Memorial Scholarship ($1,000.00)

Bob Sitz was a rancher committed to improving range management. He believed in the youth of Montana and sought to ensure a bright future for Montana’s rangeland through education. Bob was a strong supporter of Montana Range Days. In memory of Bob, the Sitz Family has established a scholarship of $1,000.00 annually and to be announced at Montana Range Days. The winner will receive this scholarship upon successful completion of one semester at a Montana university or college.

Montana Range Days, Inc. is committed to providing learning opportunities, which enable participants to develop a better understanding of the importance of Montana’s rangelands. To further this commitment, Montana Range Days, Inc. encourages high school seniors or college students to apply for the Montana Range Days Scholarships. Members of the Montana Range, Inc. Steering Committee will select the scholarship winners based on the following criteria:

  1. Involvement in range activities and youth events.
  2. Leadership in school and community activities.
  3. Academic achievement.
  4. Financial need.

Applications must be received by the Montana Range Days, Inc. Steering Committee by April 30, 2014. Submitting one application qualifies the applicant for all three (3) scholarships. For more details and a copy of the application form, visit the Montana Range Days website.

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United States Department of Agriculture
April 11, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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USDA Announces Funding to Train and Educate Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers

United States Department of AgricultureThe following is a Press Release from the USDA, April 11, 2014 – Today, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of more than $19 million in grants to help train, educate and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of agricultural producers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).

“USDA is committed to the next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers because they represent the future of agriculture and are the backbone of our rural economy. As the average age of farmers continues to rise, we have no time to lose in getting more new farmers and ranchers established.” said Secretary Vilsack. “Reauthorizing and expanding the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is one of the many resources the 2014 Farm Bill gave us to build America’s agricultural future. Through this program, we can build a diverse next generation of farmers and ranchers.”

BFRDP is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help farmers, ranchers and managers of non-industrial private forest land – specifically those aiming to start farming and those who have been farming or ranching for 10 or fewer years. It is managed by the National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). NIFA will competitively award grants to organizations conducting programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply (applications are due June 12, 2014).

Priority will be given to projects that are partnerships and collaborations led by or including non-governmental, community-based, or school-based agricultural educational organizations. All applicants are required to provide funds or in-kind support from non-federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to 25 percent of the federal funds requested.

By law, at least five percent of available funding will be allocated to programs and services for limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged beginning farmers and ranchers and farmworkers. Additionally, another five percent of available funding will be allocated for programming and services for military veteran farmers and ranchers.

BFRDP was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, receiving $100 million to be awarded over the next five years. The program was originally funded through the 2008 Farm Bill. Since then, NIFA has awarded more than $66 million through 136 grants to organizations that have developed education and training programs. More than 50,000 beginning farmers and ranchers have participated in projects funded by BRFDP.

NIFA is hosting two upcoming webinars for interested applicants on April 30 and May 6 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. The first webinar will focus on general guidelines for the program, while the second webinar will focus on the funding allocations for socially-disadvantaged and military veteran farmers and ranchers.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future. More information is available at: www.nifa.usda.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)

Public Lands Council Internship
April 11, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NCBA and PLC are Accepting Applications for 2015 Public Policy Internship

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for the spring 2015 public policy internship. The deadline to submit an application is June 30, 2014.

“NCBA and PLC’s internship is a great opportunity to experience policy making first-hand,” said Emily Buck, a University of Tennessee senior and spring 2014 intern. “I enjoyed working alongside a team that makes a powerful impact on legislation while staying true to their roots. It’s rewarding to be able to advocate for cattle producers across the nation, and I would encourage students interested in agricultural policy to apply.”

NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts said this is a great opportunity for students with an interest in the beef industry and public policy.

“From food safety and trade to environmental issues and taxes, this internship will give college students the opportunity to work alongside staff on many critical issues affecting U.S. cattlemen and women,” Butts said. “The internship is designed to work closely with the lobbying team on Capitol Hill; to assist with NCBA and PLC’s regulatory efforts; and to work closely with the communications team.”

