KGPR Great Falls Public Radio

Letters from a Land of Grass - Warm Dry Winter (1-16-2026)

The weather is so warm that sometimes I forget to wear a coat when I feed my sheep and cattle. 

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - More than the Money (1-9-2026)

Money isn't enough to keep an entrepreneur going during hard times. Fortunately, ranchers know life can be fun when our basic needs are met. 

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - Progress and the New Year (1-2-2026)

Once the cows and sheep were fed, watered and warm, I had a chance to review my year. Then I looked at my list of 2025 improvement projects, crossed out 2025 and added 2026. 

 

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - Forces of Nature (12-26-2025)

This past week has been full of contrasts. When gravel shattered my truck topper window, I decided maybe I should pay attention to Nature's messages. Her next message brought peace. I was glad I listened.

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - Truckers (12-19-2025)

Ranchers are used to solving problems on the fly and, fortunately, so are my go-to helpers. In spite of a few complications, we managed to slide boiler pieces that were too tall and too heavy 50 feet through a door and to their permanent home.

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - Getting out of a Snowdrift (12-12-2025)

My sheep didn't understand what all the fuss was about when the weather turned cold and snowy, but driving became a challenge. Our forecast tells me maybe I should make wiser decisions that won't land me in a snowdrift.

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - A Holiday Fable (12-5-2025)

Some prefer to celebrate with darkness and silence while others celebrate with decorations, gifts and rich food. 

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - Backward Planning for a Water Line (11-21-1025)

Paperwork is not my forte, but when a complicated project requires it, I force myself to sit at the table and get it done.  

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - Shopping Season (11-14-2025)

I'm a terrible shopper. I'm impatient, critical and generally grumpy about looking at options for things I need. However, shopping for bulls is kind of fun. 

-Lisa

Letters from a Land of Grass - Connie and a Paradigm Shift (11-7-2025)

As much as I am proud of little Bernadette for raising a nice heifer calf, my customers want beef, not live animals. Connie Hatfield, a prickly, exacting innovative rancher taught me to provide what customers ask for. 

-Lisa