Raised in the West | Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

CODI & JASPER

They Made it to the Top of The World

KEEPING MONTANA'S HERITAGE ALIVE Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame Scholarships

WHAT'S FOR DINNER AT COWBOY MEATS? It's Beef!

SHOWING UP READY TO WORK DAY AFTER DAY

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contents

10 10 MONTANA PRO RODEO HALL AND WALL OF FAME

16 WHAT'S FOR DINNER AT COWBOY MEATS?

22 JEAN’S CUISINES

28

FRYING UP A FRENZY

36

MONTANA GARDENING

40

MARKED BY A CROSS

44

24 FOR THE UECKER’S 4-H HAS PLAYED A BIG ROLE

46

OUT & ABOUT

CODI & JASPER THEY MADE IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD

32 FFA STUDENT BANKS ON PIGGIES 4 // www.raisedinthewest.com

16

34

SUMMER EVENTS AROUND THE REGION

28

SUMMER 2021

PUBLISHER CYD & STU HOEFLE 406-860-0292 // publisher@raisedinthewest.com COPY EDITOR ED KEMMICK ADVERTISING CYD HOEFLE 406-860-0292 // publisher@raisedinthewest.com STU HOEFLE 406-860-4109 DESIGN MELANIE FABRIZIUS ads@raisedinthewest.com ADDRESS RAISED IN THE WEST PO Box 80267 // Billings, MT 59108

COVER CODI UECKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLA WALKER

©2020 Peaks to Prairie Media All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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Whether buying or selling, Sonny Todd Real Estate is here for you; specializing in farm, ranch, recreational & local residential real estate.

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Logan Todd 406.930.3673

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© Sonny Todd Real Estate | www.sonnytoddrealestate.com | info@sonnytoddrealestate.com 301 W. 1st Ave., Suite C, PO Box 828, Big Timber, MT 59011 | 406.932.1031

note from the publisher We met someone very special a few weeks ago. Our beautiful grandson, Zach Elliot Hyland was born in May. He was nearly two weeks old before we could get away to meet him. Of course, it was love at first sight, he’s adorable in every way! Our daughter and son-in-law will be awesome parents and we feel blessed beyond measure adding this new grandchild to our family.

As excited as we are, we admit to an anxiousness for his future.

The uncertainty and the changes going on in our country right now will surely be detrimental to the stability of our children and grandchildren’s lives. It’s depressing to read the headlines or listen to the news. Change is happening so rapidly, it’s more imperative than ever that we hang on to our roots and continue fighting for our families and our freedoms. Thankfully families and organizations across Montana are doing that.

In this issue, we showcased several young adults well on their way to doing great things. Each of them gives credit to 4-H and FFA for developing goals, guidelines, discipline, and motivation to ensure the success of their projects. In addition, huge praise was given to their parents for giving them opportunities to strengthen their passion. The support and the guidance along the way has helped set them on a foundation to succeed.

It’s parents, people and organizations that will give the future generations the hope and opportunities they deserve.

We are continuing with our gardening series. Amy Grisak, shares ways to extend the growing season months beyond Montana’s norm. Her simple applications will stretch your food budget and help you feed your family delicious, wholesome vegetables, grown in your own backyard, long into fall and even winter.

Don’t miss our events page. It will give you and your family many ideas of ways to entertain yourselves this summer.

Despite the difficult times we are facing, it is our intent to continue moving forward with more determination to find wholesome, positive stories that reflect the true heart and sole of those that are raised in the west.

Here’s to a safe and fun filled summer. Get out and enjoy our beautiful state!

“For I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 18:8

We visited with the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame and were impressed with their determination to raise money, awarded as scholarships, to young rodeo talents seeking higher education. Investing in high school rodeo athletics for the past sixteen years has helped over 200 Montana students with college expenses.

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contributors MELANIE FABRIZIUS

KAYLA WALKER

GRAPHIC DESIGN____________________________________

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER______________________________

Melanie was raised on a farm on the banks of the Clarks Fork River in Belfry. Her life-long love of art led her to a career as a freelance graphic designer. When she’s not busy working, Melanie enjoys being with family, spending time with her dogs, camping, ATVing, collecting rocks and watching the sunset. Check out her art at www.melaniefab.com and follow her on Instagram @melaniefabart.

Originating from a fifth-generation Montana ranch, Kayla has a real connection to the agriculture industry and the cherished western lifestyle synonymous with the state. This upbringing is what drives her to excel in her current position as Western Ag Reporter Editor and nonstop position as an ag communicator.

Whether it be through photography, writing, social media, or design, she strives to share the story of this way of life on a day-today basis. Keep up with her work at www.ranchraisedmedia.com or by following Ranch Raised Media on Facebook and Instagram.

JEAN PETERSEN WRITER __________________________________________

Jean is a cookbook and children’s picture book author, freelance writer and has been a weekly columnist with Western Ag Reporter for over 15 years. She and her husband live near the Beartooth Mountains in Red Lodge with their four children. Most days she can be found outdoors with her animals or on a hike, at her children’s activities, or cozying up writing and reading. You can find her at www.jeanpetersen.com.

STU HOEFLE JACK OF ALL TRADES_________________________________

Stu is a photographer, editor, and title twister. He’s also an encourager, entertainer and travel partner. He helps with story lines, asks great questions, and looks at every angle. When he’s not helping with the magazine, he’s helping someone else. He can be found with a fishing rod, a camera or a packed bag and promises, or threatens that he’s going to disappear someday to a sandy beach with a grass hut, an endless river or a mountain top…he won’t say which.

AMY GRISAK WRITER __________________________________________

Great Fall’s writer, Amy Grisak balances her life between the mountains and the prairie looking for stories that catch her interest. This award-winning writer shares what she loves with readers, whether it's finding gorgeous hikes in Glacier National Park or how to push the gardening envelope in our challenging Montana climate. Look for her book, Nature Guide to Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, published by Falcon Guides, in 2021 and follow her work at amygrisak.com.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

CHARLIE DENISON WRITER __________________________________________

Charlie Denison is a freelance writer, singer/songwriter and award-winning Montana journalist. He lives in Lewistown, where he works as Train Coordinator for the Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce. His stories have been featured in "Chicken Soup for the Soul," "Montana Quarterly," "Rural Montana" and other publications.

