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CONTACT: State Coordinator  |  Stacey Barta  |  (406) 594-8481

VIDEOS

These videos are a collaborative effort between DNRC and NRCS with the purpose of bringing light to the importance of the people living and working on the rangeland in Montana -- stewards protecting the ecosystem while providing goods and services to support the economy. Produced by SOVRN.

King Ranch - Winnett

Chris King’s ancestors came to the Lewistown area in the 1880s and thrived. But the 1930s brought hard times; his grandfather moved to Winnett and “started over” during the depth of the Great Depression. The King Ranch today spans a checkerboard of private, state, and BLM lands, all managed with the same focus on conservation and sustainability. Chris and his wife, Gari, work with NGOs, state and federal agencies, and other partners to ensure that soil, water, and other resources are protected for present and future generations.

The Gran Prairie Ranch - Winnett

Nick and Marti Schultz’s Gran Prairie Ranch has been in the family for 110 years; today their three young boys are learning the ropes, gaining a sense of responsibility and purpose, as well as the notion that work can be enjoyable and rewarding. The ranch is part of a State Grazing District, a form of cooperation and partnership where neighbors share grazing opportunities. Montana is the last state in the West to have statutorily-authorized Grazing Districts. Nick and Marti also utilize many agency resources that help them sustain their land and the watershed.

Madison Valley - Ennis 

Rangelands are home to some of Montana’s best hunting and fishing resources. A case in point is a ranch near Ennis. The Madison River—a renowned blue-ribbon trout stream—runs through the heart of the ranch. Here, cattle and trout coexist. Ranch manager Bart Story says the ranch’s “high desert” climate creates challenges in growing hay, grain, and livestock, but presents opportunities too. One of those opportunities is the use of cattle grazing to improve the quality of the riparian areas while conserving and protecting water resources, both major goals of the ranch. 

Marks Family Ranch - Clancy

The 6,800-acre Marks Ranch in Clancy, Montana, has been owned by the Marks family since the 1890s. Thirty-eight year old Cody Marks handles the current day-to-day operations of the ranch and enjoys the lifestyle that ranching offers him and his family. Despite the challenges of mountainous, rocky terrain and wintering elk herds, ranching is a very rewarding profession for Cody. “Every day has given me a love for the life,” he says.“To be able to raise your kids up alongside you, to work with you, is invaluable."