Fergus Electric, the Swanz family ranch and Snowy Mountain Cattle

Member Newsletter u Fergus Electric Cooperative, Inc., Lewistown, MT u www.ferguselectric.coop
Fergus Electric, the Swanz family ranch and Snowy
Mountain Cattle Company are good places to be
guests and a feedlot operation. The Swanz family
Story by
ranching heritage spans
Cathy Moser
five generations. It was
originally seeded near
ason Swanz honors
Billings. Grover
two former directors
Cleveland, the 22nd presithrough his service
dent who served from
on the Fergus Electric
1885 to 1889, signed the
Cooperative Board of
land deed for the Swanz
Directors. The first is Joe
forefather who carved out
Pirrie, a neighbor of
a ranch from stretches of
Jason’s, who had a hand
Montana prairie. That
in convincing Jason to
founding property is still
run for the District 6 seat
owned by members of an
Joe had held for 40 years.
extended Swanz family.
“It was an honor that he
With the passage of the
asked me to take over his
19th and 20th centuries,
seat,” Jason says. The
Jason and Jody Swanz have ridden horseback with their sons
Swanz family ranching
second is Jack Hannah,
Jackson, astride Spider (left), and Jacob, astride Doc (right) since
operations prospered and
Jason’s grandfather, who the boys were the age of three.
its heritage spread northalso served as a director
ward. They are among the
for many years. “Grandpa
earliest cattle ranching
spoke highly of Fergus Electric,” Jason bers are wondering about the new con- families in central Montana. Jason’s
recalls. “I thought serving on the board tract with Basin Electric Power
father and mother, John and Linda,
would be a neat legacy.” Now with six Cooperative, and whether the new con- grew up on central Montana outfits
tract
will
increase
rates.”
Whether
the
years of board membership under his
owned and operated by their families.
belt, Jason is also complimentary of the concern is rates or something else, he
They
purchased the Swanz Ranch propencourages FEC members to contact
organization he serves. “FEC is a well
erty
in
1969.
him with questions or comments about
managed, quality company,” he says.
John and Linda’s residence is just
their
co-op.
Jason
is
also
upbeat
about
For a good part of those six years,
down the road from that of Jason, Jody
Jason, alongside fellow board members continuing a professional relationship
and
the boys. John enthusiastically
with FEC employees, many of who
and FEC employees, invested weeks
teaches
his grandsons about aspects of a
have spent their entire careers at FEC.
and months of his time successfully
ranching lifestyle. When Jackson turned
“Working
with
all
the
people
at
Fergus
resolving the Southern Montana
6, John swung the child onto a tractor
Electric bankruptcy. “It is finally com- Electric is a privilege,” he says, and he seat and taught him how to start and
ing to an end this month (June),” Jason can appreciate their desire for wanting
operate the machine. The same scenario
to stay in an all-around good place.
says. “It made for an interesting few
played when Jacob turned 6. “I can’t
At
his
own
all-around
good
place,
the
years. We got through it, and now we’re
imagine
raising kids any other way,”
Swanz Ranch in the picturesque Big
gladly back to regular business.”
says
Jody.
“We all love the ranching
Jason’s third three-year term began in Snowy Mountains foothills east of
lifestyle.
We’re
rarely more than 10
Judith Gap, Jason and his wife, Jody,
June. He says he looks forward to
miles from the place.” John and Linda
and
their
two
boys
Jackson,
11,
and
addressing new issues. “In a normal
have turned the reins over to Jason and
Jacob, 9, fill their long summer days
year, the usual topic of conversation is
Continued on page 5
rates,” Jason explains. “I’m sure mem- with land stewardship, cattle, ranch
J
August 2016
3
Employees and
trustees honored
From Scott Sweeney
Annual Meeting –
Saturday vs. Thursday
The attendance of co-op members at
the 2016 annual meeting was less than
in previous years. A total of 122 members registered at the annual meeting
this year, compared to 158 members in
2015, and 176 members in 2014. This
year was the first in many, many years
that the co-op held its annual meeting
on a Saturday. It is difficult to determine whether there were fewer members in attendance due to scheduling
conflicts or whether members were
busy working to clean up the damage
that resulted from the severe microburst
that hit central Montana on June 10.
During the June 23rd board meeting,
discussion included annual meeting
attendance and the pros and cons of
having the co-op’s annual meeting on a
Saturday versus the traditional
Thursday. Saturdays in June are particularly busy days for everyone, it seems.
There could be some years when a
Saturday meeting might work better for
a few members to attend, however there
are a number of you who will make
every effort to attend regardless of
which day of the week the meeting is
held, and the co-op appreciates and sincerely thanks you for your continued
support and loyalty!
