Connections & Conversations - Amber Elliott

My name is Amber Elliott, and I am originally from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I grew up around my grandfather’s cow-calf operation which sparked my passion for agriculture and led me to pursue a degree in Animal Science at Colorado State University with an emphasis in beef production and bovine reproduction. After college, I moved to Montana to work at a bull stud before joining Montana State University Extension as an Agriculture and 4-H Extension Agent in Carbon County. My work has given me the opportunity to work closely with many agricultural producers in the area where I was introduced Montana Farm Bureau. This is my first year being involved with the Carbon/Stillwater Farm Bureau.

I was interested in participating in ACE because I want to become a more effective leader and advocate. Teaching and communicating with various groups of people is a huge part of my job, but I recognize that there are many areas where I can continue to grow as a leader. I was particularly interested in developing my skills in advocacy at a local level, becoming more knowledgeable about issues within our industry, and being able to effectively communicate with audiences outside of agriculture.

Following ACE, one of my goals is to become more active in my county Farm Bureau and community. I want to use the skills I gain from the program to participate in conversations about issues facing our community and to be able to communicate those concerns more effectively to local government or other groups. I also would like to connect with other young producers and help them recognize that their voices matter. I believe advocacy is an important part of protecting the future of agriculture and we need to encourage as many people as possible to be involved in those conversations. 

I believe leadership and advocacy skills are especially important for farmers and ranchers in rural Montana because many of the decisions affecting agriculture are being made by people who are disconnect from production agriculture. If we want agriculture to have a voice in those decisions, we have to be willing to speak up, effectively build relationships, and clearly communicate our experiences. Strong rural communities need leaders who are willing to be involved, advocate for their neighbors, and be proactive instead of just reacting to decisions after they have been made.

One of the biggest issues I see facing agriculture is succession planning and the challenges that come with keeping working ranches or farms in the family. Passing an operation on to the next generation is not always as simple as deciding who will take it over. There are many financial decisions and burdens, including estate taxes and high capital costs, as well as challenging family dynamics that come with changing roles and determining what is equitable versus what is fair. There are also many difficult conversations that families have to navigate. I think, at a local level, we can do a better job of encouraging producers to have those conversations sooner, put plans in writing, and provide information and resources to help families feel more prepared for the future. At a larger level, I believe we also need to advocate for policies that support and make generational transitions more achievable for working farms and ranches.