Join us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Connecting to Place Through Story
Community “open mic” to celebrate the people and landscapes of Petroleum County. At the Petroleum County Community Center.
Enjoy a meal and hear stories from community members (and share your own!) Share a song, an off-the-cuff telling, a poem. Winnett High School students will share their stories inspired by a workshop hosted earlier that day.
Free & Open to the Public
6pm - Doors Open
6:15 - Dinner is Served
6:45 - 8pm - Live Story Sharing
Sourdough Class - Part 2
A follow-up or stand alone to the earlier Sourdough class!
This class touches on: Sourdough Overview, Tips & Tricks, and a Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Tutorial.
Petroleum County Community Center
Hosted by Amanda Hansen, As Much as you Knead Owner/Operator
Reimagining Rural Roadshow - Winnett
October 7th Agenda - Winnett, MT
The 2026 Roadshow roadmap looks a little different from years past. This one-day event will take us to Winnett, where we’ll get an up-close look at the community’s tremendous success in renovating and reimagining important community spaces. Along the way, we’ll hear from the people who made it happen and learn about the partnerships, funding, persistence, and community spirit that helped turn ideas into action.
9-10 AM Check-In & Networking
10:00 AM–12:00 PM Winnett: From Ideas to Action
Welcome & presentation from Winnett ACES
Tour Winnett’s three major renovation projects, 55 Main, the Petroleum County Courthouse, and the County Community Center—and hear the stories behind their transformation, including the partnerships, funding, and community effort that brought each project to life.
12:00–12:45 PM Lunch
12:45–2:00 PM Behind the Projects: How Winnett Made It Happen
Panel discussion featuring the people involved in the morning's tour projects. We’ll explore how the projects started, partnerships, funding, community support, challenges, lessons learned, and what they would do differently.
2:00–2:10 PM Break
2:10–2:50 PM Resources Around the Table: Funding & Partners
Representatives from funding and resource organizations share what they offer rural communities and how communities can work with them. Approximately 10 minutes each.
2:50–3:00 PM From Inspiration to Action
Quick reflection: What is one idea, connection, or resource you're taking home?
3:00 PM Wrap-Up & Adjourn
Landowner Lab Series: Intro to RAP Plant Productivity Software
Open to everyone! Learn how “Rangeland Analysis Platform” (RAP) works, explore its data layers, see examples of how landowners are using it.
RSVP with skylar@winnettaces.org or 406-289-0218
Class at the Petroleum County Community Center, Winnett, MT
Landowner Lab: RAP Small Group Workshops
Registration required, and bring a laptop computer!
6 participants can register each day, either Nov 3 or 4th. Each workshop offers more in-depth discussion and hands-on practice with RAP.
Register with skylar@winnettaces.org or 406-289-0218
Class at the Petroleum County Community Center, Winnett, MT
Landowner Lab: RAP Small Group Workshops
Registration required, and bring a laptop computer!
6 participants can register each day, either Nov 3 or 4th. Each workshop offers more in-depth discussion and hands-on practice with RAP.
Register with skylar@winnettaces.org or 406-289-0218
Class at the Petroleum County Community Center, Winnett, MT
Body Condition Scoring Workshop
Body Condition Scoring Workshop with Rick Caquelin - PCCC, Winnett, MT
Please submit any questions on body scoring ahead of time here » Questions?
Pasture Walk - ACES In Mongolia: Observations on Prairie and Steppe
ACES In Mongolia: Observations on Prairie and Steppe
Indoor “pasture walk” at the PCCC - Taco bar dinner provided
Zoom link: Click here
Bring your curiosity and the whole family!
Questions? Email kendall@winnettaces.org
Diggin In: Eastern Montana Soil Health Discussion
PCCC, Winnett, Montana
Dinner & Snacks Provided
We will be hosting the second annual Digging In event to expand local soil health conversations. We will hear from land owners who are experimenting with grazing, compost, vermicast, and other innovative approaches!
Stick around because just after dinner at 5pm, Kendall will share out her experience and findings from her recent trip to Mongolia where she was able to do soil health work with nomadic herders
55 Main Grand Opening
Celebrating the grand opening of BOTH floors of the historic 55 Main Building, many local community projects, and 10 years of Winnett ACES!
Join us for food, community, live music, and fun!
11:00 am – Pickleball at the PCCC!
Join for casual pick-up games and/or lessons from more experienced players throughout the day.
1:00 pm – Potluck at the PCCC (moved from Flatwillow)
Join for a lunch potluck to learn more about the renovations at Flatwillow Hall
2:00 pm – Activities throughout Winnett
Visit all 12 project locations/booths to complete your souvenir! Ongoing all afternoon.
Winnett School Athletic Field – Bouncy House
55 Main – booths, games, and Punchy Paint specials
Courthouse Tours until 3:00 pm
3:20 – Inflatable Costume Races
at the Winnett School Athletic Field
4:00 – 4:45 – 55 Main Second Floor Apartment Tours
5:00 – Ribbon Cutting on the steps of 55 Main
Live Music until 9:00 pm
Dinner – Get your meal ticket at 55 Main.
Suggested donation to cover food costs
Taco Bar at the Winnett Bar
Melstone Café Steak Sandwiches at the PCCC
6:00 – Carrell Grant Awards at 55 Main
Good Year, Good Check, Good Plan
Ty McDonald, owner of Down Home Financial, will provide insights & strategies to managing seasonal cashflow & ways to invest in your family's future and the future of the operation.