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CALL TODAY TO ADVERTISE! Cyd Hoefle • 406.860.0292 publisher@raisedinthewest.com 8 // www.raisedinthewest.com

— MAIL A CHECK TO —

Raised In The West PO Box 80267, Billings MT 59108 OR PAY ONLINE AT www.raisedinthewest.com

A FEW RECIPIENTS OF MTPRHWF SCHOLARSHIPS

ACROSS MONTANA 10 // www.raisedinthewest.com

WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOS BY STU HOEFLE AND CONTRIBUTED BY JAY LINDERMAN

heritage alive MONTANA PRO RODEO HALL AND WALL OF FAME SCHOLARSHIPS

WALL OF FAME AT FIRST INTERSTATE ARENA IN BILLINGS

When the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame (MPRHWF) was organized over 16 years ago, the mission was severalfold. They were dedicated to preserving the western and rodeo heritage of Montana, as well as contributing financially to Montana high school students set on continuing their education.

The non-profit group provides scholarships to high school students involved in the Montana High School Rodeo Association.

The scholarships are given to youth displaying talent, academic achievement, community service and need, and goes toward helping them continue their education at any university or trade school in the country.

The organization’s most public display of honoring the rodeo heritage is an 18-foot bronze of Dan Mortensen located outside MetraPark (Now called First Interstate Arena). Mortensen, a

decorated Montana rodeo cowboy achieved six World Saddle Bronc Championships and one World All Around Cowboy Championship titles. Unveiled in 2002, it was befitting that the statue by Western artist, R.F. Rains, became the centerpiece of the Montana Wall of Champions at the First Interstate Arena at MetraPark in Billings.

Next to the Mortensen bronze, two brick walls from the Wall of Fame showcase the names of every World Champion and Circuit Champion from Montana. In addition, a wall of stone blocks commemorates ranches across Montana that are living the western lifestyle and leaving a legacy. Some of the ranches are over 100 years old and are 4 to 5 or more generations deep.

While the mission of the organization is to celebrate rodeo and the western lifestyle, they also recognize that it’s the up-and-coming

SUMMER 2021 // 11

JAY LINDERMAN STANDS BEFORE HIS TRAVELING TRAILER

younger generation that will ultimately keep the lifestyle alive. For that reason, they are dedicated to raising $40,000 annually to give out in $3000 increments to high school students in rodeo that desire to pursue higher education.

number of scholarships promised to applicants.

A fresh perspective was needed, and the board found it in Jay Linderman. A retired steer wrestler, ranch manager and businessman, Jay had time on his Early on, it was hands to do what easy to raise he wanted to do. An that amount, an unpaid volunteer, annual banquet, he chose to help the held in January, MPRHWF and take and attended by it to a new level.

To date, we’ve given approximately Since joining the away over $600,000 in 800 people would organization three raise the money years ago, he’s scholarships to Montana in one night. The been instrumental kids heading to college." money was then in raising public —JAY LINDERMAN distributed to the awareness of the recipients at the association and Montana High getting more people School State Finals in June. involved.

“

But times changed. Several years ago, the venue where the banquet was held was no longer available. The next applicable venue was half the size, which resulted in half the funding. Costs went up, donations went down. Suddenly the organization was dipping into their savings account to accommodate the

12 // www.raisedinthewest.com

“Times changed,” Jay said. “What worked in the beginning doesn’t anymore. So, it was necessary to figure out a way to be able to keep doing what we do.”

For the last several years, Jay has traveled to numerous events, setting up a booth with his brightly painted trailer,

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SUMMER 2021 // 13

A BRONZE OF DAN MORTENSEN AND THE WALL OF FAME OUTSIDE FIRST INTERSTATE ARENA

educating people about the scholarships and hoping to get more people involved and donating to the cause.

Montana kids heading to college,” he said. “At $3000 each, that’s over 200 of ‘our kids’ that have benefited from what we do.”

“To date, we’ve given away over $600,000 in scholarships to

Jay’s objective is to educate the public about MPRHWF and to garner membership into the organization to raise some of the annual funding.

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With Jay’s help, the organization came up with several divisions founded for individuals and businesses wanting to participate, including the Legacy Club and the Endowment program, both established for those wanting to make a donation of anywhere from $50 to $5000 that will go directly to scholarships.

But the most exciting fund raiser to date is the new Bronze Series. The team is commissioning several artists to do tabletop bronzes of Montana rodeo legends.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Jay said. “When we unveiled that first bronze, it was very well received.”

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MPRHWF plans to do a series of 12 bronzes, celebrating Montana rodeo legacies, both past and present. The first bronze was unveiled in May of this year at the Wall of Fame in Billings and once again featured Dan Mortensen. This time the sculptor commissioned was Bob Burkhart. He cast 15 bronzes which were available through auctions, raffles and private purchase. Two months later, only 4 remain.

2021

•EVENTS• promoting

MRFHWF Scholarships

& opportunities to purchase bronzes are: JUNE 24 – 27

Art of the Cowgirl, Bozeman

JULY 1 AND JULY 3

Red Lodge Home of Champions Rodeo Calcutta

JULY 24

Re-Ride Reunion, Sacajawea Inn, Three Forks

JULY 29 – 31

Last Chance Stampede Calcutta Auction, Helena

AUGUST 15

PRCA Rodeo auction of Mortensen bronze, Cascade

THINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR PROPERTY?

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34

PROPERTIES SOLD IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

BY JEFF & MEREDITH MCKINNEY

OCTOBER 2

MPRHWF Annual Scholarship Banquet, Billings

Following Mortensen will be bronzes of 11 other Montana rodeo legends including Deb Greenough, Bill Linderman, Larry Peabody, Ty Erickson, and Haven Meged to name a few.

IF YOU HAVE CONSIDERED SELLING, BUYER DEMAND HAS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. WHEN YOU ARE READY, WE ARE HERE.

At the recent Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, $3000 was raised when one of the Mortensen bronzes was auctioned off during the sale.

