Trent Setter Award Goes To Box L Farmer Rob Davis

"It was kind of a surprise," Rob Davis said at the New Trends in Ag conference at the Cottonwood Inn on Jan. 14.

He was awarded the Del Strommen Trend Setter Award by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture in front of an audience just over 100. Davis is a farmer with Box L Farms in Larslan. He explained that he grew up farming and ranching and he has hopes to share his passion with future generations.

"Ag is all I've known my entire life; it's a passion of mine," Davis said.

Ryan Fast, chair of the New Trends in Ag committee explained that the award goes towards someone who shows innovation in agriculture and community involvement. He explained that his innovation in crop rotations and his participation in the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA).

Davis grew up in the Bozeman area and went to Montana State University in Havre to get his degree in agricultural operations technology in 2003. He explained that Bozeman was becoming more urbanized around that area. Several farms were selling out and relocating and he said that his family followed. He worked for the Case IH dealership in Havre and his family purchased a farm in Larslan, where he moved and started farming in 2004.

One of the passions that has grown since that time is trying to get younger people more interested in agriculture. "The average age of the farmer is in the mid-50s and that age always goes up," Davis said.

He decided to step into leadership and help with the future of agriculture. This is when he was elected to the board of the MGGA. He also sat on the planning committee for the Young Ag Leadership Conference held annually in Montana. He's now serving as the vice president for the MGGA. He said that he still is looking for ways to get youth more involved.

"The younger people bring in fresh ideas to the industry," Davis said. "No one has pinned down yet on how to get younger people involved yet."

The family operation has grown and expanded. While he grew up around wheat and barely, he's rotated several other crops. He's produced spring wheat, durum, malting barley, peas, chickpeas, flax and canola.

"There's no where to go but up," Davis said at the event.

Fast said that the committee meets three to four times over the year and they look at several nominations and they discuss and narrow down the choice. He said Valley County Extension agent Shelley Mills plays a huge role in not only organizing the event, but knowing those in the ag industry locally.