In the end, the board approved a
motion to return to a Thursday format
for future annual meetings. If you usually attend the annual meeting, thank
you. If you occasionally or seldom
attend, we encourage you to make plans
to attend the next annual meeting of the
membership, which is scheduled for
Thursday, June 8, 2017.
Co-op and its members
hit hard by storm
Fergus Electric Co-op’s line crews
have replaced a total of 14 transmission
poles and 23 distribution poles, which
were broken during the microburst that
hit parts of our service area the evening
of June 10. The majority of the damage
was in the areas west and east of Roy
and north of Winnett, but there were
4
poles lost in the Denton and Winifred
areas as well.
The storm came through fast and
furious, and served as an unsettling
reminder of just how powerful weather
can be in our area. Our hearts and
prayers go out to those of you who suffered any loss or damage during the
storm. It’s pretty difficult to prepare for
a storm of that nature!
Surge protection
As a result of the power outages
caused by the storms we had in May
and June, the co-op has received more
inquiries about surge protection. Now is
a good time to discuss surge protection
and remind our members that summer
thunderstorms produce lightning, which
can cause power surges on powerlines
that ultimately could travel into your
home, potentially damaging your electrical equipment. The best way to prevent damage to electrical equipment,
i.e., computers, TVs, electric motors,
refrigerators, freezers, stoves, washing
machines, dryers, etc. is to install surge
arresters. Fergus Electric has a couple
of different surge arresters, which you
can purchase and have installed by the
cooperative or your electrician.
I recommend installing surge
arresters at your house, irrigation pump
or any service. If you are considering
installing surge protection for your
electric equipment, please call our line
superintendent, Dale Rikala at 406-5383465 for more information.
A
t Fergus Electric’s annual
meeting Vice President David
Dover recognized the following trustees and employees for providing a total of 67 years of service
to the cooperative. Bob Evans was
honored for his leadership as a member of the Fergus Electric board for
31 years, 10 of which have been as
president. Jason Swanz, one of the
newer trustees, follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Jack
Hannah, with six years of service to
the co-op. Senior Billing Clerk Susan
Hinkley was recognized for her 25year career at Fergus Electric and
Mark Schwomeyer just completed
five years as a journeyman lineman.
Mark Schwomeyer
Bob Evans
Susan Hinkley
Jason Swanz
Identify Account Number*
Win a $32.50 credit
If one of the following account numbers is yours, call Fergus Electric (406538-3465) and identify yourself and your account number.
Account 320273
Account 150370
Account 264851
Account 395077
Account 394625
You will receive a $32.50 credit on next month’s statement.
*Numbers are drawn randomly.
RuRAl MontAnA
Swanz
Continued from page 3
Jody for the day-to-day operations.
Since doing so, they’ve become
increasingly involved in community
service, including representing the
interests of the livestock industry.
Jason met Jody, who is originally
from Big Sandy, at Montana State
University, where they were students.
After she earned a degree in nursing,
she worked for a time as a nurse in
Billings. She describes their marriage as
“14 lovely years.” As ranch work goes,
she does “a little bit of everything.” For
the fourth straight summer, and together
with Working Ranch Vacations (WRV),
Jody is managing guest bookings for
the Swanz Ranch, or Snowy Mountain
Cattle Company as it is known on the
WRV website.
Snowy Mountain Cattle Company is
Contact Jason:
Phone: 406-473-2462
Email: swanzranch@gmail.com
Visit: http://montanaworkingranches.
com/ranches/snowy-mountain-cattle/
W
Situated in the southern foothills of the Big Snowy Mountains, the Swanz Ranch is
a good place to raise children and cattle, and to host adventuresome vacationers.
Photo by Cathy Moser.
a second home of sorts for guests wanting to see the American West and who
are curious about ranch operations and
lifestyles. The guests, who include
world travelers, explore Big Snowy
Mountain foothills country on the back
of a horse, or they might help the
Swanz family move strings of Angus
cows or assist with other daily routines.
All cattle work is done on horseback in
keeping with the adage “the only way
Youth Tour: A future power source
riting an essay
issue. Ally said, “I enjoy
under the theme,
politics and spend a lot
“Considering
of time paying attention
your top three consumer
to the political arena.”
needs, how do you
The kids were encourbelieve we, as an electric
aged to push the “Cocooperative, can best
ops Vote” message to
communicate our care and
friends and family back
concern to the younger
home.
members of the cooperaWhen asked what she
tive?” entitled Ally Martin
learned about the rural
to represent Fergus
electrification program,
Electric Cooperative in
Ally said, “Our rural
the National Rural
families (like mine) have
Electric Cooperative
benefited greatly
Ally Martin points to the
Association Youth Tour
through this program. I
Billings Gazette, which is
to Washington, D.C.
have a new appreciation
displayed at the Newseum in for how we receive
Politicians want to
Washington, D.C. It is part dependable, costhear from youth.
of a daily collection of news- effective power on our
Although, most Youth
papers that adorn the front ranch. Also, I learned
Tour delegates (1,700)
of the museum from all 50
are not of age to vote,
what co-ops have to
states and around the globe. offer to both youth and
they were told by
speakers that their
adults.”
voices still matter.