The full-time internship will begin Jan. 12, 2015 and end May 8, 2015. To apply, interested college juniors, seniors or graduate students should submit the application, college transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a resume to [email protected]. More information about the NCBA public policy internship is available on www.BeefUSA.org.

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or [email protected].

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Montana Range Days Havre Montana
April 7, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Range Days Coming to Hill County

Montana Range Days Havre Montana2014 marks the 38th year of Montana Range Days and the final time this premier range education event is coming to Havre. It’s not very often when your four year old can become a buckaroo for the day; your 13 year old can become a wrangler; and parents get a taste of the rancher division and learn about one of Montana’s most important resources: Range.

Montana Stockgrowers Association Research and Education Endowment Foundation, Montana Cattlewomen, and Montana Association of Grazing Districts are proud to sponsor Montana Range Days.

This year’s event begins Monday June 23rd in Beaver Creek Park, the Nation’s Largest County Park. Having Range Days in this part of the state introduces new grasses, forbs, trees and possibly weeds, both noxious and introduced, that perhaps participants haven’t seen before. The first day will be an opportunity for those serious about the competition to get onto the practice site and begin studying plants that may or may not be in the contest. Those interested in weed control can tour Dalmatian Toadflax biological control plots in the area.

Tuesday, June 24th is full of activity, with workshops for all ages going on at Camp Kiwanis, Beaver Creek Park. The 4 to 6 year old (Buckaroos) will learn about rangeland environments with lots of hands-on activities. The 7 to 8 year olds (Ecosystem Explorers) will learn about range and our ecosystem through fun games and activities. For the 9 to 11 year olds (Superstarters) they get a little more serious and begin to learn about plant anatomy and identification to prepare them for the contest on Wednesday. The Wrangler division is for those junior high age students who want to learn about proper grazing, stocking rates, plant anatomy and identification. There are also the Open and FFA Divisions for 14 to 19 year olds to learn about the many aspects of range. While the kids are learning, the adults can be participating as well in the Rancher / Open Adult workshops or attend the tour slated for Tuesday. Tuesday’s tour includes: The Blaine County Wildlife Museum, the Blaine County Historical Museum and the Bear Paw Battlefield.

Montana Range Days Havre Montana WorkshopsWednesday, June 25th is the final day of Montana Range Days and also marks competition day in which teams of 3 or 4 members will compete on what they learned the day before in such areas of plant ID, soils, anatomy, monitoring and range management. There are several awards like Top Superstarter, Top Wrangler, and the Top Range Hand award of the event. Those participants who are too young to participate in the competition can take part in an educational program put on by the Montana Cattlewomen’s Association at Camp Kiwanis, while adults can tour Havre Beneath the Streets and the Wahkpa Chu’gn Archeological Site.

Montana Range Days is open to all families, all ages, and all skill levels. Come be a part of an event that has been going on for more than 30 years and has encompassed more than 15 communities in our great State and learn about this wealth of nature that covers nearly 70 percent of Montana better known as Rangelands.

Find the online electronic registration form at https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=lYj8Z7FSQjJx4OYCe8-ASA.

For more information you can call Jennifer at the Hill County Conservation District at 406-265-6792 ext.101 or email [email protected] or go the website at www.montanarangedays.org.

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March 24, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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REEF Supports Collegiate Trip to JBS, NCBA Offices, National Western

Montana State University Collegiate StockgrowersInstead of spending winter break watching TV, the Collegiate Stockgrowers clubs (CSG) of Montana organized a tour to learn more about the beef industry. Several CSG members drove to Denver to learn more about the next step in the beef production supply chain.

“Most of our club members have a cow-calf background. They sell their calves off when the time is right and start the process again. Ultimately, they don’t know too much about where those calves go next,” said John Henry Beardsley, president of the Collegiate Stockgrowers at Montana State University.

This trip offered the opportunity to find out what that next step is all about. The group toured JBS headquarters, along with Five Rivers feedlots. “Feedlots are looking for specific qualities and it was interesting to learn more about what we can do on the cow-calf end to help,” said Beardsley.

