Montana Organic Association 2009 Conference
November 12-14, 2009
Holiday Inn, Great Falls, MT

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MOA Board Nominations




MONTANA ORGANIC ASSOCIATION 7TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE - SPEAKER BIOS


Roy Benjamin has been farming for five years. He grows a variety of cereals and legumes, and is certified organic. Roy has organic experience with irrigation, expired CRP, native sod breaking, and transitioning conventional land. He and his wife, Kaylee, are at home east of Shelby.

Kris Berg is with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Bozeman, MT.  She serves as a Program Specialist managing the agencies largest conservation cost-share assistance program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), within the state.  She has worked with the agency as a Soil Conservationist in Lewistown, Sheridan, and Glasgow; and a District Conservationist in Dillon and Missoula before taking on the Program Specialist position with the Bozeman State Office.

Micaela Colley is the Director of Research and Education, for Organic Seed Alliance. She manages participatory plant breeding, research and education projects with farmers, university researchers and other seed professionals. She is the chair of the biennial, national Organic Seed Growers Conference.

Jacob Cowgill was recently appointed by Senator Jon Tester as State Agriculture Liaison. He will serve as a point of contact for Montana farmers and ranchers, often traveling the state to visit with and hear from them on Tester’s behalf. Cowgill is originally from Sand Coulee, southeast of Great Falls.  He is a graduate of the University of Montana, where he earned a Master’s Degree in science with a focus on food and agriculture. Jacob and his wife Courtney raise wheat, lentils, vegetables and heritage turkeys on a farm near Conrad.

Doug Crabtree currently serves as organic certification program manager for the Montana Department of Agriculture. Crabtree and his wife, Anna, own and operate a diverse organic dryland crop farm north of Havre.  His affiliations include IOIA, the National Association of State Organic Programs (NASOP), the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) and the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society (NPSAS). Since joining the department in 2001, Crabtree has worked to develop and implement the certification program. He previously worked as an organic inspector, educator, researcher, farm manager, and farmer. Crabtree is a strong advocate for organic agriculture, which he sees as a viable social, economic and environmentally responsible system for producers and consumers.

Ron de Yong was appointed the Director of the Department of Agriculture in 2007. A member of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, de Yong serves as vice chair of the Rural Development and Financial Security Committee, which advises federal officials and Congress on farm program and policy issues. He also serves as the President of the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture from September 2009 through September 2010. de Yong owns and operates a 320-acre family farm near Kalispell that produces wheat, barley, peppermint, peas, lentils and alfalfa. For seven years prior to becoming director, he was a lecturer at Cal Poly State University, teaching agricultural policy and economics. de Yong earned a master's degree in economics at the University of Montana and undergraduate degrees from Montana State University in agricultural science and philosophy.  He has participated in national and international policy discussions as a Montana state committeeman for the USDA Farm Service Agency; state director, lobbyist and national economist for the National Farmers Union; and a member of Senator Max Baucus's delegation to the 1999 World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Seattle. In his capacity as director, de Yong serves on the Rail Service Competition Council, Noxious Weed Summit Advisory Committee, Montana Wheat & Barley Committee, Montana Agriculture Development Council and various other committees. He and his wife Dee have three children and three grandchildren.

Barry R. Flamm was one of the founders of MOA, served as Vice Chair and Board Member and is a Life Member. He served on the Governor’s Council to help develop the Montana’s DOA organic certification program and owned and operated the first certified organic sweet cherry orchard in Montana. Barry received a BS in forest management from Colorado A&M ( now CSU), MPA in public administration/ policy from the American U. and Ph.D. from George Mason U with research on the silvicultural effects on biodiversity in the George Washington National Forest. In 2008, he was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to a 5 year term on the National Organics Standard Board in an environmental position. Barry is chair of the NOSB Policy Development Committee and serves on the Executive, Crops and Compliance/ Accreditation/Certification Committees.

