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Spray. Pull. Mow. But what about educate? Effective weed management also means helping people understand why noxious weeds matter to the things they already care about. Jen Mohler with Grow Wild Montana and Megan Hoyer with the Montana Department of Agriculture discuss how education can help build stronger weed prevention and stewardship across Montana. Check out the full interview at: Education: The Other Noxious Weed Management Tool - Northern Ag Network   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spray. Pull. Mow. But what about educate? Effective weed management also means reaching people where they are and giving them a reason to care. In this episode of Pull Together. Stop the Spread., Jen Mohler Executive Director with Grow Wild Montana and Megan Hoyer Invasive Species Education Coordinator with the Montana Department of Agriculture explore a different approach to weed education-connecting invasive species to the things people already care about. From agriculture and recreation to wildlife, native plants and healthy landscapes, they discuss how education can make weed prevention more relevant, give more people a role in the solution, and ultimately build a stronger culture of stewardship across Montana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It sounds like a movie plot we've seen before... fake authority, fear and urgency, and a scammer going after someone’s savings.  All in the script, but the difference is this case is real and unfolded right here in Montana. A 74-year-old woman is contacted by someone claiming to be with the FTC. She’s told her identity has been tied to serious crimes, instructed to buy gift cards and a burner phone, and pressured to move money out of her retirement account. In this episode of Fraud Files, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown and Sidney Du Varney, one of the Investigator/Examiners on the case, breaks down how the scam unfolded, and the smart decisions that kept a $900 loss from becoming much more. Seniors are frequent targets of fraud, but the tactics used in this case can work on anyone. Hear what raised the red flags, what finally exposed the scam, and the lessons we can all use to protect ourselves and those around us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jeff Littlefield with Montana State University and Melissa Maggio with the Montana Biocontrol Project break down how biological control works, some common misconceptions and perspectives on what to consider when using this tool in your Integrated Weed Management Plan.      Listen to the full interview at:  https://www.northernag.net/in-the-weeds-with-biocontrol/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recognition of the Year of the Woman Farmer, Montana Farmers Union Small Family Farms podcast continues highlighting women shaping Montana agriculture. In this episode, we visit with Megan Bausch, a fourth-generation Montana farmer who works alongside her dad on the family operation. Megan shares the dynamics of that partnership, along with how the farm has grown Bausch Potato Inc.'s direct-to-consumer sales and value-added agriculture side of the business. Looking to connect with other women in agriculture, Megan attended a Montana Farmers Union Women’s Conference and soon became a member. Just two years later, that connection has opened the door to new relationships, experiences and resources, including assistance with haying equipment that helped expand another area of the farm. It’s a story of family, connection and finding new opportunities to grow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really mean to fight weeds with bugs? In this episode of the Pull Together. Stop the Spread. podcast, Dr. Jeff Littlefield with Montana State University and Melissa Maggio with the Montana Biocontrol Project take us inside the world of biological control. They break down what biocontrol is and isn’t, clear up common misconceptions, and explain the extensive research and testing that goes into putting these tiny weed fighters to work. We’ll hear examples of successful biocontrol programs being used in Montana today, what landowners should realistically expect, and a look at the research and opportunities shaping the future of biocontrol in Montana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could your hay be hiding more than nutrition? Colter Brown talks with Madison County Weed Coordinator Clayton Marxer and Dr. Ellie Reedy of Mountainview Veterinary about Hoary Alyssum, how it ends up in hay, and what every horse owner should know. For the full podcast check out:  https://omny.fm/shows/northern-ag-network-podcasts/whats-hiding-in-the-hay-hoary-alyssum-horse-health   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every family farm has a story, and this one is worth hearing. In the latest episode of Montana Family Farms Podcast, Colton Young sits down with Melinda Anakalea of Harlow Ranch as part of Montana Farmers Union's Year of the Woman Farmer series. Melinda shares how her family has built a diverse bison operation through innovation, value-added agriculture, and direct-to-consumer marketing. She also reflects on the importance of recognizing the contributions of women in agriculture and why taking time to "fill the tank" is essential for building resilient families, farms, and communities. Thank you to Montana Farmers Union for helping share the stories of farm families and the women behind them who keep Montana agriculture strong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when someone entrusted with helping people out of jail instead uses that position for personal gain? In this episode of Fraud Files, host Adrienna Hines is joined by Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown, with color commentary from Stacy Zinn, consultant and former DEA Resident Agent in Charge for Montana, to examine the case of Billings bail bondsman Louis Ikeda. The discussion explores allegations that Ikeda reduced or covered bail amounts in exchange for sex, falsified bond records, and abused his position of authority over vulnerable women seeking release from custody. The case ultimately led to the revocation of his Montana insurance license, a $15,000 civil penalty, and later a federal guilty plea tied to exchanging bond money for sex. Together, they explain why this case was both an insurance enforcement matter and a criminal prosecution, how Montana acted to protect the public, and what it reveals about the dangers of exploiting positions of trust and authority. Fraud Files takes listeners inside real Montana fraud investigations, breaking down how these schemes happen, how they're uncovered, and what consumers can learn to better protect themselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A weed many Montanans drive past every day has been linked to horse deaths. In this episode of Pull Together Stop the Spread, Colter Brown talks with Madison County Weed Coordinator Clayton Marxer and Dr. Ellie Reedy of Mountainview Veterinary about Hoary Alyssum, how it ends up in hay, and what every horse owner should know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a wildfire, the work of protecting the landscape is just beginning. Invasive plants and noxious weeds can take over, making recovery more difficult and increasing the risk of future wildfires. Hear from Dr. Jane Mangold of MSU Extension and Jaycie Arndt of the University of Wyoming's IMAGINE program in this month's Montana News and Ag Noxious Weed Prevention Feature. Listen to the full interview here:  https://www.northernag.net/wildfire-weeds-when-the-smoke-clears/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest threat to the landscape after a wildfire isn't the fire itself? When the flames are gone, a new battle often begins. Burned areas can become prime targets for invasive plants and noxious weeds, creating a cycle that makes future wildfires more likely and recovery more difficult. In Episode 2 of the Pull Together, Stop the Spread Podcast, host Colter Brown sits down with Dr. Jane Mangold, with MSU Extension Professor of Invasive and Noxious Weed Management at Montana State University, and Jaycie Arndt, IMAGINE Coordinator and Assistant Research Scientist at University of Wyoming, to discuss why burned landscapes are especially vulnerable to weed invasion, how wildfire and invasive species are reshaping landscapes and what landowners and communities can do to help break the cycle.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever feel like you're too busy to get involved? Stine Decker farms alongside her dad near Joplin, raises three young kids, serves in agricultural leadership roles, and advocates for rural mental health. So, when she talks about making time for what matters, she's speaking from experience. In this episode of Montana Farmers Union’s Montana Family Farms Podcast, Stine shares how getting involved has helped her grow personally and professionally and why supporting mental health in rural communities is something she's passionate about. Her message is simple: Ask questions. Raise your hand. Get involved. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.