At the Punchy Paint, in Winnett, MT.
Pasture Walk - Virtual Collars Report Back
Virtual Collars: A report back from a rancher’s first year of adoption
Hands-on learning experiences on local ranches in the Winnett area. All are welcome and we carpool from the PCCC in Winnett, MT.
Bring your curiosity and the whole family! The kids will be making s’mores in a solar oven!
Come prepared to walk the prairie.
Questions? Email kendall@winnettaces.org
Prairie Plans & Possibilities
Join us at the Petroleum County Community Center for a business workshop!
Includes:
Starting a Business
Writing a Business Plan & Financial Projections
Loan Programs & General Finanacing
Lunch & Networking
Local Business Owner Panel
Local Lenders, SCORE, and Snowy Mtn. Development
Hosted by the Opportunity Development Co-Op & Winnett Aces
Pasture Walk - Conifer Encroachment
THIS is the new date & time - the original was rescheduled due to wonderful rain.
Local Solutions for Conifer Encroachment & Control
Meet at the PCCC at 1pm to carpool out to public and private examples on Tin Can Hill.
Bring your curiosity and the whole family! Come prepared to walk the prairie.
Questions? Email kendall@winnettaces.org
PCCD Ladies Day on the Range
Join the Petroleum County Conservation District for their annual Ladies Day on the Range event on Tuesday, June 9th.
View the speaker bios here and the detailed agenda here.
RSVP:
RSVP to Trish @ 406.428.8151 or petroleumcd@macdnet.org
Pasture Walk - Conifer Encroachment & Control
Conifer Encroachment & Control - with ACES Conservation Committee
Hands-on learning experiences on local ranches in the Winnett area. All are welcome and we carpool from the 55 Main building in Winnett, MT.
Bring your curiosity and the whole family! Come prepared to walk the prairie.
Questions? Email kendall@winnettaces.org
Pasture Walk - Compost & Vermicast
Compost & Vermicast: How to utilize it on farms and ranches.
Hands-on learning experiences on local ranches in the Winnett area. All are welcome and we carpool from the 55 Main building in Winnett, MT.
Bring your curiosity and the whole family! Come prepared to walk the prairie.
Winnett Times Newsletter Meeting
Winnett Times Newsletter Meeting - Wednesday, April 15 at 4:00 PM - Petroleum County Community Center
Tree Planting Workshop
FREE Workshop on tree planting, pruning and other care.
At the PCCC in Winnett, MT, 1-4pm, April 14, 2026.
RSVPs encouraged but not required.
Respond at link below or email Jennifer@WinnettACES.org
Gather at the Gate - ACES Annual Meeting
Winnett ACES invites you to our annual
Gather at the Gate
An evening to appreciate the many community volunteers and collaborators who come together to get stuff done! Enjoy a social hour, dinner, free childcare, and a dessert auction to benefit Sweet Peas Daycare & 55 Main!
January 14, 2026
5pm Social Hour - No-Host Bar | 6pm Dinner
RSVP to Laura Nowlin at info@winnettaces.org
Dinner is free – but please RSVP for a headcount.
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ACES Board Election: Members will cast a ballot for the Board of Directors. There are 3 open positions. Sig Pugrud, Charlie Ahlgren, and Austin Kiehl are up for re-election. Submit nominations before the January 7, 2026 board meeting. Contact Chris King, Brenda Brady, Craig Iverson, or Paul McKenna.
Musselshell Stream Bank Project Tour
Rowton Mussellshell Stream Bank Project Tour & Conservation Committee Meeting
In-person - December 10, 2025
Contact Desi King with questions or to RSVP - desi@winnettaces.org
Upcoming Regional Events
Red Ants Pants Women's Programming - View upcoming programs here
MT GLC - Grazing Expo - September 10-13, 2026 - Billings, MT - Register here
WSE - Expanding Markets Conference - September 13-15, 2026 - Columbus, MT - View details here - Register here
MWCC - Watershed Tour - From Land to Water: Responsible Practices to Protect Water Quality Across the Columbia River Basin - September 14-18, 2026 - Register here
RSA - Ranching for Profit - Short Course - September 15-16, 2026 - Glasgow, MT - Register here
WSE - Soil Health Field Days with Ray Archuleta & Alejandro Carrillo - September 17-18, 2026 - Wilsall, MT - Register here
MFU - Jason DeShaw: Serenity in the Storm - Whitehall (9/19), Kalispell (9/22) & Havre (9/28) - View event details here
NGPJV - Ranching 101 Webinar Series - Ranching Basics: Types of Operations & Considerations of Livestock Producers - September 21, 2026 - Register here
Integrity Soils - Slow the Flow: Landscape Hydrology & Holistic Planning - September 21-23, 2026 - Paradise Valley, MT - View additional information here
RSA - Soil Health Field Days w/ Ray Archuleta & Alejandro Carrillo - September 28-29, 2026 - Matador Ranch, Dodson, MT - Register here
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MFU - Annual Convention - October 15-18, 2026 - Bozeman, MT - View agenda here
Governor's Summit on Local Food and Agriculture - October 23-24, 2026 - Helena, MT - More details & registration found here
Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show - December 3-5, 2026 - Billings, MT - More details found here