Sandra L. Hare is a nationally recognized trainer and professional speaker specializing in Communication, Emergency Management, Business, Education, and Leadership. As a Public Information Officer in Wildland Fire and DES, as well as a business leader, Sandra is highly experienced and can relate to all audiences. Through her presentations she has established herself as leader in communication, management, group dynamics and motivational training for over 15 years. Sandra has worked in both corporate and non-profit settings as well as with many volunteer organizations. Her warm and energetic style makes her presentations inviting, fun and educational. She believes laughter and chocolate are two of the most important ingredients to a life well-lived.

Pat Hatfield has been a professor at MSU since 1996. Prior to that, he worked at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho for eight years. Pat has a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, an M.S. from New Mexico State University, and a B.S. from MSU in Range Science.

Paul Reed Hepperly, research director, Rodale Institute, holds a doctorate in plant pathology, a master’s degree in agronomy and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Illinois. He has worked with farmers from regions around the world. He has extensive expertise in organic and conventional agriculture and has contributed to more than 150 publications on topics such as plant pathology, fungal diseases, plant disease resistance, disease management, epidemiology, diagnosis, fungal ecology, seed pathology, agronomy, horticulture, weed management, carbon sequestration and research program management. In September of 2007, Hepperly was honored as a recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award.

Randy Hinebauch and his wife Lisa operate an 11,000 acre wheat/green manure/fallow farm, one of the oldest certified organic operations in the state. They currently have 350 acres in CRP.

Jeffrey S. Jacobsen, Dean and Director, MSU’s College of Agriculture and Agricultural Experiment Station; Ph.D. 1985, Oklahoma State University; M.S. 1982, Colorado State University; B.S. 1979, California Polytechnic State University. Friend of Farm Bureau (2005, 2007). Fellow, Soil Science Society of America (2005). Fellow, American Society of Agronomy (2000).

Clain Jones is the Extension Soil Fertility Specialist for the state of Montana, and has been at MSU since 1993. His work on organic systems has included evaluating soil fertility changes following transition to organic in plot studies and at Bob Quinn’s. He has also helped lead a project determining methods to increase phosphorus availability on organic farms through a mix of green manures and certified organic fertilizers.

James E Knight is the Associate Director of Extension for Montana State University. Jim was Program Leader for Ag and Natural Resources at MSU from 1999 to 2002. Prior to beginning his current position, Jim served as Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist in the Animal and Range Sciences Department at MSU. Dr. Knight came to Montana State University from New Mexico State University in 1994 where he had served as Extension Wildlife Specialist for 13 years. He began his Extension career in 1981. Knight holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Michigan and a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management from Michigan State University. Some noted honors received by Knight include the Epsilon Sigma Phi State Distinguished Service Award, MSU Extension Leadership Award, New Mexico Distinguished Extension Award, Fabian Garcia Founders Award of Excellence, The Wildlife Society, Professional of the Year Award and the National Extension Natural Resources Award. Jim and his wife, Denise, reside in Livingston, Montana, and when not visiting their grandchildren, they take advantage of the hunting, fishing, horseback riding and many other recreational opportunities that Montana offers.

Chad Lee is the Business Development Officer at the Montana Department of Agriculture. Chad’s focal areas include business recruitment and assisting new and expanding agriculture-related businesses by gathering financial, regulatory, market information and helping individuals and businesses make connections. Chad has developed decision tools to assist farmers compare the potential economic returns of different crop rotations and compare the economics of organic farming with conventional farming. Chad’s past farming experience and ongoing dialogue with numerous farmers across Montana help ensure that his work is relevant and takes into account an understanding of Montana farmers’ thought processes.

