Local industry leaders visit with state lawmakers, officials

Flathead Valley residents Shauna Dunn, Shelby George, Brian Hogue, and Cameron Wohlschlegel just returned from Helena as part of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership). For REAL Montana Class V, this was the third seminar in their two-year educational program.

The focus of the seminar was state government and the legislative process. While in Helena, the class toured the Capitol building, learned how a bill becomes a law, and attended committee hearings. Seminar speakers included Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, leaders in the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Revenue, Department of Livestock, and state legislators. The class also learned about cooperation and collaboration among competing interests, discussed state water issues, and prepared for their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. with a Farm Bill panel. A skill building session included training on how to provide testimony in a legislative hearing. A highlight of the seminar was a networking reception in the Capitol rotunda attended by legislators, program sponsors, and industry leaders.

“It was an incredible learning experience to get exposed to our citizens legislature and hear first hand how our legislative process works from our top government officials,” said Wohlschlegel.

Twenty of Montana’s top natural resource industry leaders from across the state were competitively selected to take part in REAL Montana Class V. The program’s mission is to build a network of informed and engaged leaders to advance the natural resource industries in Montana. The two-year leadership program features eight in-state seminars; a five-day national study tour in Washington D.C.; and a ten-day international trip. Seminars include training in natural resource development, agriculture institutions and agencies, public speaking/media, economics, state and federal policy, international trade, urban/rural relationships, water issues, and other current industry topics.

REAL Montana is funded through a partnership with Montana State University Extension and private industry. Oversight is provided by an advisory board of industry leaders.

Complete program information is available at www.montana.edu/REALMontana/