By Jean Schurman
Imagine trying to plan a surprise when the one being surprised is always the person doing the legwork on the honor. That was the quandary the Bitterroot Stockgrowers were in for the past few weeks as they planned their annual banquet and Ag Expo. The highlight of the banquet is always the Lifetime Achievement Award that is given to a person or family who has been active in the agriculture community here in the valley. For many years, Rob Johnson has been the person doing the legwork for the banquet and in particular, on the Lifetime Achievement Award.
But this year, the Stockgrowers wanted to honor Johnson. So they set about working behind his back, while telling him they had selected someone from the north Florence area.
“We came up with the name Homer Simpson,” said Bitterroot Stockgrowers president Brian Rouse. “We didn’t think he would know that name.”
Johnson didn’t know that name and was very perplexed there was someone in the valley that was so well known as to be selected by the committee and he hadn’t even known of the fellow.
All of the subterfuge paid off. The committee had to break down and tell Johnson on Thursday when he wanted to finish working on the programs. Johnson was honored on Saturday night to a packed house of ranchers, stockmen, businessmen and supporters of agriculture. Johnson became Ravalli County’s extension agent in 1972. Through the office, he was instrumental in many aspects of agriculture, from soil testing to cattle marketing. At that time the 4H program was very strong and it continued to grow to have one of the largest memberships in the state. Even though he is retired, Johnson continues to be a project leader in cowboy poetry.
He held workshops for cattlemen throughout the valley and that grew to include almost 100 ranches. As if that weren’t enough, he also held range workshops and a class for new landowners called Living on the Land. He helped establish the Right to Farm board, the Open Lands Board, and the Water Forum. He also worked closely with the Bitterroot RC&D.
During the ‘70’s, the Weak Calf Syndrome was a major concern in the Bitterroot. Johnson worked with local veterinarian Jack Ward to search for a cause and a cure. He also worked with the Western Montana Ag Research Center for a way to curtail the spread of Spotted Knapweed. Johnson received a national award for his efforts in these two fields.
Johnson was born in eastern Montana on a farm where they raised sugar beets, oats, corn and Hereford cattle. A cowboy from the beginning, he enjoyed the cowboy’s life, herding cattle and training horses. He attended the University of Montana and was on its first rodeo team in 1957. He transferred to Montana State where he received a degree in agriculture extension. After graduation, he worked as an agent in Mineral County and then at Yellowstone County. With a growing family in mind, he decided to further his education and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he obtained his master’s degree.
Missoula Extension Agent Jerry Marks spoke of Johnson’s dedication to not only working with farmers and ranchers but also with educators, state legislatures and acting as a mentor to all. “He is a problem solver,” said Marks.
As a tip of the hat to Johnson’s poetry connection, Corvallis dairyman Tim Huls read an original poem entitled “The Extension Man.” Charla Bauman read another poem and 4H member Kylie Rhoades of Stevensville read one of her poems.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Johnson. “I had no idea. They did a good job keeping a secret.”
There were several other events at the banquet. The 2016 Steer of Merit award winners were recognized. These are 4H and FFA members in the beef project whose steers have met criteria set by the MSU Extension office and the Montana Stockgrowers Association. The program has been in place since the late 1960’s. After the fair, the carcasses are evaluated and assigned a score. Last year there were 69 Steer of Merit awards given with five from Ravalli County. Those five are: Nyssa Schairer – 1st in Ravalli County, 15th in Montana; Sam Dunn – 2nd in Ravalli County, 16th in Montana; Sam Kearney – 3rd in Ravalli County, 17th in Montana; Annalie Cleavland – 4th in Ravalli County, 27th in Montana; and Tanner Pendergast, 5th in Ravalli County and 29th in Montana.
One of the highlights of the night was the live auction where a round bale feeder was resold several times as a fundraiser for Pet Ehmann of Darby who was injured in an accident on the Ehmann Ranch last fall. The feeder raised over $12,000 with many businesses buying and turning it around to be sold again and again.