When people hear the brand name “Montana Silversmiths,” the first thing that typically comes to mind is belt buckles. That’s not surprising since the company manufactures and ships thousands of buckles across the country each year. What may be surprising, though, is the time and effort behind the creation of every single buckle and piece of jewelry.   

“If life can remove someone you never dreamt of losing, it can replace them with someone you never dreamt of having.”

The quote perfectly describes the relationship between Robert Mitchell and Gail Cushman whose paths would have never crossed had either of them failed to consciously decide to “get on with their lives.”

People think we’re nuts. To the uninitiated, sitting on a five-gallon bucket on a frozen lake in the bitter cold, looking down a hole for hours couldn't possibly be a good time. And they have a point. But sitting on a bucket in a tent warmed by our trusty propane heater while enjoying cocoa and snacks and reeling in a limit of Kokanee salmon, or perch for that matter, is a different scenario.

Engraved on a black marble monolith in the basement of the Red Lodge Historical Museum are 74 names of deceased men bonded in a companionship of tragedy on a single day in February 1943. Listed are individuals, ages 19 to 72, from far corners of the globe who all found themselves together in the subterranean passages miles beneath the rolling foothills of Bearcreek, Montana.

The newly built, producer-owned Montana Premium Processing Cooperative (MPPC) in Havre, Montana has been garnering much attention. Opened in late January, the Cooperative aims to bolster businesses in local communities and allow ranchers alternative marketing opportunities. It was founded to encourage raising, processing, and buying food locally. 

On a frigid morning in January, Melissa Oswald greeted an Alaskan couple in her rural meat shop. A recommendation from satisfied customers prompted the travelers to stop by to fill their cooler with Oswald beef before their trek back home. Melissa happily obliged, answering questions, and making suggestions. A half hour later, 50 pounds of steaks, roasts, and burger had been carefully packed for shipping.

Above the darkened, century-old dance floor in Cassie’s Steakhouse sings a country duo in pleasing harmony. Several rows of dinner guests eating steak listen in, relishing the atmosphere of history and authenticity Cody, Wyoming provides. Levi Klemm, a mustache under a cowboy hat, plays guitar, sharing baritone notes. Beside him, his big sister, Jess, accompanies with a crystalline voice.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

Cozy up this winter with some classic comfort food!

New technology has created the opportunity to grow a winter crop of herbs and vegetables without much fuss.

“We take great pride in our people,” Lance Neirby, newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Montana Silversmiths, said of their employees.

The Montana Department of Agriculture recently introduced a campaign to bring awareness to the struggles of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts and provide direction toward professional counseling for those in need. “Beyond the Weather” is a grant funded program which seeks to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourages seeking assistance with stress management. 

Substance abuse, especially involving drugs, is becoming more prevalent across the country, including in small towns and rural areas, and when combined with mental health issues, it’s taking a toll on folks. 

To better educate consumers, the ambitious teenager launched Kate’s Ag - Farm to Fashion to highlight her family’s farming efforts and show the many hands and steps required to deliver clothing to doorsteps.

Andrea Beer took a deep breath as she began her story about her son, Jonn. One year ago, Jonn’s life was tragically shortened due to fentanyl poisoning. 

Steak, salt, and pepper were the only ingredients used in the 3rd Annual “Best in Wyoming” and “Best in the West” meat producers’ competitions held in Riverton, Wyoming in September. 

Even with positive stories such as Kate’s and Clay’s, we felt compelled to cover an epidemic that is growing in unprecedented numbers across rural Montana and Wyoming. An alarming increase in both suicides and accidental overdoses from substance abuse indicates that there has never been a harder time to be a farmer or rancher. Many are dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, pain, loneliness and sadly, suicidal thoughts.

After a decade of planning, the time had finally arrived to begin the remodel and expansion of Billings Logan International Airport Terminal, then COVID-19 hit. Kevin Ploehn, Director of Aviation and Transit and head of the remodeling project, was unsure how to proceed.

On just five acres on the Bear Springs Bench in Fergus County, located between Winfred and Denton, Clay is an anomaly. In a landscape where wheat, barley, and alfalfa are the dominant crops, he is instead growing hops for his company, Triple XXX Hops.