HELENA, Mont. (May 15, 2025) – The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) hosted its annual Raising the Steaks Environmental Stewardship Ranch Tour on May 12, at G&G Livestock and Cathey Cattle Company in Polson, Mont. The ranch is owned and operated by Greg and Lynn Gardner, daughter, Brittany and son-in-law, Wacey Cathey.
The Raising the Steaks Ranch Tour gathers an intimate group of thoughtful, creative individuals to put their boots on the ground and their heads in the game in facilitated diverse and informative discussions that highlight current issues and solutions to challenges ranchers and conservationists face when managing private and public lands for future generations.
G&G Livestock was awarded the 2024 Montana Environmental Stewardship Award (ESAP). The tour started with an introduction to the Gardner and Cathey families and a review of the ranch’s history.
Then, attendees visited various stops across the ranch in the Irvine Flats area to discuss water development, grazing and weed management, and Cathey Cattle Company, the family’s direct-to-consumer beef business. A highlight of the tour was showcasing the families effort to ensure sustainability for their ranch for the future generations.
Purchased in 1990, the Gardner’s began focusing on efficient range management on the ranch and participated in Montana’s Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF), along with neighboring ranches. They have also worked in partnership with Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to develop watering systems to encourage cattle to move throughout the pastures resulting in equal distribution of grazing along the landscape.
To conclude the tour, the family hosted a networking dinner serving beef from Cathey Cattle Company, to review topics discussed that day.
Attendees on the tour included local NRCS staff, fellow ranchers, media and Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) leadership and more.
MSF would like to thank the Gardner and Cathey families for welcoming the tour onto their ranch and hosting a diverse group of individuals to create a deeper connection between land, livestock, and conservationists. Thank you also to our sponsors, Montana Beef Council, World Wildlife Fund, Montana Grazing Lands Coalition and Weyerhaeuser.
The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was established to ensure the future of Montana’s cattle industry through producer and public education, and promotion of MSGA programs. The Foundation supports the next generation by offering educational programs, academic scholarships and providing leadership opportunities.
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
To view more MSGA news, visit www.mtbeef.org/news
