Salute to the Farmers and Ranchers

While facing all odds, and usually racing against all odds, farming and ranching continues to survive in rural Montana. It is what keeps America going. As it has been said, Americans need a doctor, a lawyer and a dentist every day but we need the farmer and rancher three times a day.

This week across the country, Ag Day will be celebrated as an annual event, honoring and recognizing those who put the meal on the table before us. As the backbone for a nation that relies heavily on, for the day-to-day operations across the country, the world involving farming and ranching is no stranger to most county residents. Ag Day will be celebrated in Malta at the Event Center on Friday, March 24th.

Four families were contacted about their link and livelihood to the farming and ranching industry. The families represent the North (George and Berta Anderson), East (Tim and Vivian Bruckner), West (Dean and Carol Kienenberger), and the South (Darrell and Vicki Olson). Their responses are provided here.

For the North segment a very grateful ranch wife, Berta Anderson, was surveying all her kingdom across pastures with an abundance of snow resulting in green grass…knowing that will make for a nice runoff to fill depleted reservoirs, dams and creeks.

The frustration of the Anderson’s is obviously like 100% of the farmers and ranchers in the county is the drought situation. Second on her list would be being at the mercy of whoever controls market prices for cattle and crops. They like others who kick the same cow pie face the challenge of being on the short end when prices continue to increase for production and the market prices do not reflect the costs incurred.

In all reality, the small farms and ranches are just about a thing of the past. What our ancestors fought so hard for, is quickly fading into the dust devils passing through.

Berta said her frustrations come when a cloud rolls in and one can smell the fresh rain and only a few drops are scattered across their prairie.

Anderson’s enjoy the solitude, along with the birth of new baby calves, colts, kittens and dragging out the garden seed…she still has optimism to enjoy! When harvest rolls around and the machines get to the crops before the Big White Machine does, then life is pretty close to perfect. Add a grandkid or two and this is home. Life can be described as interesting and challenging, and that makes the Anderson’s grateful.

The East contributors are Tim and Vivian Bruckner. Their family is also one of those that homesteaded in this part of the country, back for four generations. Tim was pretty well anchored here and brought Vivian back from the south to make their life together. They enjoy being their own boss, in addition to raising their own food while providing a great place to raise a family.

Struggles make one stronger, and there are those – they come in the manner of unpredictable government regulations, hindered by low prices, high expenses and the unknowing. Tim believes in a strong faith of taking things as they come, one day at a time, and making the best of things. They wouldn’t trade their livelihood for anything else.

Tim said, “(people) are to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift from God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life because God keeps them occupied with the gladness of heart,” Ecc. 5:19b-20.

Dean and Carol, the West contributors, are for lack of a better term, the “elderly” or “seasoned” couple of the four, the family has been active in the business with the beginning dating back to Dean’s dad, Walt in 1914. Walt, like many early settler’s, came to the country, maybe with a few sheckles in his pocket, with the dream to provide for his family on dryland acreage. This country is not always kind, nor is it productive or friendly. Many families came with dreams that were grandeur and sometimes snuffed out quickly with one of Montana’s famous fierce winters. Many returned to their origination following a couple dry years and grit from the wind that would sting a soul and only the tough stuck it out.

Dean and Carol have a daughter, Kari that is a partner in the ranch and owns a place of her own as well.

One of the benefits of ranching and farming together is the closeness and bond that is always a plus; one gets a lot of fresh air and sunshine and working with family (* though some families do now view that as a plus!).

Being at the mercy of Mother Nature, the wind and elements, the Kienenberger’s know that with the grace of God and good neighbors, they can get through most anything.

Facing nature is one element for survival, others include opposition in the political arena and from those that do not support their way of life and view on matters. They have weathered many a storm and are in it for the long haul.

Dean’s outlook on life can be summed up as, “tighten your cinch and take a deep breath.” He seldom regrets the decision to leave his footprints in the sands of time…well, maybe… “…when mosquitos are so thick and you have a shovel in one hand and an irrigation tarp in the other!”

On the South side of the county Darrell and Vicki Olson are committed to a lifetime of making decisions based on hay supply, Mother Nature and the weather forecast. Now the fourth generation at the helm of the operation, both their children, Molly Rotenberger and Jason Olson, are involved in ranching as well.

The Olson’s are in the business because they love what they are doing, and when you enjoy your “work” it makes life easier and not “work”. The biggest challenges they encounter are high operating costs and low commodity prices. This has been a concern for generations. It is increasingly difficult in today’s world. Like other young ranchers, they pray daily for the end of the drought as did their ancestors. Today’s younger couples have it harder from the get-go, trying to get established when many of the odds are against you.

The one view the Olson’s have is commitment to the work at hand…their livelihood comes first and foremost and they have their nose to the grindstone when needed and enjoy what life has to offer when the work is done.

Into the commitment and union for 50+ years, they are pleased and content with life – and are strong believers that, “This is where God put us”. Life is easier than what their grandparents faced, they look forward to what lies ahead of them.

Indeed, we live in an ever-changing time, none of the four families in this salute to Ag Day would change their lives for anything. We’re all made of quality genes that make us resilient to failure and this is what good men and women (and kids) are made of. We know where the dinner on the table comes from – our hands have helped reap, sow and harvest it or raised it. America, take a moment to thank a farmer or rancher today.