Adios Apples, hello Montana

[illflem]

The advantages of typeing your posts on Outlook Express, this didn't get eaten with everything in the crash.

After working and searching for five months I have my money pit orchard leased optioned out and just landed a job in Montana today. The job is excellent, I still get to farm, which I love, but don't need to worry about making money, the farm's only products are insects, information and graduates(JG). Will be going to work for Montana State University Western Ag Research Center, 35 miles south of Missoula, government job with all the benifits. Will be Farm Manager/Ag Research Specialist, main duties will be to make things look good and make sure everything works so that the researchers only have to research. Main crop, this will crack you up if you know the plant, is knapweed. It is being raised to provide food for insects that kill it, the insects are then collected and spread throughout Montana. Much other research is also going on mainly with organic agriculture.

This is almost a dream for me. I have long since sadly realized that due to the new global marketplace that farming is dieing in this country, along with jobs in manufacturing. I will now be a part of what this country seems to going to - research & development and providing information.
Not bad for a 54 year old dirt bagger who learned how to type on the TDR, ehh? I can finally post on Whatcha do for a living?

 

[illflem]

Here goes something different lets see what happens.


Joe G.
Member
Posts: 1466
From:Eureka, CA, USA
Registered: Aug 1999
posted 05-23-2001 06:42 PM
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Congrats on the job, Bill! That sounds like a winner. The other product they produce is graduates. Some of the profs tend to forget that. I worked at Humboldt State for quite a while. Enjoy!!!
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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver, KDP 160,000-NM-WT Insurance


Pogodually
Member
Posts: 78
From:Inverness, FL
Registered: Aug 2000
posted 05-23-2001 06:47 PM
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Congrats on the new job.
Good luck in raising them thar weeds for bugs. Hope you stay on line as you appear to be a wealth of info on Dodges and Cummins.


SLVRBLT
Member
Posts: 60
From:Sand Springs, OK - USA
Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-23-2001 06:51 PM
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illflem-
Congrats on finding the job and leasing your place. I remember you saying that you were looking for something else to do. I have a longtime friend that I visit at least once a year that lives near Stevensville, Mt. That has to be close to the area that you are going to work in, but I don't recall the Research Center. Is it close to Stevensville and Florence area? That area of Mt. is really pretty with the Bitterroot mountains on the west and the Saphires on the east. The Bitterroot valley is a beautiful place. I recall my friend mentioning the knapweed problem in Montana. I'll be sure to tell him that some top flight talent is working on the problem. The next trip to Montana I may look you up. Hope you are happy with your move and job change.
Dave
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2001 2500 HO 6spd QC LB 4x4 SLTPLUS All options except Snow Plow and Clearance Lights - Rhino Liner,Straight Exhaust, 90 Gal. American Toolbox/Tank Combo
'95 Harley Low Rider, Crane cam, S&S Super E, Samson 2" drag pipes


gitchesum
Member
Posts: 603
From:Lake Charles, LA, U. S. A.
Registered: Jun 2000
posted 05-23-2001 06:54 PM
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Way to go Bill. The unfortunate downside of the deal is that it might take an extra month to get your post count up to 7 grand or so. .
Here's to good fortune in the future.

Leon R
Member
Posts: 34
From:Summerland BC Canada
Registered: Feb 2001
posted 05-23-2001 07:32 PM
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Congratulations Bill, Are you going to pack up your workshop and continue with the wrench pulling? Thats nice country down there. Drove the 25 McLaughlin Buick to Missoula a few years ago. You may miss this desert we live in.

ol ron
Member
Posts: 436
From:Helena, Montana, USA
Registered: Dec 1999
posted 05-23-2001 07:44 PM
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Oh, you lucky lucky guy! Get the fly fishing rig oiled up, buy some studded snows, make your amends to the big guy, you are on your way to paradise! Prepare for a visit from the Helena Dodge Mafia. We will visit and harrass on a regular basis. Maybe time for another TDR chapter. Lots here in Helena and Great Falls.
P. S. Don't let any goats near the knapweed, they will destroy it. Good, worthy cause you are working for; knapweed is the scourge of the agriculture business in Montana.
Please tell us when you are settled, and can accept visitors.
Ron and Barb

