Issue
Supporting Agriculture
Agriculture is deeply connected to Montana's economy, communities, culture, and land. Farming and ranching remain foundational sectors of Montana's economy and the backbone of Big Horn County.
Why This Matters in Montana
Montana's Agricultural Economy
Montana is one of the largest agricultural states in the country by land area. Farming and ranching remain foundational sectors of Montana's economy, supporting jobs and economic activity both directly and indirectly across the state.
Montana State University Extension and state economic data document the breadth of Montana agriculture: the state is a major producer of wheat, barley, cattle, hay, pulse crops, and other commodities. Agricultural production supports not only farm and ranch families but also rural businesses, transportation networks, processing facilities, and local governments that depend on agricultural property tax revenue.
Montana agriculture also faces substantial volatility. Recent Montana economic reporting has documented significant wheat price declines, lower wheat harvests in some years, lower yields for several crops, and changing commodity markets. Weather and drought risk remain persistent challenges across the state.
Agricultural operations are affected by a wide range of cost factors: fuel prices, equipment costs, interest rates, transportation, water availability, drought, labor availability, property taxes, commodity prices, veterinary availability, access to markets, and infrastructure. State policy can affect many of these factors directly or indirectly.
Why This Matters in House District 42
Ranching and Farming in Big Horn County
House District 42 includes substantial ranching and agricultural communities. Cattle ranching is the dominant agricultural activity in Big Horn County, with operations ranging from large commercial ranches to smaller family operations. Hay production along the Bighorn River and its tributaries supports both local ranching and regional markets.
Water is a critical issue for HD 42 agriculture. The Bighorn River and its tributaries are essential water sources for irrigation and livestock. Water rights — including the complex intersection of Montana state water law and tribal water rights — are a significant concern for agricultural producers in the district.
Rural roads are essential for agricultural operations. The condition of county roads directly affects the cost and viability of farming and ranching — from moving equipment and livestock to accessing markets and receiving supplies.
Intergenerational farming and ranching — keeping family operations viable for the next generation — is a concern across rural Montana. Rising land values, equipment costs, and the challenges of succession planning affect the long-term future of agricultural communities in HD 42.
Agricultural land on and adjacent to the Crow Reservation involves additional layers of complexity, including tribal land ownership, Bureau of Indian Affairs oversight, and the economic development priorities of the Crow Nation.
Chip's Documented Experience & Record
Background and Committee Service
As a lifelong resident of Big Horn County and a small business owner in the region, Chip Fitzpatrick has a direct understanding of the agricultural economy that sustains HD 42 communities. His experience as a county commissioner gave him direct involvement in county-level decisions that affect agricultural producers — from road maintenance to property assessment to water infrastructure.
His background in the Crow Tribal Legislature also gives him an understanding of the agricultural dimensions of tribal land management and the economic development priorities of the Crow Nation, which has significant agricultural land holdings.
In the Montana Legislature, Chip served on the House Fish, Wildlife & Parks Committee. This committee handles legislation related to Montana's fish and wildlife resources, hunting and fishing regulations, state parks, and related natural resource issues — areas that intersect with agricultural land use, water rights, and rural land management.
For verified information on specific agriculture-related votes from the 2025 session, visit the Montana Legislature's official website and search for Representative Fitzpatrick's voting record.