Recognizing Women in Grain Inspection - Patti Hedges

AAGIWA would like to recognize and highlight women in the grain inspection industry who are leading the way for others. Click here to submit your nomination.

Patti Hedges

We are pleased to introduce you to Patti Hedges, Lab Supervisor in Plentywood, Montana, for Montana Department of Agriculture State Grain Laboratory. Patti has been with the Montana State Grain Lab for 14 years. She helped open the Plentywood lab location as a "Lab Tech/Sampler" and quickly rose through the ranks to earn her Lab Supervisor title.

Patti grew up on a farm and ranch operation and has been involved in agriculture her entire life. From a young age, Patti was always helping out on the family operation (which she says wasn't much of a choice). When she was just in high school, her father suffered an injury that caused him to become paralyzed, requiring Patti, as the elder of three sisters, to step up and fully manage the operation from a young age. While in college, she majored in Animal Science, with a minor in Economics and Education. Summers were spent back on the ranch, trying to fit "eight months of work into four months," said Patti.

Dan Reimer, Director of the Montana State Grain Lab said,“Patti Hedges is synonymous with the Plentywood State Grain Lab, and it has been that way since the location’s inception over 13 years ago. Leadership from the Department of Agriculture comes and goes but Patti has always been there serving the area’s agriculture industry. Situated in farthest corner of Northeastern Montana where the number of people measures 2.1 per square mile, it is a real blessing to have someone highly reliable like Patti whose dedication to the work is surpassed by none. Patti’s industry knowledge and reputable relationships throughout the area benefits all stake holders.”

Patti’s days start early. Along with her position at the State Grain Lab, she also runs a cattle and sheep operation with her husband. Since they both work full-time jobs for the State of Montana, the ranch work takes up their time in the early mornings, lunch, and evenings. When in Eastern Montana, you are standing in the dry pea, lentil, and chickpea capital of the country. Patti and the staff at the Plentywood Grain Lab have a huge responsibility to grade where over 72% of the nation’s lentils are grown. If you ask a farmer or grain elevator manager in Eastern Montana about Patti, they most likely have her on speed-dial.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is proud to have Patti as an integral part of the State Grain Lab and commends her dedication to agriculture, her peers, and Montana's farmers and ranchers.

Congratulations, Patti, on all of your accomplishments! We are proud to have you as part of the grain inspection family.