As Montana farmers and ranchers age, young people face challenges entering the industry

Morgan Rose rode horses for as long as she wanted growing up. She woke up early in the morning and basked in life on her parents’ ranch in Dillon.

Rose knew what she wanted to do when she was older: live on a ranch, raise cattle and pursue a career in agriculture.

“You think this lifestyle is all that and a bag of chips,” Rose said.

She thought she understood the hardships of a life in agriculture as she watched her parents’ facial expression when they sold calves. Or when her mother said something wasn’t affordable because it was a bad year in the cattle market. Or when her parents worked long hours every day of the week.

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