Farm406

farm406 30 "When you are working with living things, life simply takes the time it takes. My timing is only relevant to me. A cow wears her own clock, as does grass, as does a microbe, as does every living thing. I cannot force life to happen on my clock - and I am learning to feel awe in that rather than frustration," Susan Elder, an apprentice on the Charter Ranch near Shepard told me. Rex Rutledge, an apprentice on the Seacross Ranch near Lodge Grass, told me he's learned patience. "I never thought I had much patience, but when you start learning to move cale (especially pairs), you learn that cale don't operate on anyone else's time frame other than their own. Learning to take things slow is one of the most important things I've learned." Hearing them all made me recall my own experiences on my ranch and how I am constantly reminding myself to take my time, do it right, and don't get in a hurry. And when I ask them what they are thinking about for 2021, it seems that staying in agriculture in Montana is the most popular answer. "I believe I've finally landed where I want to be in agriculture - helping manage a large amount of land, learning from cows and my mentors, geing anxiety over grasshoppers, and building friendships with neighbors," Natalie told me as we headed back to the house. "I think I'll stay for a while." If you are interested in hosting an apprentice in 2021 or would like more information, please go to: hps://quiviracoalitin.org/ newagrarian/ Apprentices watch as Whit Hibbard demonstrates livestock handling techniques during a clinic held on the Mannix Ranch near Helmville, MT. Apprentices talk during a Whit Hibbard livestock handling clinic. The NAP program hosts supplemental educational livestock, soil and rangeland health workshops for apprentices throughout the apprenticeship year. Apprentices Natalie Berkman (l) and Jeanne Stafford (r) hop in the back of apprentice Brady Lux's truck on their way to the Whit Hibbard clinic.

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