Reaching Across the Fence - Meghan Lehman

Hi, I'm Meghan! I love cows, green grass and wide-open spaces. While pina coladas may not be my drink of choice, I usually don't complain about getting caught in the rain.

I grew up as a kid living in town in Baker and Miles City with dreams of someday owning my own cattle. Some of my favorite memories as a kid were spent on the ranch my dad grew up on that my Uncle Charlie still runs. I finally felt like I had "made it" as a farm kid when my parents bought a small, irrigated place in the Yellowstone Valley. We kept all kinds of 4-H animals, steers, pigs, lambs, chickens, and a mighty herd of barn cats. After my 4-H years were over I continued to help my dad with irrigating duties and running a few yearlings in the summers or when I was home.

After I graduated high school in Miles City, I made the grand move to Bozeman to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was serving as a State FFA Officer and joined a myriad of clubs including the Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers. It soon became my favorite as I became familiar with the brand and purpose of MFBF. I even got to represent Montana in the Discussion Meet at the national contest in Reno, NV. After my experiences I knew I wanted to be a full-fledged member when I became a "real adult."

After a stint in Kansas to get a master's degree in Ag Economics, I was so excited to move home to Montana. I started working at Northwest Farm Credit as a loan officer and I became a member of the Yellowstone County Farm Bureau in January of 2021. I still work for AgWest Farm Credit (formerly Northwest) as an Appraiser. My husband and I recently bought a (tiny) place in Joliet last fall, and I transferred my membership to Carbon-Stillwater Counties.

ACE was something that I had on my radar since the program was launched. There were many folks (you know who you are) that badgered me about applying to ACE over the years. I always enjoyed leadership development and wanted to learn how to better contribute to the Farm Bureau mission. As a result, I have been able to envision my goals within the organization and my community. A goal of mine would be to serve on the Young Farmer & Rancher Committee representing District 4, and be more involved in Carbon County supporting our 4-H and FFA youth programs.

Thus far, our class has heard from a variety of leaders and experts. Bruce Vincent, a logger from Libby, talked about his experience in working with environmental groups that wanted to stop logging in his area. He found that sitting across the table to find they both had common goals of protecting bears and maintaining forest health. He took the time to slow down and see how they were more similar than different. I can see this as a tool we could use to work with those across the aisle in today's political climate.

As part of ACE, we are tasked with a project. I thought about issues like water rights, foreign ownership of farmland, but the one the stuck with me the most is rural mental health. Admittedly, I wouldn't be where I am if I had not received treatment for my ADHD and anxiety. Farmers and Ranchers are 3.5 times higher than that of the general population. I challenge you to look for the signs in the folks around you and check in on those you love.

Luckily, we have so many resources that specifically address mental health in rural communities and those in agriculture. Beyond the Weather offers resources for farmers and ranchers in Montana and Wyoming. The AgriStress Hotline is a free resource you can call or text 24/7 manned by trained folks who live/understand our way of life. More mainstream counseling apps like Talkspace and Better Help connect you with a mental health provider that practices in Montana. You can also call or text the Suicide and Crisis Helpline at 988. If you don't want to talk to a stranger, I dare you to reach across the fence to check on your friends and neighbors.

If you have made it this far, I owe you a beer! I sure appreciate that you took the time to read what I've written. I hope to see you somewhere on the trail, whether it be at Convention this fall or a future event.

Be kind to yourself and your neighbors, ask for help when you need it, and keep your powder dry.

Meghan

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