A delegation of 38 Montana Farm Bureau members traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for the 106th American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, held January 24-29. Attendees participated in leadership luncheons and workshops, explored the trade show, cheered on Nick Courville in the national Discussion Meet, listened to national speakers, and learned from educational tours.
“It was an honor to represent Montana’s hardworking farmers and ranchers at the national level,” said President Cyndi Johnson, a wheat farmer from Conrad, who served on the delegate floor. “The delegate session truly demonstrates grassroots in action, and I was thrilled to be part of such a thoughtful and efficient process, working alongside delegates from each state Farm Bureau and Puerto Rico.” (See page 3.)
MFBF District 9 Director Karl Christians and his wife found the AFBF convention a valuable experience. “The convention was packed with information,” Christians said. “There were so many workshops I wanted to attend, but I couldn’t get to them all. I did make it to the Hot Topic Policy Issues session, which covered important topics like Waters of the U.S., PFAS chemicals, CAFO permitting, taxes and the farm bill. It was reassuring to hear that AFBF has a strong team working on these issues.” Christians also enjoyed connecting with farmers from across the country and participating in the impressive delegate session.
He strongly encourages MFBF members to attend a future AFBF convention. “Think of it as a date night—or even a date week—just make plans to go!”
MFBF captures New Horizon Award
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation captured the New Horizon Award in their membership category during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th Convention in San Antonio. The New Horizon Award honors the most innovative new state Farm Bureau programs.
Montana received the award for their May Membership Month promotional materials, which gave state Farm Bureau members creative ways to recruit new members. The items included “Join the Herd” and “Tag, You’re It” postcards that members were encouraged to share with others along with matching Montana Farm Bureau-branded squishy stress-relief cows, key chain ear tags and cotton roping gloves.
MFBF also captured four Awards of Excellence that recognizes state Farm Bureaus that demonstrated outstanding achievements in four program areas: Advocacy, Coalitions & Partnerships, Engagement & Outreach and Leadership & Business Development.
Legislative Session
The Montana Legislative Session is well underway and MFBF has several ways to keep members informed. If you receive this News Brief, you should also be receiving the monthly Legislative Highlights. If you have questions about the weekly Legislative E-Source, email sagez@mfbf.org. Also, don’t miss Live With Your Lobbyist on Facebook every Friday at noon. (Usually!)
Members from the Montana Farm Bureau had an excellent time at the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
MFBF welcomes new Montana ag director
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation looks foward to working with Jillien Streit as the new Montana Director of Agriculture. Streit, well-known for being an agricultural entrepreneur, has deep roots not only in Montana agriculture but in Farm Bureau. The past president of the Hill-Liberty-Blaine County Farm Bureau has served in leadership roles on the state and county Farm Bureau levels and on the Issues Advisory Committee/Farm Policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Grizzly public meetings now cancelled
Public hearings regarding the proposed changes to grizzly bear management in Montana that were to take place last month were canceled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The cancellation occurred shortly after the USFWS released a new rule that would maintain federal protections for grizzly bears while also proposing some changes to how they are managed. The USFWS stated that the cancellation was due to the need for the new administration to review the proposed rule.
While the public hearings have been canceled, the public comment period on the proposed rule is still open. Individuals and organizations can still submit their written comments to the USFWS for consideration.
MDA Video
A recent Montana Department of Agriculture Video featured Lewis & Clark member Catherine McNeil of Apple Bar Orchard in Helena. Apple Bar Orchard, which the McNeils started on an MSU Extension research plot, is the site of their berry farm where they grow haskaps (honeyberries), dwarf sour cherries, currants, aronias, saskatoons, apples, and pears. Their fruit is sold fresh or frozen to local farmers markets and consumers.
Be sure to check out the video on the MDA website.
STATE NEWS
County presidents recognized during convention
In his opening address during the American Farm Bureau Convention, President Zippy Duvall not only talked about the successes of the nation’s largest agricultural organization but had praise for the county Farm Bureau presidents.
“I know firsthand how much work and dedication goes into your role because I have been there. Having an impact – making a real difference – begins with you, at the local level,” Duvall told more than 5,000 members in the audience.
