MANDATORY Fair Hog Meeting TONIGHT! 3/19 @6pm!

The Barn Board

Welcome to the Barn Board! — a space designed to connect students, families, and school staff with all that’s happening in Agriculture Education. Whether you're checking in on upcoming events, looking for FFA updates, or just curious about what’s growing in our program, you’re in the right place.

At the ag center, we learn by doing — from welding and woodworking to livestock management and leadership development. We are excited to build a community where students grow real-world skills, explore career paths, and have fun doing it

Montana State FFA Convention Recap

Kalispell FFA came back from Great Falls with some hardware to hang up! Our teams did phenomenal competing in their contests and representing Kalispell FFA.

Kalispell FFA Teams in the Top 5:

Horse Evaluation - 1st Place Team
Parliamentary Procedure - 2nd Place Team
Farm Business Management - 2nd place Team
Vet Science - 3rd Place Team
Ag Mechanics - 3rd Place Team
Forestry - 4th Place Team
Agronomy - 4th Place Team
Livestock Evaluation - 5th Place Team

Alongside our teams, we had several individuals that were recognized for Top 10 Individual in their CDE. We took two FFA Creed Speakers and recognized the hard work of Elliott Schwartzenberger for Star Geenhand and Madison Brist for Star Farmer.

Kalispell FFA was awarded 1st place Chapter Scrapbook that was put together by our Chapter Reporter, Harli Hanson.

Our Seniors got to see the pay off from their hard work for the past four years. Eleven members were awarded their State FFA Degrees, which is the highest degree that MT FFA can bestow upon someone. We are so proud of their accomplishments, and excited to see them strive for greatness as they approach the end of their high school careers!

All of the hard work from our members secured our chapter the 3rd place Sweepstakes award. Congratulations to all of the members that attended and competed at the MT State FFA Convention!

Tri-Tip Dinner & Auction!

Join the Kalispell FFA Alumni and Supporters for their 2nd Annual Tri-Tip Dinner on April 17th!

This is a great way to support and learn more about what the alumni group does for our FFA Chapter. Their will be a silent and live austion, with dinner, drinks and music to enjoy! (This event is for 21+ only.)

Do you have a local business or know someone who does and wants to support FFA? The Alumni is looking for donations for the silent and live auction. Anything from gift certificates to your favorite local activities, donation baskets filled with goodies, or large live austion items. If you would like to donate or need more information, please email kalispellffaalumni@gmail.com

Dinner Auction Flier.pdf

FLSO UPDATE for 2026 NWMT Fair!

Fair Dates: August 12th - 16th, 2026

Livestock Weight Changes:

Hogs: 225lbs to 305lbs (Birth Date moved to December 1st).
Beef: 1050lbs to 1600lbs.
Lambs: No Change.

Ag Center Calendar.

This calendar is full of all the upcoming events and assignments happening in my classroom.

Our Mission

As a chapter, we strive to cultivate a standard of integrity and respectfulness with hard work, inclusiveness, and cooperation. We aim to provide out reach to our community and chapter members by developing opportunities through Agriculture Education.

Meet the Teachers!

Mr. Darrach

Hi, I'm Rich Darrach. I'm in my 6th year at the Ag Center, and my 15th year teaching Ag Education.

I was part of the 5th generation on my family's farm in Northern California before deciding to teach agriculture. I currently teach Ag Education 3 and Ag Welding 2 & 3 at the Ag Center. I coach our Ag Mechanics teams and supervise our Fair lambs and our sheep flock outside of class, and am also our Ag Center Coordinator.

I am blessed to be married to my wife Ashli and we have four wonderful kids - Eli, Eva, Joseph, and James. It takes all of us to manage our 1 dog and our menagerie of livestock at home.

Welcome to the Ag Center - we can't wait to get to know you and see what great things await you!

Mr. Hankinson

Hi, I’m Tucker Hankison, this is my 14th year at the H.E Robinson Ag-center. I grew up here in the Flathead and went through the Ag program during high school, which developed my passion for agriculture.

I teach freshmen and Junior Agricultural Education classes. I coach Agronomy, and Meats Evaluation. I help out in the pig barn as well as help with general farming at the Ag-Center.

When I’m not at the Ag-Center you can find me with my amazing family on the river, at the lake, or camping in the woods somewhere. My wife Katie is a first grade teacher at Rankin Elementary school. Our son Mack is 5, and our daughter Hattie is 3. We also have a spirited pup named Ranger who is 4.

Mr. Heupel

Mrs. Knust

My name is Kalee Knust (pronounced like Kali Ka-Noost) I was born and raised in Kalispell and am a product of Kalisepll FFA!

I was a member of the Northwest College livestock judging team, while there I earned my AS in Ag Ed. I went onto MSU Bozeman and finshed my BA in Ag Ed in 2016.

I am entering my 9th year teaching Agriculture Education. I started my career teaching 7th-12th grade in Chester, Montana. In 2021 I was hired as the 6th Ag teacher here at the H.E Robinson Ag Center. I teach Ag 1, Ag 2, and Vet Science. For FFA I coach creed speaking, horse evaluation and vet science. I am also in charge of Fair steers for our chapter.

I am married to my wonderful husband Tyler, we have two kids; Lydia, 7 and Augustus, 2. We also have 15 chickens and two dogs, Mavis and Griswold.

Ms. Schelbert

Howdy! My name is Ms. Schelbert, and I’m excited to begin my first year teaching here at the H.E. Robinson Ag Center. I grew up in a small logging community in western Washington, where my passion for plants, forestry, and natural resources first took root and lead me to the University of Montana's forestry program.

I’m a proud alumna of the University of Montana’s College of Forestry, where I studied a wide range of subjects, from wildland fire science to rangeland management and botany. After college, I worked for the State Department of Agriculture, where my love for agriculture truly blossomed — and inspired me to become an Ag teacher.

I will be coaching the Forestry CDE this year and the Flathead tennis team. I teach Ag 2, Welding 1 and Welding 2.

Ms. Umland

My name is Rachel Umland and I am proud to be a new teacher at the H.E Robinson Ag Center! I was born and raised in a small rice-farming town in Northern California. I was a proud 4-H and FFA member and spent 10 years showing pigs at my county fair.

Growing up in a tight-knit farming community, I developed a deep appreciation for agriculture and its impact on our everyday lives. I get genuinely excited about learning more about this industry and sharing that excitement with others. That passion led me to Montana State University, where I earned my degree in Agricultural Education, go Cats!

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