Montana Agri-Women Installs New Officers at Annual Meeting

Montana Agri-Women (MAW) hosted their annual business meeting and election of officers at the Huntley Project Irrigation Museum in Huntley, Mont. February 11-12, 2022. The meeting was preceded with a “Meet & Greet” reception Friday evening attended by industry leaders and Legislative Representatives. The Saturday agenda offered a variety of speakers, a tour of the Huntley Project Irrigation Museum, and the presentation of the prestigious “Keeper of the Tenth” award to the United Property Owners of Montana for their work in defending the 10^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – States’ Rights.

Members elected Doreen Gillespie, Ethridge, Montana as President and Maggie Howley, Custer, Montana as Vice President.

Doreen’s passion for agriculture has led her to a strong advocacy and public speaking history within the many agriculture organizations she has been a part of. A long-time member of Montana Agri-Women, Doreen is a brand inspector and currently serves as the chair of the Montana Livestock Loss Board. The wife of Montana state Senator, Butch Gillespie, she and Butch ranch 60 miles east of Glacier National Park where they raise beef and club calves.

Maggie Howley of Custer, Montana is a long-time member of Montana Agri-Women and has served on the executive committee in previous years. Before her tenure with the organization, she cultivated a deep passion for Agriculture. She grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest before she and her family found their way to Montana by way of Texas. She is active in equestrian organizations as well as other youth focused agriculture projects.  She was indispensable in the curation of Montana Agri-Women’s Ag Sprouts educational barn during the Montana Fair. She also serves on the American Agri-Women Foundation Board.

Speakers for the annual meeting included Jodie Drange, owner of Drange Apiary, who expounded on sharing individual agricultural stories with urban areas and her focus with the Montana Farm Bureau and their work with Ag in the Classroom. The meeting also featured. Dr. Kendra Joyce, founder of Cutting Fences, LLC, and her work with disabilities among Montana agriculturalists. Representative Kerri Seekins-Crowe provided a Montana legislative update and insights into how to effectively communicate with policymakers. Author Melody Dobson and current American Agri-Women President, Heather Hampton+Knodle, rounded out the program with regional and national perspectives.

Montana Agri-Women is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public interest organization that promotes education and communication for Montana women in agriculture. Their membership encompasses all commodities and urbanites as well which allows them to have a unique perspective to offer. They work well in the areas of legislation, regulations, consumer relations, promotion, and education. Their encompassing mission is to promote a positive perception of agriculture. For more information, visit www.mtagriwomen.com.

American Agri-Women (AAW) promotes the welfare of our national security through a safe and reliable food, fiber and energy supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers, advocate for agriculture, and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org. Find AAW on social media  at: Facebook.com/AgriWomen, Twitter.com/Women4Ag and Instagram.com/americanagriwomen/ #standupspeakout4ag