Three county presidents from Montana Farm Bureau were in attendance and enthusiastically shared that Duvall’s comments rewarded and motivated them.
“President Duvall did an excellent job summarizing what it is that county Farm Bureau presidents do,” said Carbon/Stillwater County President Carla Lawrence.
Lewis & Clark County Farm Bureau President Scott Stoner noted, “It was great to be recognized by the Farm Bureau president.”
Bernie Evans, Dawson/Wibaux County Farm Bureau president, said he was encouraged by President’s Duvall’s call to step up and help. “It’s important to encourage our younger Farm Bureau members to be more involved and share their new ideas.”
For the full story visit mfbf.org/Media/News.
YF&R Leadership Conference great success
Young farmers and ranchers gathered to learn more about crop protection, marketing, forestry, estate planning and advocacy during the MFBF YF&R Leadership Conference January 17-19 at the Holiday Inn in Missoula. Tours included stops at Big Creek Dairy and Buck ‘N Dave’s Eggs, or Turner Farms and the Oxbow Cattle Company. Attendees enjoyed game night and dueling pianos.
Ronan rancher Buddy Cheff explained, “I am amazed I can meet new people and make friends at every Farm Bureau event. The speakers were great and hit home for me. I know I’m on the older end of being a young farmer, but it is great seeing the younger crowd and how welcoming they were.”
YF&R Chair Nick Courville was pleased with the event and said by having the conference in the western part of the state, it brought in new faces and fresh ideas.
Calendar
AFBF Fusion Conference March 7-10 - Denver, CO
MFBF Summer Conference June 9-11 - Fairmont Hot Springs
People
During the American Farm Bureau Convention, several MFBF leaders interviewed with media outlets. Western Ag Network visited with MFBF VP Casey Mott and Senior Director of Governmental Affairs Nicole Rolf Northern Ag Network spoke with MFBF President Cyndi Johnson, VP Mott and Executive VP Scott Kulbeck along with YF&R Chair Nick Courville and Sweet Grass County member Angela Green, a first-time attendee.
District 2 Director J.M. Peck was featured on a Montana Public Radio program called The Big Why discussing the aging population of farmers and ranchers and if there will be enough young people to grow our food in the future.
KPAX-Missoula interviewed Houston Blevins and Ethan Turner regarding the YF&R Leadership Conference.
YF&R Chair Nick Courville was interviewed by Non-Stop Local Taylor Richards regarding the purpose of the YF&R Leadership Conference.
EVP Kulbeck interviewed with the Montana Free Press on biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuels.
MSU Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee at the YF&R Leadership Conference in January in Missoula. More than 70 young people attended the event.
Farm Bureau Bank
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We’re the bank built for you, offering high-earning deposit accounts, personal and business credit cards, plus loans for vehicles and equipment.
Find out more about Farm Bureau Bank at www.FarmBureauBank.com
Duvall testifies on need for immediate farm bill
America’s farmers and ranchers need a new, modernized farm bill, a strengthened farm safety net, and open trading markets. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall traveled to the U.S. Capitol to emphasize those priorities to the Senate Agriculture Committee as he testified in the hearing “Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part I.”
“Farm families across the country are grateful that you recognized the incredibly hard times across the agricultural economy and included much-needed economic assistance and emergency aid for communities devastated by natural disasters in December’s Continuing Resolution,” Duvall said. “Despite the assistance in the CR, farmers still are looking to you all to pass a modernized, five-year farm bill.”
President Duvall took questions from lawmakers, including Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), who asked about the challenges farmers face without a new, modernized farm bill. Duvall said, “We are hearing that maybe 20% or more of our farmers are having difficulties getting operating loans. We’re in a time where that should have already been done, and they should have seed in the barn, ready to start planting. And, it’s really hitting them at a hard, difficult time. They’re telling us they’re losing money per acre – corn over $100 an acre losing. They’re having to make a decision to plant and not to plant.”
NATIONAL NEWS
Farm Bureau University
Learning is no longer confined to four walls and formalized training. Farm Bureau University allows Farm Bureau members to learn through interactive experiences online when and where they want. Farm Bureau members can log onto FB University from a desktop computer in their office or on an iPad in the field.