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'99 QC SLT 4X4, Forest Green, long box, camper/trailer pkg, 3. 55 axles, auto, CD/cassette, power seat, heated mirrors, HD xfer case, Two meter Radioshack ham transceiver (license KC7MME),Proud member of the vast right wing conspiracy!
'98 Arctic Cat 300 4X4 ATV
'00 Honda Recon ATV
'99 Grand Cherokee
NRA Life member
"Bible thumping" Rush Dittohead!


willyslover
Member
Posts: 1242
From:In them thar hills. .
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2001 07:57 PM
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Bill you just died and went to heaven !!
I am very much wanting to move to the north west corner of Montana. . [but it looks like I'd be going by myself as the wife says farthest she will go is northern/central Idaho
very happy for ya !!
Gary

Brian Meadows
Member
Posts: 424
From:
Registered: Jan 2000
posted 05-23-2001 08:27 PM
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Congrats Bill. Was hoping you'd make down here to Forestville - at least for a visit. Sounds like you're really going to enjoy the new job.
Brian

 

[NVR FNSH]

I'm psychic - I knew it #ad

Now if I could only remember where I put my wallet... .
Brian

 

[Bob Wagner]

Good Luck Bill enjoy Montana #ad

 

[B. Gill]

congratulatons Bill #ad

hope that you enjoy there.
will you still remember us ?
bob

 

[Champane Flight]

Good luck,with the new job,stay in touch. Don't mix any of the real money crop(weed) with the other stuff and you'll be OK.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop. 72000 as of 3/1/01,not even broke in yet. Old Dodge 126000 miles and running better than new.

 

[moparguy]

Way to go Bill!! You're going to my favorate part of the country. Since the buyout in 97 I may have to start looking for a new career and the idea of relocating to that part of the world is interesting.

After 4 years of hay and boys, selling out and doing it,,, hummmm.

 

[The patriot]

Congrats Bill. I've never been to Montana, but I hear it's beautiful country.
I hope it all works out good for you.
Eric

 

[Doc Tinker]

Dern it! Here I've been telling my buddies that I know one of the Apple Dumpling Boys and you turn up as a government agent.

Congrats with the new job, illflem. Looks like you'll get in enough time for some real government pension. Nothing beats government pension.

Doc - the school bus lube man errr umm just another publik employee.

 

[Power Wagon]

Best of luck, Bill. That's one of the nicest places in all of Montana. I would have been your neighbors, but my dad decided on a whim to reject the job he was offered in Hamilton.

May the big sky always smile upon you...

 

[Power Wagon]

Best of luck, Bill. That's one of the nicest places in all of Montana. I would have been your neighbors, but my dad decided on a whim to reject the job he was offered in Hamilton.

May the big sky always smile upon you...

 

[Shelby Griggs]

PW, I agree. Around Hamilton is beautiful, the winters are even mild (at least for Montana). I made several work related trips to Montana in the 1986-87 winter, and the best area I saw was the Bitterroot Valley. I really liked it there. One downside is that the area has been discovered, lots of "non-natives" moving there, and real estate prices were going out of sight, even then. Good choice, Bill, I think you will like it there.

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 12310 miles as of 05-01-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

[This message has been edited by Surveyor Shelby (edited 05-26-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

After pouring over the weather records for the Bitteroot Valley, I've found that the climate is better than where I've been living in E. WA. In fact it would be a desert with only an average of 10" of precipitation per year, but the moisture is spread evenly throughout the year. 8" of snow is average per winter, record is 22". Average July temp is 88°, Jan is 26°. I can live with those numbers.
As for population in Ravolli,the main county in the root, it has grown 47% in ten years, highest in MT, but only started at 6,500 in 1990. As was explained to me much of the development in the area was speculative building that didn't pan out, many folks lost there shirts, there is now an abundance of cheap rentals and properties. Unemployment is high, there are few employers, biggest employer in the county is Wal-Mart. I have a job so don't need to worry about that. Be there for good on Tues.

 

[John]

Good luck Bill... you lucky dog! #ad


..... wish it were me, I'm sick of Washington state.

 

[drawson]

Congrart Bill, YOu do great at it. Now one question are you keeping both trucks(CTD)?

 

[Hammer]

Ah yes,,A man following his dream and ends up in the Big Sky country of Montana,,Just gotta love it,,One thing is for sure,to appreciate the area one only has to go outside at nite and enjoy the clear starry sky with no city lights to hamper the view,,So congratulations are in order on the new job and the rest of us dream chasers are quite envious,,My only comment is,BEWARE OF THE FLAT LANDERS,,Hope you enjoy your new job... ... .

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98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!