Montana Stockgrowers Research and Education Endowment FoundationA visit to the feedlots wasn’t the only destination on the trip. The group then visited the office of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) to learn about how the organization works to promote beef on a national level, implement producer education programs, and tackle policy issues in Washington, D.C. “I never realized just how much NCBA does for us. It was great to learn more about them,” said Steel Anderson of Livingston, Montana.

Finally, the group ended up at the Stockyards to check out all the show cattle and sales at the National Western Stock Show. “Overall, the trip was a huge benefit to everyone. It showed us what happens outside of Montana, along with shedding new light on the endless opportunities in the agriculture industry,” said Beardsley.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation helped fund this trip to Denver. This type of learning opportunity is just one of the ways the Foundation is helping the next generation of Montana ranchers.

“Beef industry education and leadership development are a priority of the Foundation,” said Dusty Hahn, foundation chairmain. Please consider a donation to the Foundation to help us continue funding our future.

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Montana State University Collegiate Stockgrowers
March 21, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU Collegiate Stockgrowers Update

Montana State University Collegiate StockgrowersThe new semester at Montana State University brought a brand new officer team for Collegiate Stockgrowers. We are excited to announce the team and introduce you to each officer. Fresh ideas are rolling around and we are eager to take on the busy year.

Stepping into the President role is Kelsey Haughian, a junior studying Animal Science Livestock Industry and Management. With her younger twin brothers, she grew up on the family cow/calf ranch near Kinsey and her father was elected to the MSGA Board of Directors last year. Her hobbies include cat snap chats, sewing wild rags, and making forever memories. Taking on the Vice President office is Andrew Seleg. Andrew is a senior, majoring in Animal Science. He grew up on a cow/calf ranch near Rosebud, and served as the club treasurer last year.

Jeremiah Jansen is holding the Treasurer position. He is from a cow/calf operation by Lavina and majoring in Animal Science Livestock Management and Industry, with a Range Management minor. In his spare time, he enjoys cutting down trees, fixing fence, and working cattle. Filling the Historian office is Brittany Hansen, from a ranch by Ekalaka. She is a freshman, with an undecided major, but is interested in the medical field. She enjoys ice fishing, skiing, and playing basketball with friends.

There are two officers filling the College of Agriculture Student Council Representative positions. One is Sean Palmer from Culbertson. He is an Agriculture Education major, with a teaching option and minoring in Animal Science. Some of his favorite pastimes are spending time with his family and riding his dirt bike and snowmobile. The other representative is freshman John Manley. He grew up on a cattle ranch by Drummond and is majoring in Animal Science. He enjoys sports and team roping.

Three Forks native, Karoline Rose is the new Social Media Specialist. She is a senior, majoring in Animal Science with an Agriculture Business minor. In her free time, she enjoys working with the local 4-H members and going home to help her brother and father on the ranch.

That leaves me, Marni Wade, the club secretary. I’m a sophomore from Baker majoring in Business Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management and an additional minor in Accounting. When not in school, I enjoy roping, beading, and fishing.

As with last semester, our meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. If you are in Bozeman, feel free to stop by and don’t forget to check out our Facebook page!

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March 18, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Developing Montana’s Youth: Montana FFA

By John Walker and Warren Krone for the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Foundation

John Walker

John Walker, Montana FFA

Warren Krone

Warren Krone, Montana FFA

This year alone, a particular group of about 2,800 people added 3.5 million dollars to Montana’s economy alone. This group, ranging from ages 14 to 19 is known as the Montana FFA. If you don’t know FFA is a national organization with an emphasis on leadership with an agricultural background. FFA’s mission statement is “FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.”

FFA creates the opportunities for individuals to create premier leadership through its focus on communication, interaction skills, and hands on leadership roles. With FFA, students have the ability to learn what it is to be a leader by serving as chapter officers, liaisons in their schools and also State Officers. But it doesn’t stop at the title, Montana FFA offers conferences and workshops for students to add more skills to their arsenal such as the newly installed G.O.L.D. Conference also known as Growing our Leaders and Development conference where students learn alongside their peers the values of individuality, the value of a team and the importance of professionalism.

