Email: [email protected]
Hometown: Dodson
Elected: 2020
Industry Involvement: Lesley and her husband Jim have been married for 39 years, ranched their entire lives. They own and operate the Lazy JD Cattle Co, a commercial cow/calf and yearling operation. The family-run ranch has been in the Robinson family since moving from the Miles City area in 1958. Their daughter Kirsty and her husband John spend part of the year on the ranch and the other in Arizona.
Leadership Service: Lesley has served in MSGA leadership since 2000. She was on the MSGA Board from 1996-2000, served on the Montana Beef Council for five years as Education Committee chair and was on the MSGA Foundation Board for 8 years. Lesley has served as president of the Phillips County Livestock Association and Phillips County CattleWomen. Other leadership positions include State Director for Congressman Greg Gianforte, Chair of Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, Phillco Economic Growth Council Executive Board, Bear Paw Development Executive Board, Phillips Transit Authority Board Chair, Montana Board of Dentistry, Joint Powers Trust Board Executive Committee, Montana Assn. of Counties Public Lands Committee Chair, National Assn. of Counties Executive Board Western Region Representative, Nat’l Assn. of Counties Public Lands Committee, and Western Interstate Region Board President.
Challenges facing the beef industry: “Some of issues we face today were most likely on the agenda in 1884 when MSGA was organized. We have been hosting meetings across the state listening to producers directly to find out what challenges they face. Estate taxes and estate planning came to the top over and over. Other things like simplification of government programs that available to ranchers, obstacles for new ranchers just starting out or trying to expand and generational transfers were spoken of often. With all the dispersions happening across the state and the nation it’s important to keep agricultural land in production and ranchers in business. More and more people are understanding the importance of it for the health of the land, wildlife and communities. I look forward to serving as President of MSGA and continuing our work on all the issues that affect ranching while building relationships with other ag groups and agencies.