“It was a big deal,” Jay said. “We talked to a lot of folks and that first auction was really something. We’re working on the next one already.”

The MPRHWF is preserving the legacy of rodeo in Montana, which reaches far into the state’s past and is well ingrained in Montana history

JEFF AND MEREDITH MCKINNEY

"We’re the largest high school rodeo scholarship program in the country and we want to help as many kids as we can. Every little bit helps out,” Jay concluded.

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SUMMER 2021 // 15

what's for

dinner at cowboy meats? !

F EE It's B

FORSYTH MONTANA 16 // www.raisedinthewest.com

WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU HOEFLE

THE RETAIL STORE IN COWBOY MEATS

It’s Monday morning at Cowboy Meats in Forsyth, Montana, and all hands are on deck.

Despite the intense work, members of the team manage to badger one another, teasing as they go about their work. The camaraderie and playfulness show the depth of respect they have for one another and the enjoyment they have in their work.

In the processing room, a team of eight is custom-cutting a beef carcass. As the quarters of beef come in from the hanging room, they are broken down into smaller portions and then laid atop two Cowboy Meats was established in July 2020 when the Hollenbeck tables where butchers are standing family bought C&K Meats. A shoulder to shoulder. Wearing heavy Montana ranch family from Molt, aprons and using knives sharpened the Hollenbecks raise cattle and to a razor’s edge, the team of seven sheep. men and one woman works quickly, I believe in helping stability by Charlie Hollenbeck, the youngest efficiently and steadily. of three sons, was the first in versatility. It’s what first got me to The prime cuts are the first to the family to think about a meat be carved from the carcass. One processing plant. With an education thinking strongly about diversifying butcher is trimming off the top layer in processing plant technology, the ranch into something more.” of fat on the ribs, and another grabs he gained experience in the oil them and takes them to the band field working on wells and the — CHARLIE HOLLENBECK saw to be cut into perfect steaks. construction of plants.

The rib steaks pile up as another “I believe in helping stability by worker puts them into packages versatility,” Charlie said. “It’s what to be vacuum-packed, labeled and first got me to thinking strongly about diversifying the ranch into frozen. As the different sections of carcass work their way down something more.” the table, the butchers process them into a variety of cuts. At the far end of the room, the less prime cuts are being put into a When C&K Meats came up for sale, Charlie was working in machine to be ground into burger.

Watford, North Dakota. Not having a background in meats, he

“

SUMMER 2021 // 17

CHARLIE HOLLENBECK, OWNER

ERIC LAWRENCE, PLANT MANAGER

would spend his free time studying how to butcher a carcass and watching “Butcher” on the History Channel.

weekly number to grow up to 16 to 18, with a long-term goal of processing 50 head a week.

“It fascinated me,” he continued. “There’s so much science and flow to the deconstruction of a carcass.”

“We’re growing, but we want to do it well,” Charlie said. “We pride ourselves on our consistency with our product. Billings is a huge market for us. At some point we will need to have a distributor handle the demand.”

Once the Hollenbecks — Charlie, his brother Henry and their parents — decided to purchase the business, the first decision made was that former employees would be given the option to continue working. Three of them stayed on.

“We were very grateful for that,” Charlie said. “It was a good starting point. They were familiar with the entire process and gave us a good start.”

“

I thrive on the intensity of this job.

Some days are 10 and 12 hours long, but they fly by because we’re so busy.”

— ERIC LAWRENCE

One of those employees is Eric Lawrence, whom Charlie promoted to plant manager within months.

For Eric, it’s been a great opportunity to continue the work that he started, knowing there is opportunity for advancement.

“I thrive on the intensity of this job,” he said. “Some days are 10 and 12 hours long, but they fly by because we’re so busy.”

The plant is currently processing about 10 head a week. But an expansion that is already under construction will allow that

18 // www.raisedinthewest.com

Dustyn Anzalone is the smoke house manager. It’s his job to handle all the meats that need to be smoked, including hams, bacon, sausages, pepper sticks and brats.

“I really enjoy coming up with new flavors,” Dustyn said. “I’ve been allowed to be creative here.”

In addition to being the head of the smoke house, Dustyn has a reputation for being the fastest skinner on kill day. In fact, he’s been timed at skinning an entire carcass in just four minutes.

“It’s fun,” he said with a grin. “I learned how to butcher deer while I was growing up, but it was all wrong! It makes a tremendous difference when you’re skinning with sharp knives and right after a kill.”

The plant is on a two-week rotation, with all the carcasses

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hanging for two weeks from kill to cutting. Most of the beef comes from Hollenbeck feeder calves that are finished at a feedlot in Park City. But several nearby ranches also bring their animals in to be processed.

“We are 18 months out,” Charlie said. “The people that are our steadies know when they will need to bring animals in and they’re making sure they are on the calendar.”

With continued changes in consumer habits, many ranches have begun offering farm-to-table options for customers willing to purchase beef in larger quantities, including quarters, halves and wholes. Cowboy Meats also offers those options, and because they use their own beef, their customers know exactly where their beef was raised, how it was cared for and how they want it to be cut up.

Charlie said he wants his plant to operate somewhere between full-scale retail and full-scale custom. By offering both, it helps the company stay competitive in prices and offerings.

20 // www.raisedinthewest.com

Kelly McDaniel began working at C&K Meats as a teenager. She is the processing room manager and makes sure that everything is organized on the days when butchering takes place. She assigns the positions in the process room and makes sure each team member is rotated for variety of work and to keep their skills sharp.

“I’m very grateful to Charlie for seeing the potential in me,” Kelly said. “He pushes us to be better at what we do and we strive to be better.”

Office Manager Bailey Wiggins agrees. “Everybody here tries to make everyone else’s life easier,” she said.”

Charlie said wants his employees to feel like a family. He holds weekly meetings on Monday mornings before the work starts and encourages his employees to offer up ideas on how to make things run better and more smoothly.

“He gives us responsibility and holds us accountable,” Bailey said. “It makes it a great place to work.”

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At Cowboy Meats, growth will continue with the well-laid plans of the Hollenbecks, the supportive team of employees, the loyalty of customers and the pride of the community.

