Senator Jeff Welborn (SD-36) from Dillon and Representative Walt Sales (HD-69) from Manhattan received the Friend of Farm Bureau Award during Montana Farm Bureau’s Summer Conference June 6-8 in Fairmont Hot Springs. This award is given to the Senator and Representative who had the highest overall scores on MFBF’s legislative scorecard; these legislators demonstrated their support of Montana agriculture through their voting record, bill sponsorship and leadership with various committees.

Senator Welborn is no stranger to Farm Bureau, having served as Southwest Counties Farm Bureau president and as the MFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Chair for several years. The Dillon rancher and trailer salesman scored over 100 percent on the MFBF report card, earning bonus points for sponsoring key bills. He served on committees important to agriculture including Fish & Game, Natural Resources and Finance and Claims.

Representative Walt Sales was a freshman legislator, but jumped in and made a positive splash in the agricultural world this session. He brought a wealth of knowledge about water law, which served him and his constituents, as well as the senior water right holders in the rest of the state, as well. He served on the Agriculture, Human Services and State Administration Committees.

Farm Bureau appreciates these legislators for their commitment to agriculture,” said MFBF President Hans McPherson. “Their voting records show they can cross the aisle to work on legislation beneficial to farmers and ranchers. These awards reflect more than just a voting record. The award indicates a willingness to work with agricultural people on a variety of issues, take leadership in committees, and work in the halls of the Capitol. Farm Bureau thanks Senator Welborn and Representative Walt Sales for their hard work and time dedicated to our legislature in Helena.”