Lessons Learned In Eastern Montana Leads Prevost To Leadership Role

Growing up on a farm/ ranch in eastern Montana, agriculture has always been an important part of Rachel Prevost’s life. Now, she holds a top position in one of the state’s strongest agriculture organizations.

Prevost, who started duties as the executive director for the Montana Farmers Union in October, was raised near Lambert. Her parents, and now her older brother, grow barley, wheat and safflower along as having beef cattle at the location.

“I helped as much as I could growing up,” Prevost remembers.

Her roots in agriculture became deeper as she grew up in the area. She was a member of Richland County’s 4-H program for 10 years and went on to become involved in Lambert’s FFA program.

She remembers having a market beef at the fair for nine years and a market lamb for 10 years. Highlights included winning the senior beef showmanship grand champion award in her last year.

Prevost explains that leadership skills developed in both the FFA and the school’s Business Professionals of America program have benefited her now for many years.

“The great thing about the BPA program is that it’s really focused on skills development,” Prevost noted.

Her honors included qualifying for finals at the national BPA conference for public speaking.

She thanks Lambert’s BPA advisor Becky Carda and FFA advisor Trish Verschoot for being positive influences for her through those experiences.

“The skills I learned in BPA, 4-H and FFA, I still use today,” Prevost said. “I’m really lucky to have gone to a rural school.”

In addition, Prevost took advantage of the activities offered at a small school by competing in four sports, performing for the high school band and being part of the drama program.

“I tried to be as involved as possible, and I think that’s important,” Prevost said.

She urges current students to make sure their are part of their communities and being “a part of something bigger than yourself.”

After high school, Prevost attended Carroll College where she earned a triple major. She also worked for the school’s newspaper for about two years.

Her major in political science helped her when she became a lobbyist for Montana Farmers Union during the Montana’s 2021 Legislative session. Key issues included Made in Montana beef labeling and the right to repair bills. She said discussion on the right to repair bill was important and is still continuing at the state and national levels.

“It opened the doors for some great conversations,” Prevost said.

After that session, she received the opportunity to be Farmers Union’s assistant youth camp director. Topics at the camp include agriculture education, leadership education and cooperative information. Activities focus on camping and hiking.

Prevost noted that Montana Farmers Union is founded on the three pillars of Cooperation, Education and Legislation.

After 2021, Prevost started duties for the grassroots organization’s membership services and government affairs. She explains the Ambassadors program was started in the spring of 2022, and the eight Ambassadors provide education and resources for producers throughout the state at the local level. There is a strong partnership of the program with 4-H and FFA.

After being selected Montana Farmers Union’s executive director in October, Prevost is honored to serve in the capacity for an organization that has been in existence for 110 years.

She feels right at home talking to agriculture producers throughout the state. After all, they seem like part of the family to her.

“I’ve meet the coolest people in this job,” Prevost said. “It’s very rewarding working with ag producers.”