MFU Introduces New Staff Members

have 3 children. Michaela is a freshman at Montana State University while my daughter Mackenzie and son Peyton attend Cascade High School. My family loves to camp, hunt and fish when we have free time. I feel that there is nothing more important than family.

MARCH 2023

3/5 - 3/7

National Farmers Union Annual Convention

San Francisco, CA

Aloha all, my name is Kari Kester or “Kari from Kauai,” as friends in Montana like to call me. My family and I moved to Great Falls about six-anda-half years ago from Kauai, HI.We love this beautiful state and try to be outside as much as possible enjoying outdoor activities. We also love to hit the slopes, and you will find us at Showdown almost every winter weekend.

While on Kauai, I worked for DuPont/Pioneer research station for 13 years, and for Stewart Title Guaranty in Real Estate Information for 11 years in both Colorado and on Kauai.

Growing up in rural Nebraska and coming from a farming family gave me a huge appreciation for agriculture.

Today, I own Montana Fresh, through which I grow and sell microgreen varieties to local restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, a charcuterie business as well as other local businesses and individuals in our community.

I am excited about working as an administrative assistant with MFU because of all they do for the farming community and family farms.

MATTHEW HAUK, EDUCATION DIRECTOR

My name is Matthew Hauk, and I am the new Education Director for Montana Farmers Union. I grew up in Stanford, Montana and graduated high school from Stanford. I went on to Jamestown College in North Dakota to receive my degree in Education and Biology. Later, I completed my Master’s Degree in Education from Montana State University Billings. Educating the students in the State of Montana has been my life mission.

During my career in education, I taught science and coached basketball at Circle High School and Stanford High School and was an administrator at Valier High School. I also worked at Dawson Community College in Glendive, MT. At DCC, I worked for the TRIO Grant which is a government funded grant for low income, first generation, and low income students. I also taught adjunct classes in math and science and was the assistant men’s basketball coach. In Great Falls, Montana I worked for the University of Providence as the Director of Student Support Services and taught adjunct classes.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family. My wife Carla and I

With my position at the MFU, there are two main components. The first is youth education and the second is adult education. The youth education component has several areas. The most well known are our summer camps at Arrowpeak Lodge. We have 5 camps this summer along with a one week camp staff training. Cooperation, Agriculture, and Leadership are the 3 main goals of camp. Educating youth also includes presenting agriculture topics at County Agriculture Days. Another component of youth education is going into schools around the state and presenting topics to students that will increase their knowledge about agriculture with the goal of leading them to occupations in farming and ranching.

The next step, is to provide education for our adult Montana Farmers Union members. Topics include things like livestock nutrition, grazing rotations, soil health and many more. We have opportunities such as the Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership (Fuel) program that provides annual education cohorts around the Nation to learn concepts ranging from emotional intelligence and conflict resolution to public speaking. Adult education can often be overlooked but is just as important as youth education.

3/15

Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs election deadline

3/25

Chickpeas, Lentils & Green/Yellow

Peas early plant date

3/31-4/1

Eastern Montana Women’s Conference

Sidney, MT

4/6

Spring Wheat, Durum & Barley early plant date

4/15

Mustard early plant date

Montana is a special place where my wife and I have spent our entire lives. My wife’s family still has a farm by Valier, Montana and my son’s lifelong dream is to run a ranch. This is the reason that I joined the team at Montana Farmers Union. It is so important to help preserve this way of life for future generations. My father has always said that it is tough to be a small Farmer and Rancher in today’s world, and that is why I want to help educate Montanans about agriculture and its importance to Montana’s way of life.

-MONTANA FARMERS UNION-