Nate Hylla
Nate Hylla has dedicated 20 years to the field of conservation, a passion that was instilled in him during his childhood growing up near the family farm in the small town of Holdingford, Minnesota. Nate’s early exposure to the importance of conserving natural resources shaped his future career. He pursued his higher education at St. Cloud State University, where he earned a degree in social science.
Throughout his extensive career, Nate has amassed a diverse range of experiences in various aspects of conservation and related fields. His professional journey includes roles in Land Surveying and Engineering, Conservation Education, Real Estate, Conservation Management & Oversight, Conservation Project Implementation, Public Speaking, and the delivery of Easement and Conservation Programs.
Nate’s commitment to conservation extends beyond his professional endeavors. He has served as a lobbyist advocating for conservation programs at both state and national levels. Currently, Nate is a member of the Minnesota NRCS State Technical Committee, where he continues to influence conservation policies and practices.
In addition to his technical and managerial roles, Nate is dedicated to helping organizations develop and refine their mission and vision. He specializes in strategizing and facilitating change, as well as training organizations on effective collaboration with landowners. He currently serves as the CEO for Kanati Land Management, a private conservation company in Avon, Minnesota.
When he’s not working, Nate’s love for the outdoors takes center stage. He enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and more. His personal and professional life are both deeply intertwined with his commitment to the environment and conservation.
Randy Fisher
Randy Fisher was born and raised in Meade, Kansas on a small family livestock farm. He was actively involved in sports, 4-H, church youth organizations, livestock, and rodeo activities during his youth.
After completing one year at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, Mr. Fisher attended Kansas State University on a rodeo scholarship. He graduated from KSU in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a minor in Agricultural Business.
Mr. Fisher began his professional career in the retail commodity brokerage industry in the Flint Hills region near Emporia, Kansas. In 1986, he relocated to Southwest Kansas to assume management responsibilities for commercial cattle feedlots. For the past 35 years, Garden City, Kansas has been his primary residence.
Randy began his career in finance 25 years ago. Currently, he owns and operates Fisher Financial Group, Inc., where he is self-employed as a financial advisor, specializing in estate planning, financial planning, 401(k) plans, and individual retirement plans.
Randy Fisher’s volunteer leadership roles have included serving as past president of the Beef Empire Days PRCA Rodeo and as a judge for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. Additionally, he established a Pro/Celebrity Team Roping Match held in conjunction with local PRCA rodeo events, and co-founded the Journey to the Cross Cowboy Church in 1998. In 2007, his passions for the code of the American West, supporting youth activities, rodeo, and spreading the Gospel, led him to establish Rodeo Bible Camp. This summer marks the sixteenth annual camp held in Finney County.
In 2000, Mr. Fisher was honored with an invitation to perform his original “cowboy” poetry for U.S. Military Troops stationed in Illesheim, Germany.
Today, Randy’s interests include his work, serving in the Cowboy Church ministry, raising and training horses, spending time with his family, golfing, outdoor cooking, and traveling. He and his wife Rhonda have been married for thirty-two years, have five children, and ten grandchildren.
Wally Congdon
Walter E. “Wally” Congdon was born in Racine, Wisconsin on July 5, 1957 to James and Opal (Range) Congdon. The family moved to Missoula in 1961 where he graduated from Hellgate High School in 1975. In 1980, he graduated from the University of Montana, and from there attended the University of Montana Law School, graduating in 1983.
Utilizing his legal expertise, Wally authored all the state and federal law for certified natural and certified grass-fed beef that is in existence today. He also created the template that is used for every right to farm ordinance in Montana. Preservation of Montana’s “dirt roots” is a personal priority to him.
A strong advocate and supporter of Montana Conservation Districts, he served on the Missoula Conservation District for ten years. He was also selected as Supervisor of the Year for Montana Conservations Districts in 1993. He continues to assist and support them whenever and however he can.
While Wally is comfortable in a court room, he prefers a classroom. His love of speaking and imparting knowledge has been the impetus behind his continued teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level. His passion for “Ag” law came out when he taught Agricultural Law as well as Land Use Law and Regulation at the University of Montana School of Law. He teaches Natural Resources-Environmental Law at University of Montana Western in Dillon as well. One of his many writings include “Beef without Guilt,” all about raising beef rather than pounds.
Throughout his life as a lawyer, teacher and rancher, he has been an agricultural advocate. Faithful to our western culture, he stands for land stewardship to ensure our Montana history and resources are preserved for generations to come. Wally still drives horse and ox teams – a significant asset in his effort to get the public to support the field of agriculture.
