I believe good solutions start by listening to the people who live and work on the land every day. These are some of the concerns he is hearing across rural Montana and the practical approaches he supports moving forward.
Protecting Montana Ranchlands & Rural Economics
Montana ranch families have cared for this land for generations. When large outside-funded groups buy up working ranchland and take it out of production, it does not just affect one ranch — it affects local schools, small businesses, tax bases, livestock markets, and the rural communities built around agriculture.
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I believe we need a serious conversation at both the state and federal level about the long-term impact of these large land acquisitions. Conservation should not come at the expense of working ranch families, private property rights, or the economic backbone of rural Montana.
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My priority is to protect Montana’s working lands, support the ranchers who have been good stewards of the land for generations, and make sure decisions about Montana’s future are not driven by outside interests with little understanding of the people who live and work here.
Water Infrastructure & Aquatic Resources
Water is one of Montana’s most important resources, and we need to manage it wisely for agriculture, rural communities, fish, streams, rivers, and future generations.
I support practical, long-term water solutions that protect aquifers, improve irrigation infrastructure, and help communities adjust to weather variability. From a farmer and rancher's perspective, reliable irrigation water, creek water, healthy streams, and access to water all matter.
As high population growth areas place more pressure on groundwater and exempt wells, Montana needs balanced solutions that protect rural landowners, agriculture, aquatic resources, and the future of our water. I believe water policy should be guided by local input, common sense, and the people who understand the land.
Modernizing the Endangered Species Act
Montana can protect wildlife and still protect the people who live and work on the land. I believe the Endangered Species Act needs a practical update so decisions are based on sound science, local input, and the full picture — not just one species or one concern.
Ranchers, farmers, sportsmen, landowners, and rural communities are all part of the puzzle. Montana needs a stronger voice in wildlife management so we can protect healthy wildlife populations while also supporting agriculture, private property rights, and working lands.
I believe conservation works best when people work together, and practical solutions are built around the land, the wildlife, and the communities affected.
Soil Health & Rotational Grazing
Montana farmers and ranchers depend on healthy soil, strong grasslands, and good stewardship to keep agriculture productive for the next generation. I believe some of the best conservation work is already being done by the people who live and work on the land every day.
Rotational grazing and responsible pasture management can help improve soil health, strengthen root systems, hold moisture, reduce erosion, and keep rangelands productive. These practices also support livestock, wildlife habitat, and the long-term health of working ranches.
I believe conservation works best when it is voluntary, practical, and locally driven. Programs through local FSA and NRCS offices can be valuable partners when they work with farmers and ranchers to find ideas that make sense for each operation and each piece of land.
