Rural Women Cultivating a Life They Love: An Interview with Katelyn Dynneson Larson

"Obviously, this life is not all rainbows and butterflies; there are really difficult days, seasons, and years, but the small magical moments make it worthwhile."

Mar 22, 2023

Montana is a big state—it ranks fourth in size but is 43rd in population. Despite our state's vast miles, I’ve found it can also feel like a small world—especially in agriculture. Katelyn Larson lives in eastern Montana, and I’m in central Montana, but our paths crossed a few years ago. (At a football game, of course!) We have mutual friends, and all went to dinner together after a game.

Since then, I have followed her on Instagram, getting a peek into her daily life on her family feedlot and farm. And I’ve been impressed/intimidated by how much work she does—often with her toddler in tow.

Katelyn grew up in agriculture and chose to come back to her family’s operation after college. I’m excited to share more of her story! Here’s my interview with her.

Katelyn, I’ve titled this series “Rural Women Cultivating a Life They Love.” You grew up on your family’s farm, then married a man raised in agriculture. Did you always know you wanted to stay in agriculture? Did that change at all over the years?

I actually didn’t originally plan to stay in agriculture. When I started college at Montana State University, I was enrolled in the College of Business with plans to be a financial advisor or something similar. Less than a month in, I realized I was not in the right place and immediately transferred to the College of Ag.

I still did not plan on coming home to the farm, though. I interviewed for a couple of jobs across the country as a commodity trader and in ag lending. During those interviews, I realized how much I loved the farm and ranch. I always looked forward to coming home to work during breaks, so I moved home and started full-time after graduation.

Since you came back to your family’s operation, I imagine they showed you that they loved their work. How did your parents cultivate a life they loved, and how did they pass that love along to you? How are you cultivating a life you love for your son?

I think it’s really difficult to be involved in production agriculture and not love it. How can you not love watching a newborn calf take those first wobbly steps? Or watch as the crop emerges in the spring and grows all summer long until harvest?

My sister and I were involved on the farm from day one, so we learned early on how to appreciate a hard day of work and the rewards that come from it. Obviously, this life is not all rainbows and butterflies; there are really difficult days, seasons, and years, but the small magical moments make it worthwhile. Romanticizing those jobs that really are enjoyable and taking the time to enjoy moments make life worth living. Plus, what other line of work can you work alongside multiple generations of your family and see the benefits of the hard work of previous generations?

I’m already seeing the love of this life in Connor. Like a typical boy, he is obsessed with things on wheels, and luckily we have a lot of those things around here! He loves animals and already wants to be a caretaker for them. I joke he will be able to run all the equipment before preschool. Sometimes I worry that I will burn him out on this life, but then I see how excited he gets over day-to-day things.

We will never expect any of our kids to take over the farm, but we will always work hard to have the opportunity here for them.

Your husband works on his family’s farm, and you are on your family’s operation. I imagine this is like any married couple with two different employers, which many people can relate to. But, I also imagine it presents some challenges too. How do you balance family time and time just for you?

Thankfully, after our son was born, Russell started working with my family more often. We’re fortunate enough to spend a lot of days working together with Connor. Busy seasons do stretch us pretty thin because he is needed at both places, but we always seem to make it work.

Our family time definitely looks a lot different than the typical family because it’s usually spent working, but we have made some really great memories throughout the year.

In this line of work, it’s so difficult for anyone to have time for themselves. During the slower seasons, I try to prioritize doing things that bring me joy, but it’s easier said than done.

How has your role changed since having Connor? Did having a baby affect your work more or less than you thought it might?

Connor was born right at the start of seeding, so my role changed pretty much immediately. I was always the one that seeded the dryland crop, and that year I was home tending to a newborn and recovering from surgery while Russell put the crop in.

I think the biggest change in my role has been that I pretty much always have an extra person with me now. I was a little naive at first with how much or how easy it would be to take him with me, but sometimes I’m absolutely amazed at how resilient he is and how much easier it gets every day.

I really don’t spend long hours in equipment as I used to do during planting, haying, etc. I’m in more of a support role. My role at the feedlot hasn’t changed, though. Now, I just have a small assistant. I still spend every day in the winter walking through pens and checking water. Some days are a real challenge, and the hours are never easy.

There are a lot of mornings Connor doesn’t want to leave to go to work, he’d rather play at home, and many nights we’re home well past bedtime. I’m so fortunate, though, that I have a really great village. If something is unsafe or he is just over being at work, my mom steps in and watches him. He rides in the feed truck quite a bit with his auntie and loves riding in equipment with his papa.

It really is a team effort around here.

What’s the most challenging part of being a woman in agriculture?

Honestly, I don’t know if I find anything overly challenging about being a woman besides my lack of height and strength sometimes. Also, the lack of proper workwear for women is really disappointing.

My sister and I have always been respected and treated like we belong. I’m sure my dad was given grief over the years for only having daughters and having us come back to the farm, but it’s never shown.

The people we choose to do business with treat us with respect and don’t defer to our dad or my husband.

What would you tell a rural woman starting out?

Don’t take special treatment because you’re a woman, and don’t expect it either. It’s not easy being a rural woman, but the support of others can make it so much better. Find people you can look up to, whether it’s on social media or someone local. I have so many great women I use as resources, and I am tickled pink when someone asks for my help.

Planting Season

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