“From Winnett to Washington, D.C.” By: Shaylie Ahlgren (ACES Intern)
Shaylie in front of the Capitol building with a "Go Rams" sign. Divisional basketball tournaments were going on at home, and both the Winnett-Grass Range boys' and girls' teams made it!
In late February, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. with Winnett ACES Executive Director Laura Nowlin as part of a Joint Venture “Fly-In” alongside conservation partners from across North America (Joint Ventures are partnerships that protect and restore habitats for birds and other wildlife across the continent). Representing the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture, we were there to share how conservation efforts are making a real, on-the-ground difference in places like Winnett.
Throughout the week, we met with Montana congressional offices, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. A major focus of those conversations was how conservation funding is not only supporting land stewardship, but also being multiplied through partnerships. Joint Ventures leverage every federal dollar at a 41:1 ratio, meaning the investments stretch far beyond their original scope.
Those meetings gave us the chance to tell our story, both as part of ACES and as producers. We were able to share on a national level how conservation and agriculture work hand in hand here, and how that work supports not just our local economy, but broader conservation goals as well. Representing Winnett and ACES in those conversations was something I was proud to do.
The trip wasn’t all business, though. In addition to our meetings, we played tourist along the Mall and were able to attend Montana Coffee on the top floor of the Hart Senate Office Building. We talked with other Montana constituents and members of Montana’s delegation, including Senator Steve Daines, who even took a photo holding a “Go Rams” sign while both our boys and girls basketball teams were competing at divisionals.
Meeting with Steve Daines' staffer, Jaana Syme.
Pictured from left to right: Shaun Grassel (Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance), Al Eiden (Pheasants Forever), Jaana Syme (Daines' office), Shaylie Ahlgren, Laura Nowlin.
Being in D.C. during the State of the Union address added to the pace of the week. Streets were closed off, security was heightened, and the congressional offices were very busy with everyone in town. Walking through the Capitol, visiting the White House, and seeing historic landmarks and documents was something I had only ever imagined when looking at pictures in history textbooks. To stand in those spaces and know that major decisions shaping our country are made there every day was both humbling and inspiring.
What stood out most, though, was being included in conversations at that level. Moving from meeting to meeting, sitting in rooms with people shaping policy, and walking through those grand halls are experiences I’ll never forget. Seeing firsthand how busy and engaged our elected officials are, and that they still take time to meet with and listen to constituents, gave me a deeper appreciation for the work happening at that level.
This experience sharpened my interest in pursuing agricultural law and policy in the future. After graduating, I plan to attend Montana State University in Bozeman to study Agricultural Business and Political Science, with the goal of going on to law school and working in a field where I can advocate for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
Being able to share our story in Washington, D.C. is something I won’t forget, and I’m grateful to ACES and the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture for making that opportunity possible.
Representative Visit
Shaylie Ahlgren, Sam Havard (staffer with Downing's office), and Laura Nowlin