Montana Agriculture Director Nancy K. Peterson

News Date June 29, 2007

Montana Agriculture Director Nancy K. Peterson passed away early June 23 morning in Great Falls hospice care after battling melanoma cancer. Nancy was diagnosed with a recurrence of melanoma early last Fall. She underwent treatment and was improving dramatically when the cancer spread to her brain and spinal cord in mid-June. 

"She will be deeply missed," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "Nancy has been a close personal friend, a wonderful boss and director, and strong supporter of family agriculture in Montana. Nancy's energy and vest for life were contagious. She worked hard and always had a smile on her face. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers." 

Nancy was born in Havre and raised south of Gildford, She carried on her family's tradition in farming and ranching. She farmed over 2,600 acres north of Havre. Nancy had over 30 years of experience as a farm owner/operator for corporations, partnerships and sole proprietorships, including all areas of Farm Service Agency farm programs, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, crop/farm insurance, oil and gas leasing, farm loan applications, farm credit and all aspects of hands-on labor of operating a family farm. Peterson independently operated a private grain laboratory in Havre for two years and worked as a relief agent for Amtrak in Havre, Shelby and Wolf Point. She has been involved with Montana Grain Grower's Association, Montana Farmer's Union and Montana Certified Seed Association. Peterson was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to Chair the Farm Service Agency State Committee. She was the chair of that committee for seven years. Peterson graduated from KG High School in Gildford, and received certification in integrated pest management and farm applicator special use. Peterson has two sons, Kody and Kyle, and three grandchildren. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)