Because sometimes winter on the farm can get long. And, because we can.    

As I contemplate the coming snow storm that is breathing down Montana’s neck, threatening to dump yet another foot of snow on the ground and bring us sub zero temperatures for four days in a row, I am reminded of a series of events in 2010 that culminated with me falling asleep in front of the wood stove on Christmas Eve at 3:00 a.m. fully dressed in my Carhart bibs with four dogs curled around me and six baby goats in a cardboard box. Perfecto, the goat buck…

Take 12 minutes out of your day and watch one of the most compelling short films I have ever seen. Directed by Carly Calhoun and Sam Despeaux.    

Raising livestock and having a full time job is complicated. Goat kids come when they come. They don’t check with you first to see if you’re busy. The first kids of the year were born this last weekend and it reminded me of one very poignant example of how sometimes raising livestock and having a day job can be….complicated. One of our does went into labor on a week day. I had to be conference call with our staff in D.C. to discuss H.R. 2454, aka the American…

I was sidetracked this weekend by the Library of Congress archival photo collection.  While looking for historic photos of the Tongue River valley I found these spectacular photographs of Montana ranchers counting sheep back in 1939. Evidence that yes, at one time, Rosebud County ranchers raised sheep. I LOVE THEM. Sometimes, you see something so perfect you have to just sit back and appreciate it for awhile. (All photos by Arthur Rothstein, 1915-1985)  

[Untitled photo, possibly related to: Beer parlor, Birney, Montana][1939 June] Arthur Rothstein [Untitled photo, possibly related to: Dudes learning how to throw a rope, “roping” during a ranch rodeo contest. Brewster Arnold Quarter Circle U Ranch, Birney, Montana] August 1941 Marion Post Wolcott Dude girl with two cowboys at a Saturday night dance in Birney, Montana 1941 Aug.  Marion Post Wolcott Dude returning from a morning ride. Quarter Circle U Ranch, Birney, Montana August 1941 Marion Post Wolcott Dudes in the corral at Quarter Circle U Ranch. Birney,…

Today, blasting at the Rosebud Coal mine owned by Western Energy Company created clouds of hazardous gases which is a common occurrence in coal strip mining. The actual meteorological conditions at the time of firing the blast will have a significant impact on the fume plume and its local effect, including low cloud cover and inversions. The orange color indicates a high concentration of nitrogen oxides, including nitrogen dioxide. When inhaled, nitrogen dioxide becomes nitric acid as it encounters moisture in the lungs. Exposure to the gas can cause…

Imagine.  Today you receive a manila envelope in the mail. It has an aerial map of your house. The map shows an orange railroad track right going directly through your driveway. A letter is included with the map. It says you have to allow the railroad company, owned by Arch Coal and BNSF, on to your land so it can conduct engineering and environmental surveys. It also threatens you with eminent domain. What would you do?  I’m pretty sure you’d fight like hell.  ************* On April 18, 2013,…

Oh, the lies and the lying liars that tell them. On Friday, Ryan Zinke, candidate for the Montana House seat being vacated by Steve Daines posted this to his Facebook page. Mr. President, Montanans have waited long enough for jobs as a result of building the Keystone XL Pipeline. Let’s start to accelerate our economy, end our reliance on foreign oil, and promote energy independence now! Most Montana statewide politicians have voiced support for the Keystone XL pipeline (except Democrat Dirk Adams) but I’m going to pick on…