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SUMMER 2021 // 21

RED RHEODTHBOUTYBUY

711471171 LimiL t i2ma RED RHEOD

LET’S EAT

WRITTEN BY JEAN PETERSEN

Jean’s C uisines Jean's • • • • • • • • • • •

Becca's • • • • • • •

FAMOUS FRITO SALAD

2 cans whole corn (drained) 1 red pepper (diced) 1 green bell pepper (diced) 1 small red onion (diced) 1 cup mayonnaise 1 heaping tablespoon Ranch powdered dressing mix 1 bag Chili Fritos

CAMPFIRE BEANS

1 lb. bacon 2 lbs. Ground beef ¼ cup dried minced onions 1 heaping tsp. Kosher salt ½ cup ketchup 1 tsp. dry mustard 1 cup brown sugar 2 cans baked beans (28 oz. cans-not drained) 1 dash of liquid smoke ¼ cup jalapenos 2 tablespoons jalapeno juice from jar

DIRECTIONS: In a slow cooker, crumble beef, add onions, salt, ketchup, dry mustard, brown sugar, beans, dash of liquid smoke, jalapenos, and jalapeno juice. Stir together. Layer the bacon in strips across the top of the bean mixture. Set slow cooker for 8 hours, stir a couple times, and prior to serving ensure all bacon is mixed into the beans-it will break down as it slow cooks and should easily separate into the mix. It’s important to layer the bacon and let it soak through the beans all day. Serve hot beside grilled steaks or chicken, or by itself with campfire fresh dutchoven cornbread.

DIRECTIONS: Mix corn, red and green bell peppers, red onion, mayo and ranch together. Chill in the refrigerator, and mix the entire bag of Frito’s into the salad just prior to serving.

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22 // www.raisedinthewest.com

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Downtown Location

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F

4-H S PLAY

A BIG RO

PHOTO BY KAYLA WALKER

LEWISTOWN MONTANA 24 // www.raisedinthewest.com

WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU HOEFLE AND KAYLA WALKER

In a serene setting just outside of Lewistown, with an artist’s view of the Little Snowy Mountains, sits a little sliver of paradise.

Twenty-six years ago, when Penny and John Uecker found this chunk of land, there were no other houses in the area. Over the years, neighbors have come closer and closer, but for the Ueckers it’s been a perfect location to raise their six kids and all kinds of animals.

“It’s been a perfect spot,” Penny said. “Our kids have thrived here.”

As each child became old enough, they were offered the opportunity to do 4-H, and each of them did.

Animal projects became a way of life and today, with only the youngest, Bailey and Allie, left at home, close to 100 animals still share the property with the family.

Penny just shakes her head.

“Our daughters all love the horses and have spent millions of hours riding and showing them,” she said.

“But they each have their own interests, too. And that makes for a lot of animals!”

In a well-designed barn yard, complete with a fiveBAILEY UECKER STANDS IN FRONT OF HER EXOTIC CHICKENS stall barn, a chicken coop, rabbit hutches and a goat barn, can be found exotic ducks and chickens, goats, rabbits, horses, a couple of hogs and a burro. Barn cats patrol the area, and four dogs add to the mix.

“The kids take care of their own livestock,” Penny added. “If they aren’t going to be here, they have to leave instructions because I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Bailey, 18, who just finished high school and will be heading to Rocky Mountain College in the fall, is an outstanding horsewoman.

“

Our sdaughter al evlo the sehor and evha spent milons of shour ridng and wingsho them. But ythe each evha their wno est,inr to. And tha esmak orf a lot of animls!”

— PENNY UECKER

SUMMER 2021 // 25

She has won numerous awards around the state and region showing and riding horses. She also raises exotic chickens and ducks.

ALLIE UECKER AND HER RAB

As the current president of the Lewistown FFA chapter and vice-president of her 4-H club, Bailey keeps busy. She loves her poultry and says her first project was when she came home with three baby chicks, at age 10. Her interest and research grew over the years. Among the assortment of birds are a miniature Applewood, Mandarin, and Call ducks. She raises them for show and for sale and there is obvious pride in her projects.

summer. Her interests also include rabbits, and she currently is the proud owner of almost a dozen of them.

“They’re adorable!” she exclaimed. “Just look at the colors!”

Whites, copper, black, reds and green adorn the birds.

To score high in show poultry, judges look at color, plumage, weight and overall health. Bailey’s black rooster has highlights of green throughout his feathers.

“He does really well in shows,” Bailey continued. “He’s a very proud bird.”

In addition to the chickens, Bailey raises market hogs for the county fair and shows horses. Her horsemanship skills in both English and Western attracted the attention of multiple universities and she was offered riding scholarships at several before deciding to study environmental science at Rocky where she hopes to go into wildlife biology.

Younger sister Allie, 15, has just finished her freshman year in high school. She is also an avid horsewoman, and as a 10-yearold, she was in the top 10 of her class at the World Pinto Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She’s taken multiple state championships with the horses and plans to attend the World Pinto Show again this

26 // www.raisedinthewest.com

BITS

“I got my first bunny at the Chokecherry Festival,” she said with a laugh. “Mom gave me $10 to buy something to eat and I couldn’t resist the bunnies someone was selling. So, I bought one. Mom wasn’t too pleased at first.” Thumper, the first bunny, became the introduction to Allie’s interest in rabbits.

In the four years since, she has added dozens to her bunny population and done some breeding with her bucks and does.

“The gestation of a bunny is 27 to 30 days,” Allie explained. “The does usually have between two and four babies at a time.”

Allie breeds and trains some of her bunnies for agility. Similar to showing dogs, the bunnies are put through a course that includes jumps, tunnels, ramps and around poles.

“They are fairly easy to train,” she said. “I just start pushing them toward what they need to do, and they pick it up pretty quickly.”

4-H and FFA have kept the girls busy through the years. Care of the animals, horse shows and training clinics have taken the place of school extracurricular activities. The experience they and their older siblings received has helped them to decide what education and career paths to pursue and given them an impressive work ethic.

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LEWISTOWN MONTANA 28 // www.raisedinthewest.com

WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLA WALKER

THEY MADE IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD Along with younger sisters Bailey and Allie, Codi Uecker was raised with three older brothers on acreage outside of Lewistown.