Shawn Matteson is the Chapter administrator for the NCMT # 1 Chapter of OCIA. She has served in this position since 2003. She has also served at the International level of OCIA for 6 years on the Member Chapter Licensing Committee which oversees the licensing of all OCIA chapters, and has also served for 3 years on the Accreditation, Government Relations committee.  Shawn & her husband Greg farmed & ranched in the Peace River area of Northern BC before relocating their family to Montana where her husband was raised.  The Matteson’s family farm has been certified organic by OCIA since 1990 and will proudly celebrate it’s 100th homestead anniversary in 2010.
Shawn’s formal studies focused on Property & Contract Law, Real Estate, and Finances but she credits her knowledge of organics to the “day to day” immersion in the industry.

Bruce Maxwell is the interim department head for the Land Resource and Environmental Sciences Department in the College of Agriculture. His work includes agroecology and weed biology research on the design and development of nonchemical weed management strategies for annual and perennial weeds in cereals, row crops and forage cropping systems. His past and current research includes crop-weed competition, economic thresholds of weeds, weed population dynamics and identifying measures of ecosystem integrity.

Fabian Menalled is a Cropland Weed Specialist. His research and extension programs are focused in developing and delivering information on the integrated management of agricultural weeds. He is interested in understanding the mechanisms conditioning the abundance and distribution of annual and perennial weeds in agricultural systems. Current research includes weed population and community dynamics, crop-weed competition, herbicide resistance, and weed management in conventional and alternative cropping systems.

Perry Miller is a Professor in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University – conducting cropping systems research since 1998. His research focuses on systems-level water and nitrogen-use-efficiency in diversified wheat-based farming systems. Research emphases include no-till and organic cropping systems, pulse crop agronomy and ecology, winter broadleaf crops, crop energy budgets, and best management practices for greenhouse gas mitigation.

Charley Orchard, is founder of Land EKG Inc., a Bozeman-based agricultural training/consulting firm providing innovative grazing, monitoring and management techniques to land managers across North America. Land EKG Monitoring has become widely accepted as a core decision management system by progressive ranchers and many agency field specialists. Land EKG is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the field of innovative, user friendly, grazing workshops, land monitoring training and data storage techniques.

John Pulasky comes from an agricultural background that included memberships in 4 – H and FFA – augmented by a dedicated stewardship of Montana’s resources and way of life. He has working relationships with numerous county, state and federal agencies and associations – including serving as a Supervisor with the Yellowstone County Conservation District. For over 20 years he has taught Aviation Meteorology at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. John also serves as an Associate Director of Our Montana, Inc – a non-profit conservation organization. Through these associations he has developed and implemented a number of K-12 environmental education and outreach programs. He and his wife live on a farm east of Billings and in his spare time John produces and broadcasts five daily weather reports over a four state radio network.

Paul Rosen earned an MS in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana in 1996 and promptly began milking cows at Lifeline Dairy in Victor, MT.  The father of three fine boys, Paul teaches Sunday School at Congregation Har Shalom in Missoula and plays drums in a heavy metal band. He has been the Produce Manager at Missoula’s Good Food Store for 11 years.

Jim Sargent, Membership Director for the Montana Farmers Union. Since 2007, Jim has been working with the North Dakota Farmers Union on Carbon Sequestration and storage of Carbon Credits. Jim has promoted the program for the past two years throughout the state of Montana.

Jeff Schahczenski is an agricultural and natural resource economist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). His recent work includes publication of studies on the role of agriculture in climate change, biochar and soil carbon sequestration and the economics of biodiesel production in Montana. At NCAT, his work includes organic and sustainable agriculture marketing and economics, conservation policy, transgenics in agriculture, organic horticulture, cooperative development, sustainable building, intercultural communications and
beekeeping. He was past Executive Director of the Big Hole River Foundation and Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group. Jeff has worked with the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) on regional sustainable agriculture projects and has been adjunct instructor for University of Montana, Western Montana College, and Montana Tech. Jeff has built his own straw bale house and greenhouse. Before moving to Montana in 1991, Jeff worked for Rutgers University, started one of the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in New Jersey, received graduate degrees in agricultural economics and political science, served in the Peace Corps in Belize, Central America, and worked many summers on his grandfather’s dairy farm in Wisconsin.

