MONTANA Farm Bureau
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Happy Holidays
The Montana Farm Bureau Board of Directors and MFBF Staff wish our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Not sure what to give a ranching neighbor or ag-oriented friend for Christmas? Give the gift of Farm Bureau, a gift that keeps giving.
Visit mfbf.org today to purchase a membership that offers member benefit discounts, a voice in Helena and D.C.-and much more!
Campaign Seminar set
The Montana Farm Bureau Campaign Seminar is set for February 26-27, 2026 at the Montana Farm Bureau office in Bozeman.
The two-day, interactive, comprehensive seminar covers everything from selecting a campaign theme; to setting up your campaign structure; and how to raise and manage money. Participation in this seminar will provide the attendees with the tools to win an election.
The seminar is open to all candidates running or considering running for any political office.
Montana Farm Bureau members receive a discounted rate of $150; non-members pay $200. Candidates may bring along a spouse or campaign manager for an additional fee.
The hotel room block deadline is February 1, 2026. Call the Bozeman C’mon Inn, 406-587-3555, and request the MFBF room block rate.
To register or find out more about the campaign seminar visit: https://mfbf.org/Article/2024-Montana-Farm-Bureau-Campaign-Training-Seminar
ACE class celebrates graduation during convention News Brief
December 2025
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation celebrated the Class of 2025 graduates of their ACE (Advocate. Communicate. Educate.) Leadership Program during the organization’s 106th Annual Convention in Missoula. This was the ACE Leadership Program’s eighth year of empowering Farm Bureau members to become confident and effective leaders in their local communities, for Montana agriculture and for their county Farm Bureaus.
The year-long program started in January in Bozeman and was followed by five more seminars across Montana. During these trainings, ACE participants heard from agricultural advocates, media professionals, communications specialists and policymakers.
As part of the ACE program, participants gave presentations to their fellow ACE members and MFBF Board members to demonstrate how they plan to use their newly honed leadership skills.
These projects ranged from an educational trailer that could travel to events to an agricultural producer mentorship program.
Class member Cody Shick noted, “My favorite part about ACE has been that they bring in speakers who have real world examples on what you can do to better yourself professionally, personally and in your communities. The seminars are very time efficient, well run and valuable.”
Left to right: Makae Reed, Southwest Counties, Kayla Christians, Lewis & Clark County, Amanda Martin, Cascade County, Mackenzie Serrano, Southwest Counties, Lauren Kett, Park County, Riley Larson, Northwest Counties, Kasydi Lucas, Lewis & Clark County, Cody Shick, Front Range Counties, Kim Woodring, Front Range Counties and Andy Schwab, Yellowstone County.
STATE NEWS
Leaders Elected
Cyndi Johnson, a wheat farmer from Conrad, was re-elected as president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) during the organization’s 106th Annual Convention held November 1720, 2025, in Missoula.
Voting delegates from 29 county Farm Bureaus elected new leaders and discussed and voted on policy during their Delegates Session.
Delegates re-elected Vice President Casey Mott, a cattle rancher from Custer, and welcomed several new members to leadership roles:
• Bronya Willmore, a rancher from Roy, was elected to replace outgoing Young Farmer & Rancher Committee Chair Nick Courville.
• Heidi Brewer from Bozeman replaced retiring Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Carla Lawrence.
• Ashley Descheemaeker, a cattle rancher from Lewistown, was elected as District 3 Director.
• Mike Lang, a production ag retailer from Malta, was elected as District 7 Director.
Property tax relief
Montana residential property owners may be eligible for significant property tax relief through the Homestead Reduced Tax Rate enacted by the legislature in 2025.
Homeowners who claimed a property tax rebate in 2025 are automatically enrolled to receive the homestead reduced tax rate for 2026. All other principal-residence property owners must enroll to qualify. The enrollment period opens on December 1, 2025, and closes on March 1, 2026. Property owners should visit Homestead.mt.gov to enroll online. The site provides more information on qualification criteria and includes answers to frequently asked questions. Those who need additional assistance can call the support line at 406-4446900.
Property owners who claimed a property tax rebate in 2025 are automatically enrolled and can verify their enrollment by visiting Homestead. mt.gov.
MFBF Board sets priority issues for 2026
The Montana Farm Bureau board set priority issues for 2026 in the meeting following the convention. These included:
Protecting senior water rights to the full extent of the Prior Appropriation Doctrine, Montana law, and the Montana Constitution.
Preserving and improving the agriculture tax environment by reducing taxes that unfairly burden small businesses and by seeking to broaden the tax base.