She grew up showing and riding horses through 4-H and in open classes. But even before she joined the club at age 8, she was showing horses.

“I actually started showing at 3,” she said. “It was a lead line class. I guess it was pretty cute.”

Codi lives in nearby Lewistown but manages to drop by almost daily to help care for all the animals on the Uecker property. She owns several paints, Jasper, Chet and Lola, and a herd of two dozen goats.

“I get out here almost every day,” she said. “I love to stop by and see my animals. That’s not ever going to change!”

Over the years, she’s had several paints and a few Quarter horses, but it’s with Jasper that she has gone the furthest.

“

With a career as a jockey, and a love of horses herself, Penny and her husband, John, gave Codi and her sisters every advantage they could when it came to learning how to show, ride, train and handle horses.

“We attended a lot of clinics and met with trainers over the years,” Codi said. “It really helped form my interests. Of course, 4-H helped give me a place to learn, advance and grow, too.”

With wins piling up across the region, Codi set her sights on attending the World Show with her Quarter Horses. She first attended in 2011, as a 12-year-old, where she made it to the semifinals before a misstep kicked her out.

We attended a lot of clinics and met with trainers over the years. It really helped form my interests. Of course, 4-H helped give me a place to learn, advance and grow, too.”

— CODI UECKER

When Codi talks about Jasper, there’s pride in her voice. He’s been a huge part of her life. Codi purchased him as a weanling and over the years she’s trained him and has shown him in competitions across the state and nation. If ever there was a story of a girl and her horse, it’s Codi and Jasper.

“I showed horses in 4-H,” Codi explained. “But at the same time, I started doing open shows around the area. My mom was a jockey so the interest in horses came naturally to me.”

It was at the Pinto World Show that she shined, and every year as a 16-, 17- and 18-year-old, Codi and her horses, Jasper and Chet, consistently placed in the top five to 10 spots in every competition they entered. In addition to the World Show, they won over and over in shows across the country, accumulating hundreds of trophies and belt buckets and making a name for herself.

In 2014, she and Jasper took the World Title. She was 17 and was competing against hundreds of the top youth contestants in the world. What made her stand out, she believes, is her relationship with her horse.

“I worked Jasper all the time. He was a knot head for the first four years of his life,” she laughed. “I can’t count the number of times

SUMMER 2021 // 29

UECKER SISTERS, CODI, ALLIE AND BAILEY

I’d go into the house and tell Mom that he needs to go down the road. But something clicked when he hit 4. He became a brandnew horse.”

Codi kept returning to the World Show and added two Reserve Champion titles to her resume. As she climbed the ranks she went

from youth to amateur, continuing to compete in the program.

“I’ve kept at it because I enjoy going down there and competing with a horse that I trained myself.”

In the horse showing circuit, shows such as the World are often attended by people who have purchased their horse and paid a trainer to get them to the highest competitions.

“It’s an expensive hobby for lots of people,” Codi said. “If they don’t do well, they look for another horse, or another trainer, without realizing that the problem is that they don’t spend enough time with their horse in the first place.”

When Codi was 18, she was showing Jasper at the state 4-H show when a woman approached her about buying him for her daughter.

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30 // www.raisedinthewest.com

“I’d like to buy your horse,’ she said to me,” Codi recalled. “She followed me around for days asking over and over. ‘I’ll pay for your college education,’ she said.”

At first Codi didn’t take her seriously, but when she realized she was and that she was offering six figures for her horse, Codi stood her ground.

RIDE ON PUBLIC LANDS IN MONTANA? Photo Credit: Terry Reed

• Certified Forage Is Required •

MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE | 406.444.7819 | AGR.MT.GOV “When you put that much effort and work into something, you can’t put a price on it,” she said. “You get attached to them.

Jasper is going to grow old with me. He’s too much a part of my life to part with him.”

Codi took a break from the World Show during her years at Rocky Mountain College, where she was on the collegiate team for all four years. She placed in the top 10 every year for Rocky and won at the National Collegiate her junior year.

Since graduating from Rocky she has continued her education in nursing through Providence University. She is also making plans to return to the World Show with Jasper this year, perhaps for the last time as an amateur, before becoming a professional.

Going professional has always been a goal that Codi hopes to achieve. Ambitious goals for the 24-year-old as she continues her degree to become a nurse, works full time and cares for her animals.

“It would open a lot of opportunities up for me,” she continued.

“Along with having a career, I could train other horses, judge shows, maybe even do clinics. And of course, grow old with Jasper.”

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SUMMER 2021 // 31

FORMER FFA

STUDENT BANKS ON

PIGGIES JORDIE’S SHOW PIGS

Seven years ago, Jordan Grindheim would never have believed that one day she would be raising pigs to sell to 4-H and FFA kids.

Jordan started showing pigs when she was 9, purchasing them from a breeder and finishing them in time for the county fair. By age 14, she decided to try raising a few on her own. She bought two gilts and had them artificially inseminated, and when they produced 21 piglets between them, Jordan was in business.

JORDAN GRINDHEIM, OWNER

“That’s what started it for me,” she said. “That first year I sold all of them but a couple. It was fun and I wanted to keep going.”

In March of this year, at her seventh-annual piglet sale, Jordan sold 50 show pigs to 4-H and FFA members across the state.

Her reputation over the years has spread and she has repeat customers who depend on getting their show pigs from her every year.

A high school graduate from Roy, from a class of four, Jordan has always been a visionary.

“I’ve always been a goal setter,” she said. “I view them like a ladder, one step at a time until you get to the top. I’m always asking myself, ‘What do I have to do to make that happen?’”

In high school, Jordan used her show pig projects for her Supervised Agricultural Experience in FFA. Through it, she earned her American degree, an honorable degree that demonstrates outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.

Jordan attended Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, where she earned associate degrees in ag business, veterinary assistant and ag production. Even with a tremendous academic workload,

ROY MONTANA 32 // www.raisedinthewest.com

OF JORDIE’S SHOW PIGS

she still made the 200-mile trek home as many weekends as possible during her college career, especially during farrowing season.

