Featuring the Murdock and Hammond ranches, this tour offers a chance to learn from the land and the people who know it best.
Malta, Montana — After a much-needed rain delay earlier this month, the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance has announced a new date for the 2025 North Phillips County Ranch Tour: Tuesday, July 1.
Hosted by ranching families in north Phillips County, this full-day event offers opportunities for community connection, hands-on education, and practical conversation rooted in lived experience. Originally scheduled for June 16, the tour has been adjusted to better suit summer weather while maintaining its core purpose and structure.
Participants will depart from the West Side Convenience Store in Malta at 8:15 a.m. and convene at the Hammond/Lien Fossil Site at 9:00 a.m. Full directions and additional details are available at www.ranchstewards.org/events.
The tour is free to attend. A suggested donation of $40 is appreciated to help cover lunch and event costs. Pre-registration is not required but is strongly encouraged to aid in planning.
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance emphasizes peer-to-peer learning in its programming. While the organization frequently brings in technical experts and outside professionals, this event highlights the value of knowledge shared by local producers who know their landscapes inside and out.
“There’s a depth of wisdom that comes from living and working on the land every day,” said Haylie Shipp, Communications Director for the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance. “This tour celebrates that rancher know-how—learning that’s shaped by real-world challenges and a long-term connection to place.”
Meet the Ranch Hosts
The Hammond Ranch Family
Howard and JoAnn Hammond began their ranching journey in 1979 north of Malta, Montana. Their daughter Andrea and son-in-law Wyatt Lien returned in 2007, helping grow the family business into a 37,000-acre operation that supports both livestock and crops. With three generations now calling Phillips County home, the ranch is rooted in family and a long-term vision.
The Murdock Ranch Family
The Murdock Ranch, north of Whitewater, began in the early 1970s when Bill and Jeannette Murdock moved to the Lovejoy Place. Bill’s ingenuity led to a custom irrigation system that laid the groundwork for productive alfalfa-grass fields. Today, the operation is led by their daughter Brenda, with help from her son Cole. Together, they continue a tradition of hands-on family ranching.
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance invites participants to join this year’s tour for a day of shared ideas, meaningful conversations, and a firsthand look at ranching practices that are grounded in stewardship and generational knowledge.
