A group of agents from the Mammoth Cave sub-district in Kentucky had been desiring to take a study tour in the Montana area for several years. The NACAA Scholarship Committee awarded our group $5,834 at the 2018 AM/PIC in Chattanooga. Because of their support, our group was able to achieve make the trip on July 22-26, 2019. It was a trip full of learning and memories that brought us all closer together.

On Day 1, our group flew into Bozeman, MT and were able to tour the Montana St. University Plant Growth Center with David Baumbauer. The short growing season, minimal insect and disease problems, demand for locally grown products, and delivery distance all combine for a unique situation. We learned about a variety of horticultural crops and how high tunnels are rotated for different crops based on growing season.

Day 2 was an opportunity to discover the beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Agents learned about various geological formations and environmental concerns with stops at Mammoth Hot Springs, Firehole Canyon Drive, Fountain Paint Pots, and Old Faithful. 

Tracy Mosley, ANR Agent in Livingston MT, had arranged a great day of ranch tours for Day 3. The first stop was Muddy Creek Ranch were we learned about direct marketing of beef and water rights. The second stop was Johnstone Ranch were we learned about forage production and the challenges with irrigation. That afternoon we traveled to southern Park County in the Paradise Valley area. There we visited Warfield Ranch and learned about the wildlife challenges ranchers face near Yellowstone, and the governmental regulations in the area.

Day 4 was an opportunity to explore the east side of Yellowstone National Park. In the Lamar Valley, agents were able to view an abundance of wildlife. The amazing beauty of Yellowstone was inspiring to each one of us. It gave each one of us a greater appreciation for our environment and the blessings we all enjoy. Day 5 was spent traveling home.

We were impressed by the adaptability of the ranchers we visited. They are able to produce beef and forages in a much harsher environment that we do.  It was very impressive to learn of their animal husbandry practices.  It was fascinating to see irrigated forage crops.  Water rights were a huge issue that we encountered on most of our stops on the trip.  While Kentucky is blessed with many streams and lakes, this could eventually be a limited resource with additional irrigation systems and a growing population.

 This trip will help strengthen local programming through information gained on these farms along with increased networking through teambuilding opportunities our travel presented. Our trip was highlighted in the June 2020 edition of The County Agent.