ACES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Laura is a wife and mother of two, working, living, and playing on a little piece of paradise in central Montana, north of the town of Winnett. Laura attended Montana State University earning a bachelor’s degree in History before attending graduate school at the University of Oregon where she received a master’s degree in Historic Preservation. Laura and her husband, Levi, now run a cow-calf operation on her family’s ranch. She is a founding member of Winnett ACES and currently works as the Executive Director.

CONSERVATION PROGRAMS MANAGER

Desi is originally from a ranching family in Nevada but has made Montana her home since 2019. She attended the University of Montana - Western in Dillon earning a bachelor's degree with an emphasis on sustainable natural resource management. After graduation, she returned to Nevada and served as the Executive Director of Nevada Cattlemen's Association, working with other natural resource industries to find common ground and improve greater sage grouse habitat. Interested in the law, Desi left Nevada Cattlemen's Association to pursue her law degree. Following law school, she practiced law in Billings before returning to collaborating with partners and local landowners to implement conservation and restoration efforts. She is passionate about working with partners that share the vision of stewardship and sustainability built through local communities.  Desi and her fiancé, J., live on his family's ranch in Winnett and are excited to welcome their first child this summer.

LAND HEALTH SPECIALIST

Kendall is dedicated to advancing on-ranch innovation and experimentation by providing education on regenerative practices and soil health principles. Holding a Master's degree in Environmental Science, Kendall has honed her soil health expertise through Nicole Masters' prestigious CREATE Program she completed in 2022. Currently in her third year with Winnett ACES, Kendall spearheads the ACES Soil Health Program, collaborating closely with ranchers in central Montana. Her role involves guidance in adopting regenerative soil health practices through comprehensive soil mineral and biological testing and strategic planning. Kendall's unwavering commitment is centered on empowering ranchers to nurture their curiosity and enhannce their most vital asset—their soil.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Jennifer is originally from Grass Range, Montana and moved to the Winnett area in 2019 with her husband, Jace. She attended Montana State University Bozeman earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education with a minor in animal science. Following graduation, she pursued a career with Montana State University Extension as the Agent in Musselshell and Golden Valley Counties. She provided education in the areas of agriculture, 4-H/Youth development, family and consumer science, and community vitality. During her time with MSU Extension, she completed her master’s degree in agricultural education in fall of 2022. She and her husband have a son, RM (Ronald Michael) Solf. She has collaborated with several different groups and looks forward to becoming more established with partners of Winnett ACES to provide further education and outreach opportunities.

FISCAL MANAGER

Katie Lund and her husband, JR, along with their five (yes, 5!!) children run a registered, Black Angus operation east of Winnett. Being first generation ranchers, they have a deep appreciation of the land and the incredible value of raising their children in the dirt and showing them the value of hard work and constant perseverance. Katie grew up in eastern Montana and went onto the University of Montana, then transferring to the University of Montana-Western earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting. In her "free" time, she is an avid walleye fisherman, enjoys snaring coyotes and loves the mountains, but, there is no greater love than her family, faith and growing herds of various farm animals.