“I’ve had to rely on my parents a lot,” she said. “I couldn’t do this without them.”

The family ranch, which sits outside of Roy at the base of the Judith Mountains, is a commercial cow-calf operation run by her parents, Shawn and Tammy. Along with the pigs, Jordan also has a growing herd of cows.

Jordan loves studying genetics and pores over the national boar catalogs after each farrowing season to shop for semen from boars she wants to introduce into her herd. She artificially inseminates nearly all of the sows because it’s far more cost effective and she can synchronize the births. Her pig barn holds six sows farrowing at the same time. So, Jordan, who with her mother does all the artificial insemination, tries to spread out the birthing to accommodate the facility and to keep them from being spread too thin.

WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY JORDAN GRINDHEIM

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PIP SQUEAK, A TOP SELLING HOG

“Once the birthing starts, piglets come about every half hour,” Jordan explained. “I really like for them to do it as naturally as possible, but it can get to be a long night waiting some of them out.”

As show hogs, Jordan looks for interesting patterns and colors for her pigs. She loves calico and bright colors and breeds her sows to produce them. She judges a hog from the ground up, starting with their feet and legs, ensuring that when they get to full weight, at about 200 pounds, they can adequately carry it. Her pigs have done well at county fairs, and have placed in champion and reserve champion positions.

Jordan claims that when she sells a pig to a young 4-H’er she also sells her expertise.

“I like to offer my experience to the kids,” she said. “One of the most satisfying things for me is hearing from one of my buyers how they have done at the fair and their hopes for the future.”

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At 21, Jordan is well on her way to making her mark in the show pig world and has high aspirations to one day raise a boar that makes the national boar stud farms for semen collection.

“That would culminate it for me,” she said.

“I would really love that!”

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SUMMER 2021 // 33

FRYING • UP A • FRENZY

ANDY BEAVER, OWNER OF ANDY’S DONUTS

The smell of fried donuts permeated the air around the tiny food truck as Andy Beavers stayed busy inside whipping up a fresh batch of the fried sweetened dough.

Parked in front of his family’s house, located five miles outside of Powell, Wyoming, Andy and his mom, Erin, worked well together as Erin rolled the dough and cut out the shapes and Andy placed them one by one in hot oil. As they finished cooking, the conveyor belt brought them out of the oil and plopped them onto a tray.

The two were working on a special order of 30 dozen donuts that needed to be delivered that afternoon. Andy visited while he worked, and explained how he, a graduating senior from Powell High School, got into the donut business.

“It really started back in middle school,” he said. “We were assigned to do a business plan using power point and I did it on donuts.”

The seed that had been planted in Andy might have come long before that though, as he tells of being a young child at their family’s cabin. His grandmother would get up in the morning and fry donuts for the family for breakfast.

“Those donuts became a family tradition,” Andy said. “Before long, I started frying them at home.”

In high school, Andy joined the local FFA chapter, and it was during his sophomore year that he launched his business, and named it Andy’s Donuts.

“I was making them in the kitchen, using a cast iron skillet,” he said. “I’d make them two dozen at a time and my friends loved them.”

POWELL WYOMING 34 // www.raisedinthewest.com

WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU HOEFLE

Before long, he began experimenting with larger batches and different recipes. His reputation as a donut business spread throughout school and around the community and Andy was able to use his business in the entrepreneurial and small business category of the Supervised Agricultural Experience as a project in FFA.

going as long as I can through college,” Andy said. “But I’m also looking forward to becoming a welder and maybe opening an HVAC business here in town.”

At about the same time, he found a handicap-access bus for sale for $1,000, and it seemed the perfect opportunity to make it into a food truck.

“It took some time,” Andy said, “not only to design what we needed, but to find the equipment that would fit.”

During his first year at the local county fair, Andy was so busy that he would sell out of donuts as soon as they came out of the fryer. In addition to his mom, he enlisted the help of his grandmother, sister and a cousin, all working in the same space to fill the orders.

“It was crazy,” he said. “As soon as people would start smelling them, they’d start lining up.”

Andy enjoys taking his truck to functions, but most of his business is special orders and his food truck serves as his kitchen. He then hand delivers the donut orders to his customers.

“Our go-to flavors are chocolate, vanilla and maple,” he said. “From there we add sprinkles and candies.”

He also offers specialty flavors such as his orange glazed doughnut that is topped with tiny shreds of orange citrus.

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“People love that one,” he said with a smile.

After all the 30 dozen donuts had been frosted, he and his mom boxed them up to be delivered into Powell for Nurses Appreciation Day. “We also do weddings,” he added. “We built a donut wall with pegs and shelves that can be set up at receptions for the guests. It’s been quite a hit.”

Still, though the business has been booming, and the summer calendar is filling up, Andy has plans to attend Northwest College in the fall, where he will work toward a welding certificate.

“I’m still going to keep the donut business

SUMMER 2021 // 35

Montana Gardening EXTENDING THE GROWING SEASON CAN BE DONE!

ACROSS MONTANA 36 // www.raisedinthewest.com

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY AMY GRISAK

By the time July rolls around, most gardeners are about done keeping up with the weeds, watering, and bringing in the harvest.

But if you really want to get the most from your garden, this is truly the perfect time to plant again. Often referred to as the “lazy gardener’s” time, planting for fall harvests is a way to make the most of our short growing season.

The beauty of planting a fall garden is that you can plant a second crop of your favorite spring vegetables with barely any pest pressure, since it’s out of sync with their lifecycles, along with not needing to weed or water nearly as much.

Varieties that thrive in cool temperatures and warm soil are lettuce, spinach, and other greens. Brassicas such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower that tend to turn bitter in the summer heat also do well in the fall. Seeded crops such as radishes, spinach and other greens, Swiss chard, carrots, beets, and sugar snap peas are also excellent choices. Kale will actually survive snow. Avoid heat loving plants such as tomatoes and peppers.

The greatest challenge in fall gardening is losing daylight. As the days shorten, so does the growing potential. The key to fall planting is penciling out the days to maturity, adding on a couple of weeks to make up for the lack of sunlight, then counting backward. Look for varieties that are going to be nearly fully grown before significant sunlight loss toward the first part of October.

