REAL Montana Class VI gains media and communication skills in Billings November 7-9

Press release

Gildford resident Alice Miller just returned from Billings as part of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership). For Miller and other members of REAL Montana Class VI, this was the second of 10 seminars in their two-year educational program.

The seminar, with a focus on media and communications, provided participants with intensive training. They began with personalized coaching on effective media interview techniques from local news anchors and media experts. To apply these skills, they conducted 15 live television and radio interviews across Billings. The program included behind-the-scenes experiences at KTVQ-2 news and the Voices of Montana radio show. Other training areas included print journalism, social media, AI, and the future of media.

A panel discussion featuring experts from Par Pacific, the CHS Laurel Refinery, NorthWestern Energy, and MSU Extension shed light on effective crisis communication strategies.

The Montana Beef Council hosted a networking event that brought together program alumni, sponsors, and industry leaders. To enhance teamwork and problem-solving skills, participants engaged in a team-building painting exercise facilitated by Canvas Creek Teambuilding. The seminar concluded with a leadership training session focused on emotional intelligence and active listening.

"I gained an even more clear understanding of the importance for members of the ag community to share our stories and experiences with others. Not only are we welcoming them to learn more about our industry, but we are inviting curiosity and building understanding," said Miller, who in addition to farming and ranching at Deep Roots Partnership and Miller Simmental, is also employed by Montana Farmers Union.

"I look forward to investing what others are investing in me and members of Class VI back into agriculture and my community," she added.

Twenty 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 VI 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 ten-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.montana.edu/realmontana or by contacting Jaime Edmundson or Tara Becken, program co-directors at [email protected].