REAL Montana Class VI Takes Part In Inaugural Seminar Sept. 19-21

Fairview resident Rob Breuer just returned from Bozeman as part of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership). For Breuer and other members of REAL Montana Class VI, this was the first of ten seminars in their two-year educational program.

Breuer said he was approached by his employer, AgWest Farm Credit Services, about applying for the class since others from the organization had done so and found it valuable. He agreed, with the goal of furthering his leadership skills and bringing them back to Eastern Montana to use in the community as well as in his career. He said the next seminar will be held in Billings where the class will focus on media training.

While in Bozeman, the class completed personality assessments, participated in a high ropes course, and received training on networking and building relationships. Class members participated in the first module in a series focused on fundamental competencies of growth mindset and professional etiquette with Scott Linklater. The class participated in an educational tour of Dry Hills Distillery focused on diversification and innovative ways to expand agriculture opportunities in an urban setting. Class members toured the Sales Ranch and Kimm Farms to discuss technology in agriculture and seed potato farming in the Gallatin Valley, and challenges and opportunities involving generational transfer of farms and farming practices. A seminar highlighted the program alumni at a networking banquet at the MSU Bobcat Stadium, where alumnus shared their experience and lessons learned during their tenure with REAL Montana. The banquet was attended by REAL Montana alumni, industry leaders, and program sponsors.

Twenty of Montana's emerging and established leaders were competitively selected from a pool of qualified candidates representing a wide variety of agriculture and natural resource industries across the state to take part in Class VI of REAL Montana. REAL Montana builds a network of informed and engaged leaders to advance the natural resource industries in Montana. The two-year program features eight in-state seminars; a five-day national study tour in Washington D.C .; and a ten-day international trip. Seminars include training in natural resource development, agriculture institutions and agencies, public speaking/media, economics, state and federal policy, international trade, urban/rural relationships, water issues, and other current industry topics.

REAL Montana is funded through a partnership with Montana State University Extension and private industry Oversight is provided by an advisory board of industry leaders.

Complete program information is available at http://www.montana.edu/realmontana or by contacting Jaime Edmundson or Tara Becken, program co-directors at [email protected].