A dedicated member of the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program, Cady has already made a meaningful impact in the Dillon community through agricultural education and outreach. Now, she’s preparing to expand her leadership and advocacy work by engaging with Farm Bureau professionals and members from across the country.
“YF&R has given me a whole new sense of self,” Cady said. “It’s allowed me to meet people in our Dillon community and all over the country. I’ve learned so much, made incredible memories, and developed skills that I’ll carry with me into my career.”
At UMW, the YF&R collegiate chapter is a vibrant part of campus life. Students organize food drives, lead educational outreach in local elementary schools, and connect peers with professionals in agriculture. The group’s mission goes beyond leadership development—they help students feel rooted in both Dillon and the broader agriculture community.
The path to this prestigious internship began early in Cady’s college career. “Olie told me I should come to a meeting my first week at Western,” she explained, referring to club advisor Iola “Olie” Else. “I was really active in 4-H and FFA, and YF&R felt like the perfect next step. It gave me a place to continue growing and learning with people who share my passion for agriculture.”
Now, as the chapter president, Cady plays a bigger role than ever—and she’s excited to bring what she learns this summer back to Montana.
“I hope to learn about recruitment, retention, and how national programs operate. I want to bring that knowledge home to benefit MT Farm Bureau and UMW,” she said.
Support from both the Montana Farm Bureau and Montana Western helped make the internship possible. “My involvement with YF&R connected me with MT Farm Bureau staff who encouraged me to apply,” Cady said. “Olie helped every step of the way—with my resume, application, cover letter, and interview.”
For those interested in getting involved with YF&R, the group hosts a meeting every academic block and frequently shares updates on Instagram (@umw_yfandr) and through the Bulldog Bulletin. Community members can also get connected through their local or state Farm Bureau offices, or by reaching out directly to club advisor Iola “Olie” Else at iola.else@umwestern.edu.
Stay tuned for a follow-up article toward the end of the summer, where Cady will share insights from her internship experience in Washington, D.C., and how she plans to bring what she’s learned back to Montana Western.
From local outreach to national leadership, Cady Brown’s journey shows what’s possible with passion, dedication, and hard work.