IMG_0748Along with leadership, the organization is monumental in developing the social skills of students. In FFA it is a common courtesy to introduce yourself to as many individuals as you can. The social barriers that cage students in high school are broken once you step into an FFA event. The sense of community and unity gives students the ability to step out of their comfort zone. Some competitions promote active listening and interpersonal skills that one needs anywhere in their lives. For example, the Agricultural Sales Career Development Event makes students interact with individuals in a cold call situation. They are thrown into a scenario and have to sell a product using the knowledge gained from hours of studying, not only their own product, but competitor products as well in an attempt to make sales. These skills learned are applicable in both direct and indirect conducts; of course the ability to hold well-informed knowledge over products teamed with the ability to make a sale will give anyone a serious heads up in the marketing world, but it also gives today’s youth interpersonal communication and compatibility skills second to none.

IMG_0530Each year Montana FFA holds an annual state convention, this years’ being March 26-29 in Great Falls, with well over a thousand members in attendance giving boost to the local economy as hotels become sold out and restaurants overflow. Businesses from across the state flock to get the chance to enter a booth into the trade show where hundreds of FFA members, and potential future employees, make their way through. All while Montana’s youth from every corner of the state compete in Career Development Events, showcase their Supervised Agricultural Experiences, and listen to the inspiring words of today’s industry front-runners and tomorrow’s leaders as they share their own triumph stories and success plans.

All in all FFA is a great way to not only learn direct ag industry skills, but to develop their potential as a leader and show the true meaning of having career success as they move into today’s work force.

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March 14, 2014 1 Comment Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU-Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers Update

MSGA Collegiate Stockgrowers Montana State Northern HavreIt’s hard to believe that MSU Northern’s Collegiate Stockgrowers is already a year old and still going strong. Our group of MSU Northern students is still young and learning the ropes but we’re eager and ambitious.

Laramie Pursley from Chinook, MT started the group and has guided it well throughout the past year, with the help of course from some senior Stockgrowers associates: Lauren Chase and Karoline Rose. They have helped by encouraging our officers to pull in new members at every meeting, educating them on the continued benefits of being involved in the agricultural community, and also encouraging us all to make a presence at the many Stockgrower events throughout the year. The annual convention in Billings this year provided our group with such an amazing learning experience. Not only were the workshops more than what we imagined, we also had the privilege of sitting next to ranchers from all over the state of MT. In addition, we had the opportunity of having Temple Grandin come into our small town of Havre on a very snowy Montana day for the annual Cabin Fever days. Our small group was able to assist the event as best as possible, as well as be enlightened by her cattle handling speech. The trip to Denver was another success where a few of us were able to take a tour of the JBS Beef Facility, 5 river feedlot, NCBA Office, Denver Stock-show and more. Laramie and Jaylee had a fantastic time and had an experience they will never forget.

Then in January our very own Laramie Pursley was crowned Miss Rodeo Montana thus spurring re-election due to her strenuous schedule. Our previous meeting decided the 2014 Officers as follows: Hollyn Cardani as President, John Jansen as Vice President and Jaylee Berg as Secretary/Treasurer.

The first meeting after re-elections on Feb 7th , Hollyn was able to find a guest speaker for our members. The guest speaker was Kim Peterson of “Peterson Grain & cattle” from north of Havre. Kim and his family run a registered Black Angus herd, as well as having an annual bull sale in April. The Peterson family farm/ranch raise wheat, barley, peas and enough forage and grass to support their registered Angus cattle herd. Kim talked to us about what he thought was the most important aspects for the young agricultural generations to know.

Also, at that meeting everyone that is currently in the Mentorship program, started by Lauren Chase, spoke about their experiences so far with their mentors. The four of us that are involved, (Zack McKinley, Laramie Pursley, Kaleb Fisher and Hollyn Cardani), are so very lucky to have had this great opportunity to gain knowledge from these seasoned ranchers across Montana. With calving season just beginning for some, we have scheduled a tour of the Northern Agricultural Research Center up here in Havre during their calving season in March.

