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Table of Contents
Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation From the Ground Up Oral History Project, 2012 -
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Montana. Deparment of Natural Resources & Conservation
- Title
- Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation From the Ground Up Oral History Project
- Dates
- 2012 - (inclusive)2012
- Quantity
-
37 audio recordings with transcripts; Number of sound files and pages in each transcript provided in container list. - Collection Number
- OH 2327 (collection)
- Summary
- This oral history project focused on the experiences of women who have operated farms and/or ranches in Montana during all or a portion of their life captured in 37 interviews. Each interview includes an audio recording and/or a typed transcript. You can find the transcripts on the DNRC Conservation Districts' Bureau Website.
- Repository
-
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Conservation Districts, Bureau, under the guidance of Linda Brander, developed the From the Ground Up Oral History Project in 2012 as a way to highlight the role of women in agriculture and conservation as an essential thread in the fabric of Montana's settlement and history. Working with local DNRC conservation districts, the program works with students, educators, and community leaders, providing training and guidance to local residents,520 teachers, and students as they prepare to conduct interviews. Interviews are then conducted with women in the local agricultural community.
Interviewers also included local conservation district administrators, and oral history project director Linda Brander. For more information on the project, please visit the Conservation Districts Bureau page on the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation website.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This oral history project focused on the experiences of women who have operated farms and/or ranches in Montana during all or a portion of their life captured in 37 interviews. Each interview includes an audio recording and/or a typed transcript. You can find the transcripts on the DNRC Conservation Districts' Bureau Website.
This oral history project builds community memories by recording and preserving the oral histories of women ranchers and farmers. The stories capture a look at their past and a glimpse into their daily lives as they work and care for the land and animals. While each woman has a unique experience, a number of common topics are discussed in all the oral histories. These topics include what a typical day on the ranch/farm looks like, being a wife of a rancher/farmer and raising their families on ranches/farms, working as a family to operate the ranch/farm their involvement in their local communites, the community schools they attended as children, the link between ranching and conservation, how members of the agricultural community can strengthen ties with the public, what role they feel women play in agriculture, and what the term "sense of place" means to them.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Researchers requesting copies of interviews should refer to the OH number (OH 2327_##) and name of interviewee when ordering.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The Montana Historical Society is the co-owner (along with the Montana Department of Natural Resource and Conservation) of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
[OH number][Interview title] Montana Historical Society Research Center. Archives. Helena, Montana.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Inventory is arranged by item, with each oral history interview listed by its unique OH number.
Acquisition Information
Linda Brander collected the interviews which were conducted by herself, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Local Conservation District Managers, and members of the community.
Related Materials
You can find the transcripts on the DNRC Conservation Districts' Bureau Website.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection
| Description | Dates |
|---|---|
| OH 2327_1: EVELYN AIKEN INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 24 pages)
Evelyn Aiken was born January 24, 1925 in Whitlash, MT. Topics covered in
the interview include: Whitlash (Mont.) ; Postmasters--Montana. ; Chester
(Mont.) ; Thompson Falls (Mont.)--schools. ; Ranch life--winter. ;
Dowsing--Montana. ; Weeds--Control--Montana.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_2: JEANETTE TOMSHECK BROWN INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 14 pages)
Jeanette Tomsheck Brown was born east of Sunburst, MT. Topics covered in the
interview include: Sunburst (Mont.) ; Farm life--Winter. ; Toole County
(Mont.)--Schools. ; Ranchers' spouses--Montana. ; Whitlash
(Mont.)--Presbyterian Church.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_3: CELESTE SCHWEND INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 13 pages)
Celeste Schwend (nee Ward) was born in Carbon County, MT on August 17, 1931.
Topics covered in the interview include: Carbon County (Mont.)--Schools. ;
Carbon Conservation District ; Dairy cattle--Montana.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_4: LINDA FINLEY INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 13 pages)
Linda Finley (nee Schwend) was born in Carbon County, MT on Pryor Mountain.
Topics covered in the interview include: Carbon Count (Mont.)--Schools. ;
Ranch life--Montana. ; Sheep industry--Montana. ;
Irrigation--Montana--Management.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_5: JOYCE VERNETTA LARSEN DYE INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 7 pages)
Joyce Vernetta Larsen Dye was born April 22, 1928 outside Galata, MT. Topics
covered in the interview include: Farming activites--Harvesting. ; Galata
(Mont.)--Schools.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_6: MICHELLE GEARY HOLT INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 16 pages)
Michelle Geary Holt was born Jun 1948 in Butte, MT. Topics covered in the
interview include: Helmville (Mont.)--History. ; Ranchers' spouses--Montana.
; Haying.; Haying equipment. ; Cattle--Parturition. ; Challenges--Ranch
life.
