V O L U M E 3 0
O C TO B E R 2 0 2 1
M O N TA N A
GRASS ROOTS
F E E D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H F A R M E R S U N I O N E D U C AT I O N A P U B L I C AT I O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N PAGE 2 Exciting Development on MPPC Project!
PAGE 4 MFU Travels to Western Montana For Rebuilding Food Resiliency Workshop
MEMBER profile
PAGE 5 Farmers Union Launches Fairness for Farmers Campaign
PAGE 11 Tester Unveils American Labeling Beef Act
12MT RANCH
A LEAP OF FAITH MAKES A LIFE-LONG DREAM COME TRUE FOR TWO HI-LINE RANCHERS B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O E D I TO R
For first-time ranchers Mark and Tammy Copenhaver, every day is a learning experience and a lesson in communication. It took 30 plus years to fulfill their dream, and with nearly a year of ranching under their belt, it's been a wild ride. Tammy is from the High-Line, and Mark was born and raised in the area. They made a life in Helena, MT, for the past three decades, where they raised their two girls Jeri and Jacki. Tammy worked for Mountain-Pacific Quality Health most recently and
PAGE 2 Calumet Refinery Commits to a Renewable Future
Mark for Veteran Affairs. In 2020 they left the city life behind and purchased a ranch in Hingham, MT near Gildford from Roger and Mabel Lincoln. Mark is a distant cousin of Mabel's. Roger was a farmer and crop sprayer. The call sign for Roger's grass landing strip was 12MT. Looking for a way to honor Roger's legacy and preserve the history of the land, they named the property 12MT ranch. Mark and Tammy purchased a herd of Black Angus on Facebook Marketplace, and overnight, the Copenhavers became cattle ranchers. "Ranching has its trials and tribulations. In retirement, I was going after no commitments and no responsibility, and what I got was cows, horses, dogs, and kids. There is a lot of good with the lifestyle. The cows are the fun part. We are getting better at communication. If ranching does anything, it teaches you patience. After 30 years of marriage, we are still learning that."
The Girard/Copenhaver family: Ryan Girard, Jacki Girard with daugther Maren Grace Girard, Tammy Copenhaver with grandaugther Ella Jo Girard, Jeri Copenhaver, M Virginia Toycen and Mark Copenahver. Courtesy Tammy Copenhaver.
STATE CONVENTION PREVIEW!
Any rancher will tell you that the learning process is constant, and for first-time ranchers, each day brings new challenges.
PAGE 11 4-H Livestock Sales See Huge Increase
C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6
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