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About Montana Agri-Women

  • Is a non-profit, non-partisan, public interest organization

  • Promotes education and communication for Montana women in all aspects of agriculture

  • Is a force for truth

  • Is a reasoned, non-partisan voice for the agricultural community to the public

  • Builds & strengthens alliances

  • Communicates & informs individuals & organizations to influence positive perceptions of agriculture

  • Works well in areas of legislation, regulations, consumer relations, promotion and education

  • Are consumers as well as producers and have a unique point of view to offer

 

Montana Agri-Women's Leadership

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President: Doreen Gillespie

Doreen's passion for agriculture has led her to a strong advocacy history. She has been an active member of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, Montana Stockgrowers Association, the Marias River Livestock Association, National CattleWomen, Montana CattleWomen and is a long time member of Montana Agri-Women.

Doreen was also active in Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) and served as the Montana WIFE president for two years; she represented Montana on the National Speaker’s Bureau, telling the beef story.

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 in the Kevin area where they raise beef and club calves.

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Vice President: Maggie Howley

Maggie grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, with milk and agriculture running through her veins. She has spent her life promoting agriculture and raising children. Maggie was a founding  member of Montana Agri-Women. Besides devoting her time to Agri-Women, Maggie has been involved in Pony Club on a national level. Maggie's passions include, gardening, traveling, grand-kids, and horses.

Secretary: Kellie Kittelmann

Kellie Kittleman was born and raised in Montana on a small farm that produced four great kids and a few chicken eggs.  Kellie became President of Montana Agri Women April of 2012.  She works at her families liquid feed company located in Billings and enjoys working with ranchers in the day to day life.  As well as lending a hand at Yost Events team ropings during the summertime.  Kellie lives north of Park City with her husband Kaine.  

 

Contact:  kellie@nutralix.com

Treasurer: Karen Yost

 

Karen Yost is past president of Montana Agri-Women and a past president of American Agri- Women. Karen has a passion for agriculture and the western way of life. She was born and raised in Montana, She and her husband, George, are owners of Nutra-lix, Inc. a liquid feed company based in Billings, MT. Check out this quick video of Karen expressing her passion for agriculture  https://youtu.be/GYkWekv9Ecg .

 

Contact:  karen@nutralix.com

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Past President: Meghan Foran

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Meghan has a history steeped in agriculture both in farming and ranching. As the daughter of a North Dakota farmer and stockman and Montana rancher and rodeo queen, she knows the value agriculture holds and is committed to growing its positive perception. She has lived in Montana much of her life and was active in 4-H for over 10 years. While attending North Dakota State University, she pursued an Agriculture Communications and Animal Science degree participating in Saddle and Sirloin Club, Livestock Judging Club, and Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow.

She has her own flock of Hampshire sheep and small herd of registered Shorthorn cattle with just a sprinkling of horses. After marrying a central Montana rancher, she embraced the Limousin breed that he loves so much. Under the supervision of their Border Collie, Roy, she and her husband Donald are building their own seedstock operation.

She currently works as the Marketing Director of Nutra-Lix, Inc. a beef supplement company based out of Billings, Montana. Before working in agri-business, she had a brief stint in the world of wine and spirits. It was there that she realized the great need to bridge the gap between producers and consumers. Her desire to find that common ground led her to Montana Agri-Women and American Agri-Women. The greatest value she finds with being a member of this diverse organization is that no matter the commodity or facet of agriculture she knows she is only one phone call away from an expert member that can answer her questions.

Membership Chair: Melody Dobson

Melody has many irons in the fire. She is very passionate about agriculture and promoting Montana's Farmers and Ranchers. Besides assuming the leadership role in Montana Agri-Women she is launching the www.americandoorstopproject.com. Comfortable in front of a podium or behind a microphone, Melody is enthusiastic about communications. But, her strengths shine in the arena of interpersonal communications. "My convictions are strong in this fast paced world of communications. “Relationships with Respect and Integrity” are baseline and fundamental. For over 30 years, I have kept that as my mantra. I believe it has served me well in developing collaborations that have a dedicated purpose and helped to move projects forward for the greater good. I love what I do and appreciate the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people on a daily basis. “ -Melody

 

Contact:  melodydobson@besnan,net

Montana Agri-Women's Committees

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Membership Committee:

Melody Dobson

Karen Yost

Tana Canen

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Fundraising Committee:

Karen Yost
Melody Dobson
Kellie Kittelmann

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Program Committee

Tana Canen
Maggie Howley
Karen Yost
Melody Dobson

 

Legislative Committee

Natalie Kerfott

Nichole Lake

Karen Yost

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Communication Committee

Carie Marshall-Moore

Courtney Kibblewhite

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Education Committee

Jodie Drange

Natalie Kerfoot

NIchole Lake

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