Miller takes part of REAL Montana inaugural seminar

Gildford resident Justin Miller just returned from Bozeman as part of Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership — REAL — Montana. For Miller and other members of REAL Montana Class IV, this was the first of 10 seminars in their two-year educational program.

"REAL Montana's class IV is a diverse group from all over the state," Miller said. "I look forward to learning about and promoting Montana's natural resources during the next two years. I am especially excited about traveling abroad to promote what our great state has to offer. Through the REAL Montana experience I hope to become a better leader in my community and in the agricultural industry."

For the class, 20 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 IV of REAL Montana.

While in Bozeman Sept. 12-14, the class completed personality assessments, participated in a high ropes course, and received training on networking and building relationships, persuasive speaking and open-minded leadership.

Educational panels focused on the growing economy of the Gallatin Valley and speakers included representatives of Advanced Electronic Designs, Zoot Enterprises, Lone Mountain Land Company, Dry Hills Distillery, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the Gallatin County Commission and the Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators. Class members toured Gallatin Valley Botanical Farm and visited Montana Ale Works for insight into local food sourcing.

A seminar highlight was a leadership address by Jeff Kaufman, CEO and Founder of the Full Circle Foundation at a networking banquet at the Montana State University Bobcat Stadium. The banquet was attended by REAL Montana alumni, industry leaders and program sponsors.

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 10-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 MSU Extension and private industry. Oversight is provided by an advisory board of industry leaders.

Complete program information is available at http://www.realmontana.org or by contacting Tara Becken, program director, at 406-994-6480, [email protected].