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_7: CORA GOGGINS AND JANET GOGGINS ENDECOTT
INTERVIEW
2 .wav file(s) (Transcript 27 pages)
Cora Groggins was born in Harlowton, MT in 1929, Janet Groggins Endecott was
born in 1944 in Ennis, MT. Topics covered in the interview include:
Cattle--Breeding. ; Cattle--Showing ; Ranchers' spouses--Montana. ;
Ranches--Sexual division of labor. ; Madison Conservation District. ; Soil
conservation--Montana. ; Earthquakes--Montana--Hebgen Lake.
|
2012 |
| OH 2327_8: DIANA GRAVELEY AND CHARMON GRAVELEY HANSEN
INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 18 pages)
Diana Graveley (nee Burkart) was born in Billings, MT in 1928. Charmon
Graveley Hansen grew up on the family ranch west of Canyon Ferry Lake, MT.
Topics included in the interview include: Farm tenancy--Montana. ;
Agriculture--Economic aspects--Montana. ; Ranchers' spouses--Montana. ;
Livestock farms--Montana. ; Harvesting machinery.
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_9: HELEN GIBBS INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 21 pages)
Helen Gibbs was born on August 19, 1928 in Jordan, MT. Topics covered in the
interview include: Garfield County--Schools. ; Jordan (Mont.) ; Predatory
animals--Control--Montana. ; Livestock--Grazing. ; Rural
electrification--Montana.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_10: MELODY HARDING INTERVIEW
2 .wav file(s) (Transcript 14 pages)
Melody Harding was born on February 24, 1951 in Lander, Wy. Topics covered in
the interview include: Rodeos--Montana. ; Horses--Training--Montana. ;
Ranches--Sexual division of labor.
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_11: TRACY HENTGES INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 25 pages)
Tracy Hentges (nee Goerss) was born on March 2, 1964 in Springville, NY.
Topics covered in the interview include: Cattle--Montana. ; Wheat
farmers--Montana. ; Crops and soils--Montana. ; Range management--Montana.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_12: BETTY HEDSTROM INTERVIEW
2 .wav file(s) (Transcript 25 pages)
Betty Johnson Hedstrom was born on February 13, 1955 in Great Falls, MT and
raised in Raynesford, MT. Topics covered in the interview include: Fronteir
and pioneer life--Homesteading--Montana. ; Judith Basin (Mont.) ; Horse
training--Montana. ; Cattle--Montana. ; 4-H clubs--Judith Basin (Mont.) ;
Judith Basin Conservation District
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_13: LAURAINE JOHNSON INTERVIEW
2 .wav file(s) (Transcript 23 pages)
Lauraine Johnson (nee Whitworth) was born on May 17, 1942 in Arlee, MT .
Topics covered in the interview include: Farm tenancy--Montana. ;
Pastures--Irrigation. ; Indians, North American--Montana--Ranching. ;
Eastern Sanders Conservation District ; Resource Advisory Council
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_14: MAGGIE JULSON INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 32 pages)
Maggie Julson (nee Small) was born July 27, 1942 in St. Charles, MN. She
purchased her first Montana ranch in 1980 in Sheridan, MT and purchased a
ranch in Reed Point, MT in 1989. Topics covered in the interview include:
Sheep farming--Montana. ; Grazing--Montana--Management. ; Targhee Sheep ;
Alternative Energy Resources Organization (Helena, Mont.) ;
Farming--No-tillage. ; Predatroy animals--Contorl--Montana.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_15: JUDI KNAPP INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 12 pages)
Judi Knapp (nee Black) was born May 19, 1944 in New Rockford, ND and grew up
on a rach in Musselshell County, MT. Topics covered in the interview
include: Wheat farmers--Montana. ; Challenges--Ranch life. ; Ranches--Sexual
division of labor.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_16: PEGGY GRAVELEY KUDE INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 9 pages)
Pegy Graveley Kude was born around 1941 andgrew up in Townsend, MT. Topics
covered in the interview include: Townsend (Mont.) ; Hay--Harvesting. ;
Lombard (Mont.)--Schools
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_17: ESTHER MCDONALD INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 21 pages)
Esther McDonalds was born in Seattle, WA and moved with her family to a ranch
in Darby, MT. She then married her husband and moved onto his family ranch
in Philipsburg, MT. Topics covered in the interview include:
Livestock--Transportation. ; Hay--Harvesting. ; Pastures--Irrigation. ;
Women in agriculture--Montana--Societies, etc. ; Ranching--Law and
legislation ; Montana Stockgrowers Association ; Bitterroot Valley
(Mont.)--Socieities, etc. ; Social life and customs--Montana.
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_18: NOLA PETERSON INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 7 pages)
Nola Peterson (Sorenson) was born on August 3, 1959 in Ontario, OR and
ranches with her husband on the Person Grain and Cattle Inc. ranch 26 miles
northwest of Havre, MT. Topics covered in the interview include: Farm
management--Montana. ; Wheat farmers--Montana. Community Activists--Hill
County (Mont.)