Sam Schmidt is currently the Purchasing Manager for Montana Milling, Inc. He is also a MOA Board Member and the Chair of the Farm Tour Committee. Sam has a B.S in Grain and Milling Science from Kansas State University. He and his wife Roberta currently live in Great Falls.

Margaret Scoles is the Executive Director of the Independent Organic Inspectors Association. She has 18 years of experience inspecting organic crops, livestock, and processing facilities and has trained and apprenticed numerous inspectors. She and her husband have a cow/calf operation near Broadus.

Sedgie - Chef Sedgie (Davis) specializes in creative international dishes, has over 30 years of experience as a professional chef and is currently the Certified Executive Chef for the Holiday Inn in Great Falls.

Mary Stein earned an M.S. in Nutrition Science from Colorado State University and a B.S. in Biology from Tufts University. Since 1991, Mary has been with the Department of Health and Human Development at Montana State University as a Nutrition Education Specialist and Adjunct Instructor. Most recently, Mary’s work has focused on sustainable food systems work throughout Montana. She served on the steering committee for the 2007 Governor’s Summit on Food and Agriculture, from which the recently formed Montana Food System Council was created. Mary works on projects related to promoting Farm to School programming through her work with Montana Team Nutrition. She serves on the steering committee for the Grow Montana Coalition and on the boards of both Eat Right Montana and Gallatin Valley Farm to School. As Program Coordinator with the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems Program, Mary provides direct guidance to prospective and current SFBS students through advising, internship placement, and teaching. When not in her office in 175 HPE complex, you may find Mary enjoying the beautiful trails (running, hiking, skiing) in our valley or hanging with her family and friends relishing in delicious locally grown food.

Susan Tallman works as the field crops specialist for the National Center for Appropriate Technology. She has worked with Montana Flour and Grains on their Kamut® organic farmer recruitment program and as the grain buyer for the Great Harvest Bread Company franchise in Dillon. Susan grew up on a dryland wheat farm near Ingomar and graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York with a BS in Agronomy

Dave Turner of Thunder Plains Organics, has been certified organic since 1993. He started dabbling with farm certified organic in 1976. He joined the Montana North Central chapter in the fall of 1989 and was certified organic in 1993. Dave joined the certification committee in 1996 and became vice president/certification chairman in 1999. Dave took over the farm in 1987 and at his dad’s request put a portion of land into the CRP program in 1988 and 1989. By 1998, he decided totally organic was the only way to farm so that very dry fall, Dave started breaking CRP while his wife Dee combined the wheat fields.

Dee Turner was a 4-H leader for many years, a food buying coordinator, church treasurer, and is currently on the OCIA International Promotions and Internal Review Committees. Dee was the secretary of North Central Montana Chapter #1 and is currently on her fourth year as President. She is past Secretary of MOA and is currently serving as Vice Chair. Dee and her husband Dave became certified organic in 1993 and sold their first whole crop to an organic buyer in 1997 and have never looked back. The Turners raised five kids and currently live in Oilmont, MT. Their farm has been in the family for 100 years in 2010.

Jan Tusick has a background in agriculture, finance and capitalization, networking and marketing. She is presently the Program Manager of the Mission Mountain Market Cooperative Development Center and the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center. Jan has effectively facilitated cooperative groups and value added agricultural ventures in their business development and assisted with business and market planning, capitalization, and feasibility analysis. Jan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Agricultural Science, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Catherine Zabinski, Associate Professor at Montana State University, Ph.D. in Ecology, University of Minnesota, B.A, Biology, College of St. Benedict. Research and teaching is focused on restoration ecology, and plant and soil ecology. Specifically she studies plant-microbe interactions that affect plant community dynamics and plant growth on extreme sites, mycorrhizal ecology, and soil processes that contribute to ecosystem function. 

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