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RENDEZVOUS

A Rancher's Perspective

by Lee & Gayla Skaw of Drummond (Montana) Community Church

Greetings from the Open Cross Ranch. We know a lot of Mission folks, but for you who don't know us I'll include a little introduction. We live in Hall, Montana, where we run the cattle ranch started in the early 1900s by Gayla's Granddad Charlie Anderson. We have two children, David (21), a logger, and Jolene (18) who is an Agriculture Business Major in Glendive.

We want to report on the STEER Program from the eyes of a producer. We got involved with the program two years ago when we were contacted by STEER representative Scott Ambo from the Lone Pine area. Scott used STEER money to purchase two young cows and deliver them to our ranch.

In the fall when our calves (including these two) are sold, we are to send the money from the two STEER calves to STEER, Inc. with a designation of the mission we want to support. There is no paperwork hassle--none whatsoever. STEER sends the money to the designated mission. The cost to the producer amounts to the maintenance of the livestock he has agreed to run. The cattle are insured against death loss so if one dies, it will be replaced--at no cost to the producer!

This year calf prices are up so the amount of our STEER check should be somewhere around $1100 for two calves. As you can see, a small number of producers could generate a large amount of support.

When we hear of the sacrifices that missionaries make every day, it makes us glad to be part of the STEER program as part of our service to God.

For further information on STEER, please contact (e-mail) Jim Parks at the RMBM office (406) 532-1565.