The support that our Collegiate Stockgrowers group has had is amazing. Many past Northern Alumni have said how they wished they would have had the chance to have been in a Collegiate Stockgrowers club. With that being said, our group is extremely excited to have the opportunities that come with being involved with Collegiate Stockgrowers and are looking forward to what the future holds for us!

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March 6, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Are You a Young Rancher in Montana?

Join the Montana Young Stockgrowers Association!

If you are a young rancher in the state of Montana, consider a membership to the Young Stockgrowers Association. It’s a great way to meet your peers from across the state, learn from veteran MSGA leadership, and take part in several priceless opportunities during the year…from events to conferences. This group is made up of young ranchers, folks involved in the cattle business, students, and those who just want to meet new friends.

The Young Stockgrowers Association meets at both the Annual Convention in Billings and at the Mid-Year Meeting. Throughout the year, there are local YSG meetings, YSG-hosted events like the Cattle Crawl and Legislative Conference. Lacey Sutherlin – Stevensville – is the chair of the YSG during 2014 and Travis Brown – Sand Springs – is vice chair. Both would be more than happy to answer any questions or help you to get involved in YSG.

Travis had the opportunity to attend the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville last month as was mentioned earlier this week in his KRIRM Leadership feature. Today he’ll share with us a few more highlights from the trip.

Cattle Convention Perspective from Young Stockgrowers

Travis BrownIn February, at the CIC, I had the opportunity to attend on behalf of the Young Stockgrower Committee, and what a convention it was.  There was tremendous excitement for the beef business as cattlemen from across the country gathered in the midst of the highest market we have ever seen.  My personal favorite part of the convention is the trade show, the industry’s largest, and is all held within the massive Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  Businesses from across the country come to display the newest technologies in the industry, meanwhile there are live cattle demonstrations going on in the background, it is truly a sight to see.

Another highlight of the convention, and of particular interest to Young Stockgrowers are the Cattlemen’s Colleges, sponsored by Zoetis.  There are several different speakers brought in from all over the United States to discuss issues facing all parts of the beef business from the ranch gate, to the grocery store, and even around the Washington DC Beltway.  It is truly interesting to see what Millennials, consumers age 20-30, are interested in as they develop their tastes and preferences and how beef can meet their demands for the future.  Millennials are the largest generation, even bigger than the Baby Boomers, and making sure that they choose beef as their go to source for high quality, delicious, and nutritious protein will make a big difference.

Lastly the speakers and the cattle industry convention are absolutely incredible. From speakers about leadership like Capitan Phillips and Archie Manning to in-depth perspective from the true experts in the industry during the CattleFax Update there is great information to be heard.  There are some unique challenges and exciting opportunities facing the beef business as this winter draws to a close and everyone is looking forward to calving.

Find out more about the MSGA Young Stockgrowers program at mtbeef.org.

March 4, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Scholarship Available: Montana Educational Heritage

The Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation is offering a scholarship for one MSGA member student.

Montana Educational Heritage Scholarship PromoFor current college students, the Montana Educational Heritage Scholarship of $1,000 is available. To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled in college and have completed at least one semester in college, be a member of MSGA, or have at least one parent who is a member, and demonstrate a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Applicants must complete the application form, include a copy of their current transcript, write a 500-word essay discussing their educational pursuits and what they hope to do with their education, and include two letters of recommendation.

Applications are due April 15, 2014. You can apply online at bit.ly/REEF2014EHS

Kelsey Haughian Heritage Award “The Foundation’s continued support of college students is imperative for ranchers like me to further our education goals. The scholarship I received has allowed me to feel financially secure in my junior year of college at Montana State University,” said Kelsey Haughian, 2013 award recipient from Miles City, MT.

For more information on these scholarships and to apply online, visit the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s website at www.mtbeef.org/reef.aspx. For questions, please email Lauren Chase at [email protected]. If you are interested in these scholarships but are not currently a member of MSGA, join today. Student memberships start at just $20.

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