On the Ground in Big Sky Country

Posted by: Stefanie Pidgeon, Public Affairs Specialist, RMA

Last week RMA Administrator Martin Barbre traveled to Montana to visit with local area producers. Martin, who is a farmer himself from Illinois, wanted to hit the ground running when he joined USDA in April and he has done just that. During his brief visit, Martin met with farmers and ranchers and visited with them on their land. He also engaged with members of the Montana Grain Growers Association and the Big Horn County Sugar Beet Growers Association, listening to their needs and learning how FPAC programs are working for them.

RMA Administrator Martin Barbre (left) visits with Paul Steiber (far right) on his farm near Hardin, Montana, July 25, 2018.

One producer said: “I feel it’s really important that (Martin) gets to come out here on the farm so he gets a real hands-on feel for what is really happening out in the field.”

Martin spoke with these farmers and ranchers about the various crop insurance policies they have and the improvements they’d like to see. He looked at some of the equipment the farmers installed thanks to NRCS’s EQIP program. Martin learned how much support the producers get from their local USDA service centers.

“At the end of the day it’s the taxpayer’s dollar that helps producers mitigate production and revenue risks and helps maintain a durable rural economy,” Martin. “Our farmers have a stake in this. That’s why I went out there: to make sure we’re doing all we can at USDA to help them be successful.”

Martin’s trip to Montana is a great example of how FPAC agency leaders are getting out from behind their desks in Washington, D.C. and going out into rural communities to get a first-hand look at how our programs are working for our customers.

The producer concluded with: “Visits with people like Martin are very valuable.”

I agree.

Contact Information

For more information, contact RMA Public Affairs.