Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1481117
39 farm406 e estolide-based bio-lubricant began drawing aention from some heavy hiers. Following its catastrophic oil spill in 2010, British Petroleum (BP) was looking to bolster its image. A wholesome bio-lubricant product developed from the grassroots up seemed like the perfect opportunity. Monsanto got in line, and suddenly the company found itself in the big leagues. Powerhouse companies were invested, and the product was speaking for itself. A Fateful twist to the Story ey were one week away from breaking ground on a processing facility when, out of the blue, BP and Monsanto called their banknotes. With the snap of a finger, the company Wasson and O'Hara nurtured to adulthood completely derailed. "It was a total shock. We were devastated," said O'Hara. It was over, and there was nothing Wasson, O'Hara, or any other founding company member could do about it. ey gathered their pride and sold the company to Biosynthetic Technologies in Indiana- which still produces the estolide-based bio-lubricant today. Life returned to normal. Wasson jumped back into his family operation. He realized through this wild ride that he is a good farmer and is proud to stick to what he knows. O'Hara ran for Montana Governor in 2012. He has since retired and enjoys doing artwork. Both men concur they learned a lot about themselves while cultivating a start-up company. ey are both fiercely proud of what they were able to do. In all honesty, Peaks and Prairie really did accomplish the goals it set out to do. e company created jobs in Montana and opened the door for value-added agriculture in the state by laying a foundation that is still being built upon to this day. "Six farmers from Montana had enough heartbeat to change the way people look at certain oils," Wasson articulated. ey say life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey. Kent Wasson and Jim O'Hara spent the beer part of a decade partaking in the wildest ride of their life, but they did it. Never underestimate the tenacity of a group of farmers who love their career and state. ey can make just about anything happen.