HELENA, Mont. (August 9, 2024) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is pleased to announce the names of the eight individuals who will participate in the organization’s premier leadership program⁠—the Montana Stockgrowers M Bar Academy. The 18-month leadership program, designed to grow and develop leadership skills for individuals active in Montana’s ranching industry, will take place August 2024 – December 2025. 

MSGA is excited to welcome the newest cohort of M Bar participants,” said Raylee Honeycutt, MSGA Executive Vice President. “These individuals will develop their leadership skills, network with other industry professionals, and learn various aspects about the cattle industry. At the end of the program, look forward to seeing how they take these lessons into their communities and as leaders of MSGA.”

The 2024-2025 M Bar Academy Cohort includes:

Lacey Clark – Twin Bridges, Mont.

Lacey is the owner/operator of Rockin’ LP Custom Leather, LLC, and worked for 15 years as a licensed mental health counselor. In addition to building her cattle herd, she also operates an equine facilitated mental health practice and kickstarted the Super Stars 4-H Club in Madison County. 

RJ Fitzgerald -Dillon, Mont.

RJ serves as a commercial account executive for First West Insurance who specializes in risk management for farms and ranches. He also works alongside his family’s cattle and sheep operation in Beaverhead county and is a member of MSGA’s tax and agriculture policy committee.

Garrett Harshbarger – Whitehall, Mont.

Garrett is the owner/operator of Z-E Fencing and has been growing a portion of his family’s ranch since 2019. While attending Montana State University, Garrett obtained a degree in agricultural business and participated in various agriculture related groups including the MSU Collegiate Stockgrowers, Alpha Zeta Agriculture Honors Fraternity, and Collegiate FFA. 

Heidi Kool – Toston, Mont.

Heidi serves as the program coordinator for the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) which invests in Montana’s ranching community through leadership, education, and conservation. Heidi is involved on her family’s ranch operation, Thousand Hills Angus, in Toston. 

Wyatt Lesh – Miles City, Mont.

Wyatt currently works as a real estate salesperson at Lesh & Company Real Estate as well as his family’s cattle operation, Lesh Cattle Company, in Miles City. Wyatt holds a member position on the Miles City Ag Council. 

Asha Malcolm – Livingston, Mont.

Asha is currently enrolled in Syracuse College of Law’s Juris Doctor program. and is the owner/operator of Malcolm Mile Hi Ranch. Asha has built her herd from the ground up and has obtained clientele from around the country utilizing her herd’s genetics. She is also actively involved in her community and has coached many livestock clinics on showing, fitting, and feeding and helps 4-H members get animals ready for fair. 

Celia Rigler – Helena, Mont.

Celia serves as the ag policy advisor under Governor Greg Gianforte and assists on her family’s cattle operation near Gardiner and Lodge Grass when not at the Capitol. As a policy liaison, Celia tracks and drafts comments pushing back against federal overreach, conducts outreach to constituents, and assists in gathering input for policies that affect agricultural interests in Montana. 

Katharine Taylor – Jefferson City, Mont.

Katharine works under Governor Greg Gianforte as a special projects coordinator. She has held positions with multiple grassroots organizations such as a Collegiate Stockgrowers member and a Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers member at Montana State University, American Business Women Association Big Sky Chapter member, Lewis and Clark County Young Farmer and Rancher Chair, and the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher State Committee. 

Participants will meet in several locations across Montana over the course of the Academy. Sessions will allow participants to gain valuable skills that can be applied in their careers and network with industry partners. 

MSGA would like to thank the many supporters of the M Bar Academy who believe in the importance of leadership development in Montana’s cattle industry. 

Additional information regarding the M Bar Academy can be found at www.mtbeef.org.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With 140 years of history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.

CONTACT:

Keni Reese

Director of Marketing & Communications

406-442-3420

[email protected]
To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/