Publisher’s Note - Winter Issue 2026
Abraham Lincoln once said, “It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”
As 2025 wound down, we visited the Producer Partnership facility near Livingston and met with rancher and founder, Matt Pierson. Matt started the non-profit just five years ago and has donated over 350,000 pounds of meat to schools and food banks across Montana.
We followed Harlowton veterinarian Katie Rein while she pregnancy tested 200 of the 25,000-plus cows she singlehandedly tested last year. Katie’s a multi-generational Montanan and has a reputation for being one of the top large animal veterinarians in the state.
We visited with Claire Murnin, 18, who simultaneously dons the blue jacket as newly elected Montana State FFA President and wears the crown as Miss American Angus. She’ll be spending the year attending college, crisscrossing the state and the country for FFA and Angus and promoting her daily life in agriculture through her social media platform.
And we met Alli Allen, Miss Rodeo Montana 2025, who began her reign a year ago after overcoming a traumatic brain injury. Alli raises the bar for all of us to put life in our years. Her attitude, her faith and her determination are inspirational.
What do these folks have in common? They are making a difference. We love featuring authentic people. Folks that work tirelessly every day to make the world around them a better place to live.
It’s that spirit of independence, yet a willingness to be helped; the idea of seeing a need and filling it, rather than hoping someone else will take care of it. Their humility, strength and determination to go the extra mile are the reason they stand out. We’re honored to share their stories.
We also pay tribute to the Farmers’ Almanac. 2026 marks the last year of publication. Be sure to grab a copy! It’ll be a collector’s item one day.
We share ways to prepare for the upcoming gardening season, and we feature not only a few of Jean’s favorite recipes, but those of her 13-year-old daughter, who, under Jean’s direction, is also becoming a great chef in the kitchen.
Our news for the new year is that we’ll be publishing five issues! We’re planning four seasonal issues and a special holiday issue at the end of the year. Look for the latest issue in all our usual distribution points, subscribe to receive a magazine by mail, or read us online at raisedinthewest.com.
Happy New Year! May it bring many blessings to you and yours!
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Psalm 50:15