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_19: ARLENE PILE INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 10 pages)
Arlene Pile (nee Birkeland) was born on November 11, 1934 in Big Timber, MT
and grew up on a ranch in Lower Deer Creek east of Big Timber. Topics
covered in the interview include: Cattle--Montana. ; Community
Activists--Sweet Grass County (Mont.).
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_20: VERNA SOKOLOSKI INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 27 pages)
Verna Sokoloski was born December 9, 1914 in Wibaus County, MT on the family
ranch. Topics covered in the interview include: Social life and
customs--Wibaux County (Mont.) ; Agriculture--Montana ; Great Depression. ;
Icehouses--Montana. ; Threshing--Montana. ; St. Phillips (Mont.)--Schools.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_21: GLENNA STUCKY INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 12 pages)
Glenna Stucky (nee Krueger) was born September 21, 1936 in Bozeman, MT and
grew up on a farm in the Gallatin Valley. Topics covered in the interview
include: Farm management--Montana--Accounting. ; Women in
agriculture--Montana--Societies, etc.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_22: JANET ZEIG INTERVIEW
2 .wav file(s) (Transcript 24 pages)
Janet Zeig (nee Cameron) was born on April 22, 1934 In Harlow, MT and grew up
on a ranch outside Martinsdale, MT. Topics covered in the interview include:
Meagher County (Mont.)--Schools. ; Wheatland County (Mont.)--School. ; Sheep
farming--Montana. ; Grazing--Montana--Management. ; Challenges--Ranch life.
; Cattle--Animal feeding. ; Livestock management--Montana. ; Outfitting
industry--Montana. ; Ranches--Sexual division of labor.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_23: DANA WEATHERFORD INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 7 pages)
Dana Weatherford was born on July 17, 1993 in Billings, MT and spent her
childhood on the family ranch in Joliet, MT. She is the daughter of Linda
Finley (OH 2327_4). Topics covered in the interview include: Youth
organizations--Agriculture. ; Weeds--Control--Montana.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_24: LEE JACOBSEN INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 22 pages)
Mary Lee "Lee" Jacobsen was born on August 16, 1931 in La Push, WA and came
to Conrad, MT following nursing school where she met and married her husband
before purchasing a ranch outside Cut Bank, MT. Topics covered in the
interview include: Artificial insemination industry, Cattle--Montana. ; Oil
wells--Montana--History--20th century. ; Homesteading--Toole County (Mont.).
; Homesteading--Pondera County (Mont.). ; Challenges--Ranch life. ;
Irrigation--Montana--Management. ; Soil conservation--Montana.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_25: BARBARA KIRSCHER INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 11 pages)
Barbara Kirscher was born April 15, 1927 in Judith Gap. Barbara Kirscher
discusses her general feeling on conservation in regards to farming and
ranching in the state. Topics covered in the interview include: Canton
(Mont.) ; Irrigation--Management--Montana. ; Flood control--Montana.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_26: PAULINE WEBB INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 15 pages)
Pauline Webb (nee Adams) was born August 28, 1920 and grew up in Iowa.
Topics covered in the interview include: Ranchers' spouses--Montana. ;
Challenges--Ranch life. ; Ranch life--Chores. ; Agriculture in Montana
Schools.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_27: VALERIE WADMAN INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 14 pages)
Valerie Wadman was born in Seattle, WA in 1947. In 1970 she married and
moved onto a ranch near Cut Bank, MT. In the intreview Ms. Wadman discusses
both her own ranching experiences, as well as those of her grandparents who
homesteaded in Montana in the 1910s. Topics covered in the interview
include: Internship programs--Agriculture. ; Tiber Dam effect on farms and
ranches on the Marias River ; Homesteading--Montana. ; Sheep farming--Montana.
|
2016 |
| OH 2327_28: COLLEEN MCGOWAN GUSTAFSON INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 22 pages)
Coleen McGowan Gustafson was born January 4, 1966 in Highwood, MT, and grew up farming
and ranching on her family's ranch. She married and began ranching outside Browning, MT.
Topics covered in the interview include: Hihgwood School ; 4-H clubs--Highwood (Mont.) ;
Ranchers' spouses--Montana. ; Cattle--Montana. ; Livestock--Bottle feeing. ;
Challenges--Ranch life. ; Weeds--Control--Montana. ; Predatory animals--Control--Montana.
; Livestock--Grazing.
|
2014 |
| OH 2327_29: LELA "CORKY" FRENCH INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 19 pages)
Lela "Corky" French was bork June 7, 1939 on the family farm in Philips County, MT.
She and her husband, Bill French (included in the interview), now run French Farms
in Phipips County, a three generational hay farm and cattle ranch operation.
