KGPR Great Falls Public Radio

Letters From a Land of Grass - Hope and the Future of Ag (8-1-2025)

A random email from a stranger who asks if she can visit the ranch will either turn out to be dreadfully boring or energizing. Meriwether Hardie's visit gave me hope for the future of agriculture. It turns out that my porch swing is the perfect setting for discussing the future of farming and ranching with a sympathetic and knowledgeable author.

 

-Lisa

Letters From a Land of Grass - Drought in Our Schools (7-25-2025)

I interseeded a cover crop on half of my alfalfa field in an attempt to improve my soil and its water holding capacity. The alfalfa with the cover crop grew a third higher than the alfalfa alone. I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself. This is just one of the ways I'm attempting to address the root problem of drought. Now, if only we would solve the root problems of failing education.

Letters From a Land of Grass - Plot Twists and Relatives (7-18-2025)

My Southern cousins brought perfect weather for their visit and managed to leave a plot twist when they left. Now, if they would send another inch of moisture her way, I wouldn't complain.

Letters From a Land of Grass - Opinions and Facts (7-11-2025)

I never worry too much about people who have a different opinion from mine, but I resent when they assume their opinion is factual. I have to think that our listeners feel the same way.  Abby and I needed a break from humanity after a hard day at the farmers market so we kayaked on the Missouri with some friends. 

Letters From a Land of Grass - Pondering the Unexplainable (7-4-2025)

I discovered a yearling steer mutilated last weekend. Happy Fourth of July!

Letters From a Land of Grass - Crop Failures (6-27-2025)

Usually, crop failures push me to try something new. I'm not sure what I will do differently after Red Tag 25 has been such a bovine disaster. 

 

-Lisa

Letters From a Land of Grass - Testing Food at Clemson (6-20-2025)

The path from soil to grass to livestock to meat to read-to-eat, shelf-stable meals is arduous, expensive and essential for all of us. I just tested a new path for putting meat and vegetables into ready-to-eat, shelf-stable meals and I didn't kill anyone. I call it a win. 

-Lisa

Letters From a Land of Grass - Celebrations with Food (6-13-2025)

Summertime brings celebrations and no celebration is complete without food. My daughter tried to recreate the Whoop-Up burger, but it just wasn't the same without the rodeo. 

 

-Lonnie

Letters From a Land of Grass - Looking Like 50 (6-6-2025)

Lisa Schmidt's kids helped her celebrate her birthday 10 years ago with a hike to the Bob Marshall Wilderness. This year's birthday begins a different life stage for her.

Letters from a Land of Grass - Spring Cleaning (5-30-2025)

My rock wall was more of a speed bump than a barrier until I pulled the loose rocks away and prepared to repair it. Now it is just a hole. My snack-pack-seeking ram has easy access to my peonies until I rebuild it.

-Lisa