Five generations of Piersons have ranched in Montana since the mid 1890’s. Today, they carry on the tradition at Highland Livestock, their family owned ranch east of Livingston, MT.
The Producer Partnership Board of Directors is made up of dedicated volunteers who have partnered with us to help end hunger in Montana.
Matt Pierson is a 5th generation Montana Rancher located in beautiful Livingston, Montana. Growing up in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains instilled in Matt a love for the outdoors and an understanding of what it takes to be the next generation in charge of preserving our heritage. After graduating from Montana State University with an Animal Science degree, Matt and his wife Kris moved back to Livingston to start their lives together. Along with their sons Jakob and Nik, they run the family ranch, Highland Livestock Co.
Matt has been a part of the local youth soccer program for much of his life. First as a player, then as a board member, Director of Coaches, and finally the Current President of LYSA. An extremely rewarding coaching career has spanned 25 years, the last five of which found him the Head Coach for the Park High School Girls Varsity.
During his career, Matt has served on Boards for Park County Stockgrowers, Trout Unlimited Joe Brooks Chapter, Springdale School Board, and Livingston Youth Soccer. All these experiences have allowed Matt to learn, grow, and give back to his community at the same time.
As the founder and President of Producer Partnership, Matt is excited to see what can be accomplished. The ability for producers to give back and change the perception of landowners is near and dear to his heart. Being able to help an entire state is an exciting challenge, and one he is ready to take on.
Founder & President: MATT PIERSON
The Story Behind
Producer Partnership
Unfortunately, food insecurity is a real and growing problem, even in Rural America. The good news is that more people including farmers and ranchers are stepping up to help. The Producer Partnership in Livingston is helping to end hunger in Montana by delivering nutritious meat to food banks across Big Sky Country.
For nearly 20 years, Jess Peterson has bridged our nation’s Capital with rural America by managing agricultural, natural resource, and rural development policies through the policy firm Western Skies Strategies (WSS). He and his team staff several national agriculture organizations, notably the US Cattlemen’s Association and the Society for Range Management.
WSS also assists NGOs, ranchers, land managers, investors, telecommunications and energy companies navigate the local, state and federal process.
He balances this work with his family’s cow-calf operation, maintaining summer leases and wintering headquarters near Billings with his wife, Laura, two daughters, and parents – Lyle and Karla. Jess is an alumnus of Gonzaga University and Miles City Community College and serves on the Billings Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Montana Land Reliance Future Montana Committee.
Vice President: JESS PETERSON
Scott Kesler is Branch Manager and Relationship Manager at AgWest (Formerly Northwest Farm Credit Services), an agriculture and agri-business-focused financial institution that provides financial products, services, and advisement.Scott works with clients to develop funding strategies to finance land acquisition, operations, capital expenditure, and investment. His clients include farmers, ranchers, loggers, timber owners, food processors, and others that are engaged in agriculture based business located in Montana and the Western U.S. He also manages the Missoula Branch, which services northwestern Montana. In addition to these duties, he is also focused on being an advocate for the well-being and growth of the agriculture industry and rural Montana economy.
Scott grew up on his family's ranch near Choteau, Montana, the Flying U Ranch, where his family continues to operate a cow/calf, hay, and small grains operation. He received his education at the University of Montana, receiving degrees in Finance and Geography and has since worked in the finance industry in Idaho and Montana. Scott currently serves on the board of directors at Montana Food Bank Network and on the advisory committee for Missoula County Public Schools AgEd/FFA program. He is also a graduate of Leadership Missoula and Leadership Montana and is active in the Missoula Chamber of Commerce and Stockgrowers. In the past he has served on United Way of Treasure Valley’s Vision Counsel and as the VP of the Idaho AGC Associates Committee.
Scott enjoys the outdoors, ranch work, history, traveling, and has a great appreciation for the State of Montana and its Ag producers who work very hard to feed the world. He is very excited about Producer Partnership’s vision and helping the organization meet its goals and fulfill it’s mission.
Treasurer: SCOTT KESLER
Secretary: ANNE BUCKLEY
Anne Buckley relocated to Park County, Montana in 2018 where she manages a ranch with her husband Reid. Anne’s professional and volunteer career has been chiefly in the nonprofit sector, focusing on education, governance, and funding, but has also included work ranging from international business to supporting small farms with their direct-to-consumer distribution. In addition to the Producer Partnership, Anne is on the Park County Planning board and an active member of the Park County Weed Management Area Board.
Anne received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University, and graduate degrees from UCLA and Yale University.
TO “GET ANNE’S LOOK,” YOU CAN PURCHASE HER BEANIE BY VISITING OUR SHOP
Founding Board Member: KRIS PIERSON
Kris Pierson was born in Billings and raised in Laurel, Montana. Although she and her family moved to town once she began school, she spent her early years on the family ranch around cows, sheep, and horses. Kris spent many weekends visiting her grandfather’s various ranches watching and learning about agriculture. It was at one of these ranches that she met her future husband, Matt. Kris graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Montana State University-Bozeman. She has worked as a Registered Nurse in a variety of roles in Livingston since.
Kris is currently a board member of the Park County Board of Health and is the Secretary of the Park High Booster Club. She and her husband Matt — along with their sons, Jakob and Nik — operate the family ranch, Highland Livestock. Kris enjoys skiing, travelling to her son’s soccer games, and taking road trips as time allows. She is proud of the work of the Producer Partnership and excited to be helping end hunger issues in Montana.
Coby was the manager of Planet Natural Garden Supply and ran a crew of up to 15 people. He managed a 10-person crew at Yellowstone Wild Game Processing, and was the head meat cutter. Coby has done mobile slaughter for domestic livestock and domestic butchering.
plant manager: coby richins
Jeri is a native Montanan currently residing in Frenchtown and Hall. She studied at the University of Montana for her dual degree in Sociology and Communications, and even went back to earn her certificate of Non-Profit Administration/Management. She loves to be actively involved in her community and chairs the West Valley Community Council and the Frenchtown Smurfit-Stone Community Advisory Group. She also serves as the media representative for the Frenchtown Community Coalition, on the board for 4H Council, Childstart, Drummond Kiwanis, and that is just to name a few. With her whole heart, Jeri has worked throughout her career to bring awareness and raise millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations, determined to make a difference.
PROGRAM MANAGER: JERI DELYS
After 25 years as a schoolteacher, Susan changed career paths and is the office manager for the Producer Partnership. Susan was drawn to the organization because as an educator, many of her students were facing food insecurity and she witnessed firsthand, how this affected their ability to learn and thrive in the school system. Susan stays busy with her 16 goats, 5 dogs, and 2 cats on the property she purchased in the Livingston area 11 years ago. Susan includes cooking, baking, and DIY projects as her favorite hobbies.