No, it not's playing a game of monopoly while chowing down! "Foodopoly" is the title of a brand new hardcover book by the Executive Director of Food & Water Watch, Wenonah Hauter. The subtitle of this tome from The New Press (www.the
Written by: Cassidy Brunner
In today’s economy building a family ranch and farm isn’t always the easiest and as some say it can’t be done because working with family just doesn’t work! I, Cassidy Brunner, have been working with my dad on the farm and ranch since growing up and wouldn’t change it for the world!
Written by Carrie Lerum
Submitted by Chris Browning, Louanne & Mike Wallewein
Adam Wallewein was born in White Russia sometime around 1884 in a predominately German settlement. His father died when Adam was around age 9 and his mother soon remarried. There were eight or nine children in the family and since it was, at that time, against the law for her children to leave that country with a stepfather, they were left with other families to be raised while his mother and stepfather came over to settle in Canada. Over the next few years, Adam lived and worked with numerous families and continued his education until the mandatory age of 16 at which time the government said their education was completed.
Submitted by: Beth Carlson
In the words of: Barb Broberg
Even though my husband’s ancestors homesteaded in the Havre area, both his and my roots were deep in Midwest ground. So, in some ways, it was a surprise for us to end up on the Highline.
Written by Linda Holden
The Family And The Land
Westwind Ranch was founded in 1967 by John and Linda Holden. The ranch is located eight miles west of Valier and offers a unique panoramic view of both the Rocky Mountain Front and the vast rolling plains of north central Montana. John and Linda’s four children, Laura, Jack, David, and Janelle, grew up on Westwind Ranch. They are all married now, and the five grandchildren, Blake, Bryce, Hannah, Brooke, and Bradley, enjoy being frequent visitors at Westwind Ranch. Laura and Mick live near Calgary where she works as a financial banker. Jack and Tresha run Holden Hereford Ranch just a few miles from Westwind Ranch. Holden Herefords was established by John's parents, Les and Ethel Holden, pioneers in performance testing with their registered Horned Hereford cattle. David and Paula work and live near Red Bluff, California. Janelle and her husband Doug live and work in the Bozeman/Livingston area. The Dream Of Excellence Becomes A Reality
In 1953, while in high school, John purchased his first registered cow from his Uncle Jack who started Cooper Herefords. This purchase began John's ambition to raise top quality, fast growing, trouble-free seed stock. John attended Montana State College at Bozeman and received a degree in Animal Science in 1962. He and Linda were married while he was completing his Masters Degree in Agronomy. After serving as an officer in the army, John and Linda returned to Montana where they purchased the land they would call "Westwind".
Over the years Westwind has been home to a variety of animals including the trusty cow dogs, registered Polled Herefords, Mammoth Donkeys, Quarter Horses, Montadale Sheep, Duroc Hogs, Guinea Hens, and even a lost Yak. Wildlife such as deer, coyotes, gophers, raccoons, rabbits, skunks and foxes continue to roam Westwind Ranch.
Westwind Polled Herefords were started in 1965. From 1965-1985 one of our bulls sired a national champion Heifer and had several bulls in major A.I. stud services. We have sold cattle into 36 states, Chile, and Canada. In 1985 we dispersed the Polled Hereford herd.
In 1971, the Holden's established Westwind Angus. By the use of proven genetics they established themselves with high reputability selling to progressive cowmen everywhere. Constantly tracking of the Westwind line for select genetic traits has allowed the ranch to produce superior seed stock. This constant quest for excellence is reflected in the outstanding EPD values, consistency and uniformity of the herd. We continued in the registered angus business until April 2002. The angus herd was sold intact to the Harts of Frederick, South Dakota.
The opportunity for the expansion of the Hereford breed looked good, so we expanded into the Polled Hereford business in May of 2002. To quote John, “Herefords are my first love in the cattle business and their disposition is compatible with my age and abilities. Registered cattle are not a business, they are a disease. My banker says maybe disability would be a better description. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what we can do since breeding good cattle takes many years.”
See Picture in Gallery of:
The steer that started it all.
John showing the Reserve Grand Champion 4-H steer.
This Hereford steer was raised as a 4-H project in 1951and sold for 52 cents per pound.
John purchased a registered Hereford heifer with the money which started him on his way in the registered cattle business.
Lisa Schmidt and Steve Hutton raise natural, grass-fed beef and lamb at the Graham Ranch near Conrad.
They have two children; Will, 12, and Abby, 4.
She can be reached at alandofgrass@3riversdbs.net or visit www.a-land-of-grass-ranch.com
Written by Marigail Sveum
Written by Gordon Smedsrud
Tiber Farming Co.
Ole Smedsrud immigrated from Norway to Montana in 1914. In 1916 he came to Conrad Montana and met with his friend Norman Solid; the land agent for Mont5ana homesteaders.
Fauque Family
Joseph Fauque started farming part time while working as a pumper in the Kevin Sunburst oil field in 1941. Joe and his wife Mildred turned a part-time farm into a full-time farm after acquiring more land. Joe and Mildred had three children. Larry, a science teacher at North Toole County High School, is now retired and living in Great Falls with his wife Maria. A daughter, DaRae, is currently the manager at Ben Taylor Bulk in Sunburst. Their youngest son Randy took over the farm in 1970 when Joe died following a short fight with pancreatic cancer. I am Randy and will share a short history of our family farm.
The Pondera County Conservation District "Celebration Breakfast" is set for tomorrow morning, Sunday down in Conrad. The Celebration Breakfast kicks off tomorrow morning at 11 & continues with the good food & conversation until 12:30 Sunday afternoon. Presen
This morning (Wednesday), I received the monthly precipitation report for all of 2012 from the Knees & I found it most interesting looking back over the past year. LAST January .22 was recorded, only .10