On the practical front, this is how it works: After pulling spring crops, such as sugar snap peas, lettuce, or the first crop of green beans in the middle to the end of July, there is roughly two months, or 60 days, until the first frost. Plan to plant seeds that require 50 to 60 days to maturity. The first vegetables to plant are the ones that take the longest. For example, If I'm seeding something, this will mean I can grow a larger carrot variety, such as Autumn King, beets, or Swiss chard. Amazingly, both of the root vegetables can remain in the ground, until you are ready to dig them - even in the snow - and the Swiss chard is remarkably hardy. It's not

uncommon to brush off snow and continue harvesting for weeks.

Direct seeding works especially well with vegetables that don't require as long to mature. As the summer wanes, try planting lettuce, spinach, and radishes that are ready to eat within a month or so. This allows you to have fresh salads well into the fall. With a little protection spinach often continues to thrive until at least Thanksgiving.

For some gardeners, fall is the perfect time to grow cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli because they are not battling bugs.

Though a second planting of cabbage or broccoli can be a challenge because they require a growing season that is typically at least 85 days from when they are first seeded. But it can be done if you start the seeds in pots by the middle of June through the first part of July. Once you remove summer crops, replace them with the transplants, and watch them grow without worrying about any tiny white moths flitting around them.

The weather is unpredictable in this region, with periodic snowfall as early as August. But because the ground is warmed from the summer heat, even a cold snap or a dusting of snow isn't going to hurt these crops as long as they are properly covered.

Most gardeners grab a blanket to toss over the tomato plants for an emergency fix. For gardening during the autumn, be more proactive to prevent damage and allow the plants to continue to grow.

Planning for a late garden requires a shift in your thinking, but after you enjoy not battling bugs or weeds, and you harvest fresh vegetables for holiday meals, you won’t want to miss planting for the fall season.

SUMMER 2021 // 37

Tools TO EXTEND THE SEASON

FLOATING ROW COVERS Drape this lightweight cover directly over beds of spinach and other low growing crops, and either pin down the fabric, or weight it down with boards or rocks along the edges. The row cover cuts down on sunlight to some extent, but you can leave it on the plants day and night when the weather cools significantly.

INSULATED COLD FRAME In the most simple terms, this is a cold frame with insulated sides, such as rigid foam insulation sandwiched between plywood, that is buried in the ground at least 6 inches. The lid, which is best made of plexiglass for durability and safety, is like a regular cold frame, but you can throw a blanket over the top for extra protection on cold nights. Amazingly a single seventy five watt halogen bulb is typically enough to keep everything from freezing. Place the bulb so no water drips on it, use proper outdoor electrical extension cords and connections, and only plug in to a GFIC outlet.

38 // www.raisedinthewest.com

LOW TUNNELS These are often semi-permanent structures made of 1/2-inch PVC conduit supports or metal hoops. Low tunnels work particularly well with raised beds because it’s easy to add supports to hold the PVC that is bent over to create a space that is 24 to 30 inches tall and roughly 4-feet wide. Metal hoops are typically just bent over and pushed into the ground.

If you are planting directly in the ground and using PVC, consider pounding 1/2-inch rebar at least 12 inches into the soil, allowing approximately 10-inches above the ground.

Slip each end of the PVC over the rebar to hold it in place.

The other option is to drill 12inch deep holes and place the PVC directly into the ground.

While you can use floating row covers over the hoops, it is more effective to use a 6 mm greenhouse plastic because it is more durable.

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SUMMER 2021 // 39

ACROSS MONTANA 40 // www.raisedinthewest.com

WRITTEN BY CHARLIE DENISON // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU HOEFLE AND CONTRIBUTED BY GREG HARBAC

Cross m a rk e d by a

MONTANA’S HIGHWAY MEMORIALS

Labor Day 1952 was a particularly deadly holiday weekend, when six people lost their lives in traffic accidents near Missoula. Floyd Eaheart, of Montana American Legion Hellgate Post No. 27, wanted to do something about it, something to recognize these tragedies that would also help prevent more grief in the future.

The result is something Montana drivers see as they travel on state highways, city streets and side streets: cross-shaped fatality markers.

For the past 67 years, American Legion posts throughout the Treasure State have made it their mission to place these crosses where a life was lost.

“These crosses are a sobering reminder of a fatal traffic accident, a place where a human being lost his or her life,” said Greg Harbac, a Marine Corps veteran and fatality marker coordinator for Bozeman’s American Legion Post No. 14.

“

The white sermak serv as a public servic e,msag emindgr peol to ‘pleas drive .efulycar They ear a ywa to emindr sdrive in Monta to emainr ” viglant.

When the Montana American Legion GREG HARBAC White Cross Highway Fatality program started in July of 1953, its goal was to spread a message. According to the original press release for the project, the crosses “stimulate reverence, sorrow, sympathy, curiosity and caution … they affect us all to one degree or another.”

Montana is the only state to have such a program.

Harbac recalls some of these crosses having a direct effect on him when he was a child in Miles City. One night in particular often comes to mind.

“I still remember my dad telling my mom, ‘Careful — remember, this is Dead Man’s Curve,’” Harbac said, referring to a particularly

dangerous stretch of road west of Fallon.

“There were seven crosses on that curve … one for each traffic fatality.… It was jaw-dropping.”

To this day, Harbac’s jaw continues to drop when he sees the crosses on Montana roadways, and he’s not alone. Such a response to seeing the crosses, he added, is an intended effect, one that can perhaps make a difference, one that can perhaps save a life.

“The white markers serve as a public service message, reminding people to ‘please drive carefully,’” Harbac said.

“They are a way to remind drivers in Montana to remain vigilant.”

That’s why, for the past 10 years, Harbac has been highly involved with the Fatality Marker Program, serving as a volunteer for seven years before becoming the program coordinator.

Having a hand in installing and maintaining these fatality markers means a lot to Harbac. When he returned to Montana following his career in the Marine Corps, he wanted to do something to give back, to make a mark somehow.

When the opportunity arrived to get involved with the Fatality Marker Program, he didn’t hesitate. It’s a way to recognize the fallen and keep the public out of harm’s way.

