Kuhr takes part in REAL Montana Class V inaugural seminar

Press release

Havre resident Katie Kuhr just returned from Bozeman as part of REAL - Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership - Montana.

For Kuhr and other members of REAL Montana Class V, this was the first of 10 seminars in their two-year educational program.

"REAL Montana is a great opportunity to network with leaders in the agriculture and natural resource industries in Montana and to become more informed of the challenges each industry faces," Kuhr said. "I look forward to bringing this knowledge back to my community."

While in Bozeman this month, 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 attributes of personal and organizational leadership with Ara Megerdichian.

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 B-3 Farms to discuss the changing face of farming in the Gallatin Valley, and challenges and opportunities involving generational transfer of farms and farming practices. A networking banquet was held at Montana State University Bobcat Stadium, where alums shared their experience and lessons learned during their tenure with REAL Montana. The banquet was attended by REAL Montana alums, industry leaders, and program sponsors.

The class has 20 of Montana's emerging and established leaders who 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 V 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 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 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.realmontana.org or by contacting Tara Becken, program director, at 406-930-4205, [email protected].