Minutes of Montana Association of County Agricultural Agents
MACAA Spring Meeting
MACAA Spring Meeting Minutes
April 30th 2024 5PM
Double Tree by Hilton, Billings, MT
Called to order at 4:56 PM
Attending: Kim Woodring, Tandi Kessner, Christina Murphy, Dan Severson, Gabby Sexton, Teo Sinks, Inga Hawbaker, Taylor Mullen, Kari Lewis, Patrick Mangan, Shelley Mills, Cody Ream, Larry Brence, Amber Elliott, Sarah Holden, Wendy Carr, John Hawley, Anthony Sammartano, Elizabeth D’Imperio, Dan Lucas, Joel Schumacher, Jesse Fulbright, Juli Snedigar, Kimberly Richardson, John Bazemore, Ben Hauptman, Amanda Williams, Lee Schmelzer, Mat Walter, Colleen Pegar, Francisco Gamboa, Rose Malisani, Megan Van Emon, Kaleena Miller, Makayla Paul, Marley Voll
Introduction of Guests: Scott Jensen coming this week.
Minutes from Fall Meeting – Shelley Mills suggested a few changes. Rose Malisani made a motion to accept the minutes and Colleen Seconded.
Treasurer’s Report - March bank statement $76,377.35. CD was transferred into the account on 11/23 worth $6,181.62. We have 48 members in MACAA dues paid were $6,000.
Committee Reports – Kari Lewis reported Brett is looking for ideas for workshops for 4-H congress, because they can’t bus kids around anymore. They need help with hippology, as well. They are altering the congress schedule in 2025 to do communication on one day and livestock judging on the other day.
Rose gave a report on the swine virus that popped up around January. Our fairs should be safe for this year.
MSU Extension Livestock Specialist position will be open.
Marley Voll congratulated Mat Walter for winning Achievement Award and Megan Van Emon for winning the DSA Award
Patrick Mangan, Western SARE Committee, reported that funding is available still. There is funding to send 406 Grazing academy this is a good way to get money to go to professional development conferences.
Rose reported on Carcass and Ultrasound Training in Big Timber yesterday 4/29 – Thanks to Megan Van Emon, Dave Brink, Brent Roeder, and Marc King for teaching and the RDHs for their support.
Cody Ream, Professional Excellence Committee, reported Wendy and Shelley will present their poster at nationals.
Old Business:
Quarter Horse Book Update – Kari’s computer crashed so she will try to get some of them together.
2025 NACAA AMPIC in Billings committee work and updates continued – Shelley gave an update on the Budget and income that we have. We received $1,000 as a start up from NACAA. Oregon sent $5,000. Utah sent $30,000 from when they hosted in 2016. The proceeds from JCEP proceeds were $3,944. We will also be receiving the proceeds from JCEP this fall, so bring something cool. We had an anonymous pledge of $1,000. The DA Davidson account from MACAA of $4,158 and the CD Cashed from MACAA $6,181.62. Pledge from 4-H Association was $3,000. The pledge from the FCS Association was $2,000. Shelley pledged $1,000. Community Vitality association is willing to donate something unsure of the total yet. We received $1,000 from the Bank of Baker. Thank you to Amanda for reaching out to them. Idaho Ag Agents gave $5,000. Gerald and Sharon marks $2,000 and pledged another $2,000 next year, MT Berry Growers $500. Total so far $67,283.62. Shelley will send out an invoice to FCS. The State associations offered money to us we haven’t made any direct asks. We will be sending out sponsorship invitations to other associations. We may skip asking Colorado because they are hosting in 2026.
Quarter Horse Award Committee Report – Ben Hauptman – Review QH – What is the QH History? We formed a committee to update the Quarter Horse award. The committee members are Shelley Mills, Ben Hauptman, Marley Voll, Amanda Williams, Mike Schult and Jesse Fulbright. Not doing nominations tonight, will be at BBQ tomorrow. Ben read the story of the Ancient and Abnormal Order of the Buffalo from 1922. Montana State University expressed scrutiny of the Order, as a form of hazing. The last class was in 2019. The committee is working on how it can continue and add members. Shelley read the story of the Quarter Horse History. It was started in 1950 and known as The Quarter Horse Award. It is supposed to celebrate the mistakes we have made, and we will make mistakes in our careers. Shelley Mills told Bobby Roos’ Quarter Horse story. It is an honor, not intended to be hurtful. Ask the nominee if they are willing to be nominated. Once you win the award, you cannot win it again, unless you leave Extension and start again. The nominations must be fresh stories. The deciding committee is made up of previous winners and they will decide who the winner is. They will allow a rebuttal from the nominee within reason.
New member committee position update – Makayla Paul and Shelley Mills will help explain MACAA to the new ag agents.
New Business:
2024 AMPIC (Patrick) – Traveling to Dallas, TX to participate in 2024 AMPIC in July, registration is still open. Thank you RDHs and Western SARE for support funds.
Joel Schumacher – Ag Hort NR Program Update - none
Sire/Dam Report – Uta McKelvy had a baby
Retired/Deceased Agents – Gerry Marks Retired after 50 + years. Automatically added to Lifetime Members, Mary Rumpf will be added to Lifetime members.
ELC – Extension Leadership Conference – Tampa, Florida –Wendy Becker reported that the ELC is every two years, anyone can go. The conference is geared towards being better leaders. Wendy and Shelley went to a few evaluation sessions. All Associations welcome.
Adjournment – Rose made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Amanda seconded 5:40 PM
Respectfully Submitted by Kim Woodring