Harbac is hands-on with the process. He is often the one putting up new markers in Gallatin County.

“I get the GPS coordinates from the Montana Highway Patrol to make sure we put the marker in the right spot,” he said.

SUMMER 2021 // 41

LEGION FATALITY TEAM MEMBERS GREG HARBAC AND DAVE HENLEY

GREG HARBAC, MARKER COORDINATOR

He also keeps this in mind when he repaints and replaces crosses, many of which are located off secondary roads.

“There’s been an alarming increase in drivingrelated fatalities on secondary roads,” he said.

For this reason, Harbac wants the crosses to be visible, but he doesn’t want them to create a distraction. It’s important for the cross to get the attention of the driver, but in a “subtle yet effective” way.

LAURA ALLEY, PA

RT OF THE FATALIT

Y MARKER TEAM

“This is a highway safety program, not a memorial,” Harbac said. “We encourage people to express themselves, but we respectfully ask that the fatality marker itself not be adorned as that reduces visibility and defeats the purpose of this safety program.”

When Harbac places a cross in the ground, he takes a moment.

Ultimately, the crosses function as a way to remember the lives of individuals no longer with us while also encouraging those on the road to avoid suffering the same fate.

“Each time I put a cross up, I reflect on the fact this was a real human being who lost their life,” he said.

“Every one of these markers represents someone’s mother, father, uncle, daughter, son or friend,” Harbac said. “If we can

42 // www.raisedinthewest.com

prevent even one fatality by someone pausing and maybe laying down their cell phone or not drinking to excess, then it’s been worth doing.”

Since the Fatality Marker Program’s inception nearly 70 years ago, Montana Legion members have put up more than 3,000 fatality markers, and the numbers continue to climb, in large part because there are more cars on the road. Many of these drivers, however, appear distracted.

“Look around and you’ll see a driver holding a cell phone in one hand, gesturing with the other hand using their knees to hold the steering wheel in place,” Harbac said. “There were 212 fatalities in 2020 alone, and at the rate we’re going this year, we could see significantly more. That’s why it’s important to remember driving is a privilege, not a right, and it’s not always just about us.”

This being the case, Harbac believes the Fatality Marker Program is perhaps more important than ever, and it’s getting more difficult to sustain. Help is needed.

“This program is in danger of becoming a thing of the past,” Harbac said. “The veterans who place and maintain the crosses continue to age, and there are no younger veterans stepping up to take it over. If you are a veteran and a member of the American Legion post or are willing to join one and would like to keep the program alive, contact your local post.”

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SUMMER 2021 // 43

SUMMER EVENTS LEWISTOWN

BIG TIMBER

July 4...................... Parade, Car Show and Concert in the Park

June 30 – Sept 1...... Weekly Pro Rodeo 7:00

June 26, July 3, July 17, July 23, Aug 7, Aug 13, Aug 28, Sept 12........ Charlie Russell Chew Choo

June 25, 26.............. NRA Rodeo & Sweet Grass Fest

July 23 – July 31...... Central Montana Fair

July 8 – 10............... Yellowstone River Boat Float: Second Night: Big Timber

July 28 & July 29..... PRCA Rodeo

July 17 – August 4... Farmers Market 4:30 – 7:00

July 30.................... Ned Ledoux Concert

July 26 – 30............. Sweet Grass County Fair

Aug 12 – 15.............. 36th Annual MT Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous

Aug 20..................... Brewfest

Aug 13 & 14............. MT Drag Racers Association State Points at Lewistown Raceway

RED LODGE

Sept 11.................... Chokecherry Festival

June 18 – Aug 10..... Red Lodge Farmers Market, Fridays 3:30 – 6:00 July 1...................... PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding Tour

MILES CITY

July 2-4................... Home of Champions Rodeo

June 25 – 26............ Cowtown BBQ Cook-Off and Rynopalooza

July 10.................... Beartooth Run

June 19................... Miles City Ranch Rodeo

June 30 – July 4....... CABA 14u Wood Bat World Series Baseball Tournament July 4...................... 4th of July Parade & Celebration Aug 25 – 28.............. Eastern MT Fair Sept 5...................... Hairball Rock Concert Sept 11.................... High Plains Classic Car Show Sept 17 – 19............. Miles City Bluegrass Festival 44 // www.raisedinthewest.com

July 9...................... HOG Beartooth Run July 15.................... Beartooth Rally & Iron Horse Rodeo July 26 - 29.............. Carbon County Fair Aug 21..................... Nitty Gritty Off Road Race

FISHTAIL

June 26................... Fishtail Family Fun Day

NYE

July 10....................Nye Goes Nuts

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRI

BUTED BY THE LEWIST

ANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLLEEN KILB

ABSAROKEE

June 18 – Aug 4....... Farmers Market Friday 3:30 – 6:00 June 12...................MT BBQ Cook-off June 19...................Stillwater Brew Fest June 25...................Nitro Nationals Hillclimb July 24....................Absarokee Days

COLUMBUS

June 26...................City Wide Garage Sale Day July 8 – 10............... River Boat Float: Last Night Columbus July 11 - 17..............Stillwater County Fair July 15 – Sept 2........... Farmers Market Thursdays 3:30 – 6:00

OWN CHAMBER OF COM

MERCE

BILLINGS

June 25.......................Summer Fair June 30.......................Foreigner Concert July 17 – Oct 2............. Yellowstone Valley Farmers

Market 8 - noon

Aug 6...........................Magic City Blues Aug 13 – 21..................Montana Fair

HUNTLEY

July 9 – July 10............Homesteader Days

LAUREL

July 4..........................4th of July Parade & Fireworks

REED POINT

Sept 5.......................... 33rd Annual Great Montana

Sheep Drive

a clothing mercantile since 1947

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406.932.5451 200 McLeod Street Gustsof BigTimber.com

SUMMER 2021 // 45

OUT

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★★★★★★★

ABOUT CRISS CROSSING THE REGION

Cyd and Jay Linderman with Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame

Joliet, MT, Memorial Weekend

Just Before a Storm, Wyoming Border

The remains of a school, Big Horn, MT

46 // www.raisedinthewest.com

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