REAL Montana announces Class II Leadership Participants
BOZEMAN – Montana State University Extension announced Class II of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership), a two-year program focused on building a network of informed and engaged leaders to advance the natural resource industries in Montana.
The class of 20 participants was competitively selected from a pool of highly qualified candidates, all of who represent a variety of agriculture and natural resource industries. REAL Montana is funded through a partnership with MSU Extension and private industry.
REAL Montana is a two-year program featuring eight in-state seminars, a four-day national study tour in Washington D.C. and a ten-day international trip. Seminar topics include: agriculture institutions and agencies, natural resource development, public speaking/media, economics, state and federal policy, international trade, urban/rural relationships, water issues, transportation, labor and production costs and entrepreneurship.
The first seminar takes place September 17-19 in Bozeman.
Class II participants are:
Paul Babb, Butte: Community Relations Manager with NorthWestern Energy
Katie Cooper, Willow Creek: Director and ranch hand at Cooper Hereford Ranch; Co-owner of McDonagh Construction
Lacey Ehlke, Townsend: Co-owner of Ehlke Herefords; Young Stockgrowers Vice-Chair; Secretary/Treasurer of the Montana Hereford Association
Chaley Harney, Billings: Executive Director of the Montana Beef Council
Megan Hedges, Chester: Vice President of Heydon Farms Inc.
Jill Herold, Shepherd: Agronomist and Sustainable Solutions Specialist for Syngenta; Vice President and Treasurer for Yellowstone Cattlewomen
Tom Hougen, Melstone: Owner of Hougen Ranch; National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Region V Policy Vice President
Karli Johnson, Sidney: Finance Manager at R&J Ag Supply; Sidney Chamber Board of Directors
Bryan Lorengo, Anaconda: Safety Consultant for the MT Logging Association; Anaconda School Board Chairman
Brian Marler, Great Falls: Marketing and western region asphalt sales for Calumet-Montana Refining
Farrah McGregor, Cascade: Branch manager for Northwest Farm Credit Services
Nick Miller, Helena: Construction Manager and Vice President of Helena Sand & Gravel
Tracy Mosley, Wilsall: MSU Park County Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent; Vice Chair of the Park County Cooperative Weed Management Area
Maggie Nutter, Sweetgrass: Co-owner of Certain Creek Ranch; President of Marias River Livestock Association
Darcia Patten, Broadus: Co-owner of Graham MT Ranch, Inc.; President of the Powder River/ Carter County Farm Bureau; Montana Farm Bureau Equine State Chair
Nicole Rolf, Miles City: National Affairs Director for Montana Farm Bureau Federation; President of the Montana 4-H Foundation
Molly Schwend, Laurel: Manager of Community Relations and Public Affairs at Cloud Peak Energy
Jacob Smith, Glen: Part owner of Smith 6-S Livestock
Marc Vogel, Ballantine: Owner of North 40 Ag and partner in Vogel Land & Cattle Co; President of the Huntley Project Lions Club
LaVon Wagler, Wolf Point: CHS Inc. Location Manager
Complete program information is available at www.realmontana.org or by contacting Janelle Booth, (406) 994-6480,[email protected].
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About Author
The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit membership organization, has worked on behalf of Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884. Our mission is to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, environmentally wholesome beef to the world.