Topics covered in the interview include: 4-H clubs--Philips County (Mont.) ;
Soil conservation--Montana. ; Rural Electric Administration--Montana. ; Bureau of Land
Management--Grazing system. ; Farming--Hay--Montana.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_30: EVA AMUNDSON INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 37 pages)
Eva Amundson was born April 23, 1911 near Langdon, ND. Her great-nephew, Sigurd Jensen,
was involved in the interview. her family ran a dry land farm outside Joplin, MT. In 1930
she married Lief Norman in Hill County, MT.
Topics covered in the interview include: Opportunity Resources. ; Farm
management--Montana--Sexual division of labor. ; Fronteir and pioneer life--Homesteading
--Montana. ; Joplin (Mont.)--Schools. ; Social life and customs--Montana. ; Crop losses--
Montana. ; strip farming. ; Farming--Method & application--Development.
|
2016 |
| OH 2327_31: DONNA GRIFFIN INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 12 pages)
Donna Griffin was raised on a farm in the Chester, MT area. Topics covered in the interview
include: Farming activites--Harvesting. ; Wheat farmers--Montana. ; Grain farmers--Montana. ;
Soil conservation--Montana. ; Farming--Method & application--Development. ;
Challenges--Ranch life.
|
2015 |
| OH 2327_32: JEAN WALDBILLIG INTERVIEW Transcript 35 pages
Jean Waldbillig was born in Nevada and grew up in Philipsberg and Butte. After marriage she
returned to Philipsburg with her husband where she worked as a Registered Nurse at the local
hospital. Interview focuses mainly on the community of Philipsberg from the Great Depression
on to more current times. Topics covered in the interview include: Farm management--Montana--Sexual
division of labor. ; Dairy cattle--Montana. ; Cattle--Montana. ; Social life and customs--Montana.
|
2013 |
| OH 2327_33: MARGARET "PEGGY" FLOERSINGER INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 9 pages)
This interview highlights Margaret Floersinger’s experiences farming and ranching near Conrad,
Montana. The oral history provides fascinating details about Margaret’s early life in England,
her move to Montana after World War II, and her life raising a family in rural Montana.
Margaret’s experiences help provide a much clearer understanding of the important role women have
played in Montana’s agricultural and ranching history.
|
2016 |
| OH 2327_34: ANDREA OLENIK INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 15 pages)
This interview highlights the life experiences of Andrea Olenik, who was 95 years old at the time
of the interview. The oral history covers her formative years growing up in Montana, marriage in
1939, and raising three children on a farm near Hardin, Montana. Andrea’s history covers nearly ten
decades and provides a valuable understanding of the important role women have played in Montana’s
agricultural and ranching history.
|
2016 |
| OH 2327_35: BARB HABETS INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 5 pages)
Barb Habets grew up in Lewistown, MT and began farming in Conrad, MT after marrying her husband.
Topics covered in the interview include: Soil conservation--Montana. ; Farm
management--Montana--Sexual division of labor.
|
2016 |
| OH 2327_36: BONNIE KRONEBUSCH INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 5 pages)
Bonnie Kronebusch was born 1949 in Valier, MT where her family had a farm and eventually
began farming with her husband outside Conrad, MT. Topics covered in the interview
include: Farm management--Montana--Sexual division of labor. ; Social life and customs--Montana. ;
Home and family--Montana. ; Soil conservation--Montana.
|
2016 |
| OH 2327_37: DORIS BISHOP INTERVIEW
1 .wav file(s) (Transcript 6 pages)
This interview highlights Doris Bishop’s experiences farming and ranching near Brady, Montana.
The oral history provides fascinating details about Doris’s childhood living on a homestead in
Montana during the 1930s-1940s and later raising her own family in rural Montana. Doris’s
experiences help provide a much clearer understanding of the important role women have played
in Montana’s agricultural and ranching history.
|
2016 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Families--Montana
- Range management--Montana
- Renewable natural resources--Montana
- Women in agriculture--Montana
Corporate Names
- Montana. Deparment of Natural Resources & Conservation (creator)
Geographical Names
- Big Horn County (Mont.)
- Broadwater County (Mont.)
- Carbon County (Mont.)
- Gallatin County (Mont.)
- Garfield County (Mont.)
- Granite County (Mont.)
- Judith Basin County (Mont.)
- Liberty County (Mont.)
- Madison County (Mont.)
- Meagher County (Mont.)
- Montana
- Musselshell County (Mont.)
- Powell County (Mont.)
- Roosevelt County (Mont.)
- Sanders County (Mont.)
- Stillwater County (Mont.)
- Sweet Grass County (Mont.)
- Toole County (Mont.)
- Wibaux County (Mont.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Oral history
- Sound recordings
Finding aid prepared by Anneliese Warhank,
2015
2015
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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