MONTANA Farm Bureau
News Brief
TOP STORIES
Summer Conference set for Fairmont in June
The MFBF Summer Conference is slated for June 9-11, 2025, at Fairmont Hot Springs. The annual event kicks off Monday with the MFB Foundation and Board meetings along with a Young Farmer & Rancher Day Meeting/Tours, the ACE program and Women’s Leadership Committee Meeting.
Workshops, advisory committee meetings and the Foundation Fundraiser fill out Tuesday’s schedule, with educational tours and the annual Foundation Golf Scramble & Calcutta Wednesday.
For the full schedule and registration, see the form inside this News Brief or visit mfbf.org/about/events Watch our social media channels for additional information on speakers and activities. Early registration is due May 27!
May Membership Month
May membership month means it is time to recruit your neighbors and friends as Farm Bureau members. Whether they are actively farming and ranching or simply appreciate agriculture, let them know of the many reasons to join our top organization. Plus, the county who recruits the most members receives a steak dinner cooked by MFBF staff! Visit with your county president for more information.
Mental Health Month
May brings awareness regarding mental health challenges and suicide prevention. Resources exist to assist those who need help including American Farm Bureau’s FarmStateofMind.org,Togetherall and Beyondtheweather.com
Corvallis student wins Foundation Speech Contest
The MFB Foundation continues to support youth in agriculture, including the popular and educational Youth Speech Contest.
Addison Bishop, a student with the Summerdale 4-H Club in Corvallis, scored first place in the Montana Farm Bureau Foundation (MFBFo) Speech Contest held April 3 during the 2025 FFA State Convention at Montana State University in Bozeman.
Bishop tackled the thought-provoking questions: What do you envision as your future role in agriculture? What are your goals and the challenges you might face? What resources are available for young individuals to plan their future role in agriculture? Her plan includes going to medical school and practicing in rural Montana, addressing the need for more healthcare availability in small towns across the state.
The Youth Speech Contest was open to
students in the 7th, 8th and 9th grades and needed to be between 2.5 and 4 minutes in length.
Bishop won $400 and bragging rights for winning the tough competition out of 19 contestants. The MFBFo awarded more than $1000 in prize money to first place through fifth place.
The runners up included Riley Denniston, Park FFA, second place; Allison Hershberger, Denton FFA, third place; Layla Dice, Miles City FFA, fourth place, and Chelise Stone, Geraldine FFA, fifth place.
“I’ve judged the FFA speech contest several times, and I always enjoy it,” said MFB Foundation Board member Scott Stoner. “I look forward to interacting with the students and their interpretation of the agriculture questions. They do an amazing job!”
For more information on the Montana Farm Bureau Foundation visit mfbf.org/ Foundation
First-place contestant Addison Bishop, center, with (left to right), MFB Foundation Board Member Tim Gill, MFBF Women’s Leadership Committee Heidi Brewer, MFBF President Cyndi Johnson and MFB Foundation Board Member Scott Stoner.
Judith Basin County held a board meeting April 2 to plan their spring and summer work.
On April 5, Ravalli and Northwest Counties hosted their second annual Brandings and Bad Decisions dance at the Missoula County Fairgrounds in collaboration with Tanner Laws Music, the Grizzly Stomp and MSU Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers. More than 100 people enjoyed the evening.
Fergus County participated in the 4-H Ambassador Farm Safety Day April 8. The Ambassadors received a mini-grant from the MFB Foundation to help pay for the use of the pavilion and goodies for the snack station. Fergus County had two stations: Grain Entrapment and ATV Safety.
Richland County held a board meeting April 10 and an Ag in the Classroom event April 24 at Richland County Fairgrounds with a presentation about beef by-products to over 300 area students.
Valley County held a board meeting April 10.
Roosevelt County held an Ag Safety Day April 16 for grades K-6 at Culbertson School.
Dawson-Wibaux County held their county board meeting April 23.
COUNTY NEWS
Lewis & Clark County is holding their Ag Day May 13 for fourth grade students from East Helena and surrounding schools at Prickly Pear Simmental Ranch.There will be 15 ag education stations.
Cascade County will host their much-anticipated branding station at the Cascade Conservation District Ag Days with 800+ students May 15-16.
Front Range Counties is holding their annual Goofy Golf June 21 at Elaine and Bill McLean’s ranch east of Brady. It’s a scramble pasture golf tournament with four tennis balls and nine “holes.” Use whatever you need from a hockey stick to a shovel to hit. A taco feed follows the fun. Look for more information in the next News Brief or call 406-7884877.
Chouteau County is making plans for their Fort Benton Summer Celebration Community Breakfast June 28. They expect to feed over 300 people this year and be in the parade.
Yellowstone County has a friendly challenge to each county Farm Bureau to support their local Ronald McDonald House by donating Montana beef, or more than $250 earmarked for beef, for their freezers. County Farm Bureau leaders received an email with more information on the challenge.
Above: Fergus County’s Kris Descheemaeker talks about helmets during the 4-H Ambassadors Farm Safety Day. Below: Jill Wright covers dangers of grain entrapment.
Happy dancers at the Brandings and Bad Decisions event.
Roosevelt County Secretary Traci West helps with the grain safety station at Culbertson School.
Richland County presented the March 20 First-Babyof-Spring basket to Lacey and Dan Tedlund and baby Cecilia.
Houston Blevins brands a table during Brandings and Bad Decisions.