Supporting an increase in the business equipment tax exemption to better account for the cost/value of modern agriculture equipment, as long as local governments are made whole through the process of backfilling the loss to their budgets with general fund dollars, preventing the shift to other types of property with
Broadening the tax base in order to find ways that do not continually pressure property owners with higher taxes, especially agriculture landowners who have no way to pass this burden on to other customers.
Supporting federal regulatory reform including revising Waters of the U.S., the Endangered Species Act and more.
Maintaining competition in the rail system by opposing the Union Pacific/North Southern merger.
Farm Bureau files lawsuit regarding exempt wells
Montana Farm Bureau, along with other groups and individuals representing a coalition of municipalities, farm and ranch families, landowners, and conservation organizations filed a legal challenge in Montana State Court November 12, 2025, against the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the State of Montana over its continued implementation of the state’s “exempt well loophole.”
The loophole allows unregulated groundwater development outside the state’s permitting system. The lawsuit seeks to protect Montana’s senior water rights holders and restore fairness and accountability to the state’s water administration system.
For more information on the lawsuit visit mfbf.org/media-news
People in the News
AFBF Convention
January 9-14, 2026
Anaheim, CA
MFBF YF&R Leadership Conference
January 23-25, 2026
Great Falls
MFBF Campaign Seminar
February 26-27, 2026
Bozeman
MFBF Summer Conference
June 15-17, 2026
Kalispell, MT
Northern Ag Network interviewed YF&R Discussion Meet Winner Cady Brown, MFBF President Cyndi Johnson, EVP Scott Kulbeck, ACE graduates Makae Reed and Riley Larson, as well as hosted District 3 Director Kris Descheemaeker on the live radio show Voices of Montana.
Western Ag Network interviewed Cyndi Johnson, AFBF’s Terri Moore, long-tme member David Clark and Leopold Conservation Award Winner Bruce Thomas. The live radio show Montana Talks with Aaron Flint featured MFBF’s Nicole Rolf with Brian Glenn, President Johnson, MFBF VP Casey Mott and Cattle Committee Chair/Front Range County’s Gene Curry, MT Public Radio also interviewed Brian Glenn. and MFBF EVP Scott Kulbeck. Elena Stuker, owner of People’s Choice Pup Runner Up, Bubbles, interviewed with KTMF-TV. The reporter also interviewed Nick Courville and MT Director of Ag Jill Streit.
COUNTY NEWS
MONTANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
100 Red Mountain Drive, Suite 101 Bozeman, MT 59718
ISSN: 1555-788X
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation News Brief is published monthly except for January, April, July and October by the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at 100 Red Mountain Drive, Suite 101, Bozeman, MT 59718. Subscription rates are $4 per year, covered by annual dues to the Montana Farm Bureau Federation. Nonmember subscriptions are $25 per year. Mail at periodical postage rate in Bozeman, MT and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Montana Farm Bureau Federation News Brief, 100 Red Mountain Drive, Suite 101, Bozeman, MT 59718. 406-587-3153.
NATIONAL NEWS
AFBF urges immediate relief for farmers
The American Farm Bureau has urged its membership to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to inform them that farmers and ranchers need immediate financial relief.
“America’s farm economy is in crisis. Farmers need bridge economic assistance to stabilize their operations, support rural communities and maintain affordable food for American families,” AFBF Zippy Duvall said.
AFBF is urging Congress and the administration to immediately provide bridge payments to offset multi-year losses, deliver trade-related economic assistance and support policies that strengthen markets, expand trade and boost demand for American products
The members told President Trump and Congress they need action before the end of 2025 to provide immediate relief and long-term stability for America’s farmers and ranchers.
AFBF welcomes new proposed WOTUS rule
Montana Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau are applauding the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed Waters of the United States rule.
“Clean water is a top priority for farmers and ranchers – we depend on it,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. We are pleased that the new rule protects critical water sources while respecting the efforts of farmers to protect the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with.
“The Supreme Court clearly ruled several years ago that the government overreached in its interpretation of what fell under federal guidelines. We are still reviewing the entire rule, but we are pleased that it finally addresses those concerns and takes steps to provide much-needed clarity. We look forward to providing comments to EPA to ensure farmers can continue to safeguard the environment while growing the food America’s families rely on,” Duvall concluded.
Kalispell, MT
The Virtual Care RX program offers zero-cost access to over 1,100 acute and chronic medications when you present your Virtual Care Rx card at any of the 70,000 in-network retail pharmacies. Medications not on the free formulary are deeply discounted. All chronic medications include free home shipping.
You also get access to a Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) for discounts on many drugs over $200 and an Insulin Discount Program with prices starting at $94.99/month.
Furthermore, receive free virtual primary/urgent care 24/7/365, including chronic condition and prescription management. Mental health support is available for an additional cost.
Learn more at about this and other MFBF member benefits at mfbf.org/ benefits.