Ally’s favorite place to
Because you are a future power
visit was Capitol Hill. This group of
source and because you can create
buildings was especially meaningful
change, the delegates were encouraged because I was able to put a face on
to get involved in any kind of policy or many references I hear every day —
August 2016
to work cattle fast is slow.” Spending
time with American and foreign visitors
who share stories about lifestyles in
places unfamiliar to the Swanzes is,
according to Jody, “especially good for
the boys.” There are also repeat guests.
They too, not unlike the Swanz family
and FEC employees, recognize a good
place to be.
“Congress passed this…,” “The House
Reps are…”, “Back in Washington…,”
etc. Also, she thinks everyone should
see the Changing of the Guards at
Arlington National Cemetery.
Ally will be a senior at Harlowton
High School this fall. Her parents are
Fergus Electric members Craig and
Tonya Martin of Two Dot.
Grass Range
Wranglers Perform
Fergus Electric members Margie and
Harold Matovich and John Wehren
entertained at Fergus Electric’s 78th
annual meeting.
5
U
Annual Meeting Highlights
Photos by Vangie McConnell
ncontested, Paul Descheemaeker were unable to attend as they were
and Jason Swanz were returned restoring power and replacing poles.
to the board. Despite tornadoes President Bob Evans and Manager
in the Roy, Winifred and Winnett areas Scott Sweeney reviewed the past year’s
the day before the June 11 meeting, 122 accomplishments. Ten $1,000 scholarmembers and 121 guests joined the
ships were awarded to students in attenoffice staff and trustees to conduct the
dance, and Megan Bergum of Roy won
business of the cooperative. Linemen
the bicycle.
Vocalist Hannah Clemenson of Roy
entertained prior to the meeting and
then kicked off the annual meeting by
singing the national anthem.
Cathy Schaeffer of Women
Involved in Farm Economics
(WIFE), served coffee.
Leah Negaard (l) and her sister Jael are
about to enjoy lunch prepared by WIFE.
LEWISTOWN, MT
Your Touchstone Energy® Partner
FoR outAgEs
First: Check the fuses or breakers in the
building in which the electricity is off.
second: Check the breaker below the meter.
third: If electricity is still out, call a neighbor to
see if they have electricity.
Fourth: Call 406-538-3465 day or night or:
Dale Rikala ................................406-535-5192
Guy Johnson ..............................406-366-9170
Scott Sweeney............................406-538-7218
Don Criswell (Roundup) ............406-366-3465
Monte Obert................................406-425-1288
FERgus ElECtRIC
CooPERAtIVE, InC.
Trustee Brad Arntzen and daughter Aleia join The grand prize of a $500 electric
John and Sally McBurney of Hilger for the
credit was won by Ryan
beef/pork meal.
Osmundson of Buffalo.
84423 us Hwy. 87, lewistown, Mt 59457-2058
tel: 406-538-3465
office Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. M-F
Website: www.ferguselectric.coop
E-mail: ferguselectric@ferguselectric.coop
scott sweeney....................general Manager
Dale Rikala ................operations supervisor
sally Horacek ........................office Manager
Vangie McConnell ................................Editor
Fergus Electric is an equal opportunity provider
and employer.
BoARD oF DIRECtoRs
“Luck of the Draw” scholarship winners were (L to R): Hailey Zinne from
Ryegate, Ashley Wickens of Lewistown, Whitney Weeden of Lewistown, Nora
Weichel of Lewistown, Anthony Hoffer from Moore, Yemi Melton from Denton,
Chase Gerer from Denton, Katarina Goettlich from Hilger, Hayley Siroky from
Roy and Danielle Birdwell of Lewistown.
6
District 1: Paul Descheemaeker,
Lewistown, 428-2417
District 2: David Dover, Vice President,
Buffalo, 374-2315
District 3: Brad Arntzen, Hilger, 462-5555
District 4: Mike Vlastelic, Grass Range,
428-2160
District 5: Terry Frost, Sec./Treas.,
Roundup, 323-3415
District 6: Jason Swanz, Judith Gap, 473-2462
District 7: Bob Evans, Jr., President,
Geyser, 735-4476
Fergus Features is an award-winning
newsletter.
RuRAl MontAnA