The free online training for members includes Building Blocks, Advocacy Skills and Farm Bureau Builder.
Visit fb.org for more information.
FB Book of the Year
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its 18th Book of the Year award to author Peggy Thomas for “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden.” The award was presented at the AFBF Convention.
“The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” follows Jackie and her garden friends as they discover the wonders of gardening, soil secrets and the magic of composting.
For more information on the book and to purchase it, visit https://store.agfoundation. org.
Farm Bureau delegates set policy
Farmer and rancher delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th Convention adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2025. Key topics ranged from labor to rural broadband to trade.
For the third year, delegates were polled at the beginning of the voting session regarding their farms. The results show 97 percent of those who cast votes operate family farms and nearly two-thirds represent small-to mid-size farms as defined by USDA.
Several Montana Farm Bureau Federation policies made their way through the grassroots process and were passed by the AFBF voting delegates including increasing state and federal funding for agricultural irrigation, using science and consultant reviews when reviewing grazing permits, including cryptosporidiosis (severe scours) in the USDA Disaster Relief programs, ensuring dietary guidelines include the benefits of red meat, and increasing the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wool Marketing rate.
MFBF President Cyndi Johnson and Vice President Casey Mott represented their state on the delegate floor. Mott, a cattle rancher from Custer, spoke on the floor regarding MFBF’s resolution on grazing permits.
“When the Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service makes decisions about grazing land, they rely only on field staff to provide information, many of whom are recent college graduates who know nothing about that land,” Mott told the delegation.
This resolution says federal agencies should use generational landowner knowledge and local expertise rather than simply relying on one of their employees who may be unfamiliar with land management of an area.”
For the full story visit mfbf.org/media/news.
Farm Bureau encouraged by Mexico tariff delay
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on February 3, 2025 on the 30-day tariff extension agreement reached between the United States and Mexico.
“Farm Bureau is encouraged that the United States and Mexico have agreed to delay the use of tariffs for the next month. Tariffs and tariff retaliation often hit farmers and ranchers hard, which make it more difficult for them pay their bills and grow the food America’s families rely on.
“We understand there is a similar conversation taking place with Canada to avoid costly trade disruptions, and we appreciate the Administration making every effort to resolve these disputes, keep international markets accessible and ensure a stable food supply here at home.”
MFBF President Cyndi Johnson and Vice President Casey Mott.
MONTANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
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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.
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COUNTY NEWS
Counties plan for coming year, host events
Despite some cold weather in January and into February, county Farm Bureau made plans for the coming months.
Yellowstone County held a productive Program of Work meeting the second week of January and will have a booth at the MATE February 20-22 in Billings.
Cascade County held a Program of Work meeting in February. They also had a booth at the MAGIE in Great Falls and hosted a seminar with Dr. Cathy Lockard with Headwaters Livestock Nutrition who talked about key nutrition elements to consider in the field while getting ready for calving season.
Carbon-Stillwater County’s board met January 15 in Fromberg to discuss their Program of Work.
Broadwater, Meagher, DawsonWibaux, Richland and Ravalli Counties all held board meetings in January to discuss plans for the coming year.
Rosebud-Treasure County held a safety seminar and an EMT training February 7 at the Hysham Community Center.
Northwest Counties held a board meeting in Bigfork to go over their plan of work. They also hosted a calving seminar with Dr. Katie Rein, Crazy Mountain Veterinary Service, and her fiberglass cow, February 8 in Ronan.
Dawson-Wibaux County had a booth at the GATE February 14-15 in Glendive.
At the American Farm Bureau Convention’s opening session, President Zippy Duvall recognized county Farm Bureau presidents for their dedication and leadership. Cascade County President Merrill McKamey was specifically highlighted, with his photo displayed on the convention center screens. This photo was also featured on a digital billboard in New Orleans, showcasing farmers and ranchers near the Superdome in the lead-up to the Super Bowl. (Merrill McKamey photo by Sage Dubois Photo Art.)
The Yellowstone County board with the youngest member two-week-old Kaelynn Weimertz.
Members of the Northwest County board; others joined via Zoom.
The Carbon-Stillwater County board gets ready to review their Program of Work in Fromberg.
