Farm Bureau Adds A Second Agent In Townsend
Author: Missy Cox
Dustin Gillaspie joined Townsend’s Farm Bureau office as a second agent in April 2022. He is working with long-time agent Tim McAlpine who will continue working in investments and financial plans. Dustin worked in the Miles City office before being transferred to Helena when Tim decided to step back to become an associate agent.
Tim has enjoyed working in Townsend. He had an opportunity to keep the Townsend office open when Farm Bureau planned to combine it with the Helena office. “Twenty-three years ago, I presented a management plan to the company to keep the Townsend office open. They accepted,” he said.
Tim explained the company made plans to bring in a second agent. “Since 1999, our Townsend office business has increased by over 500%. I and my family cannot say, ”Thank You“ enough to all the customers I work with, for the hard work of my staff and a wonderful twenty-three years in the insurance business.”
Dustin studied business at the University of Great Falls. After college, he worked in the oil fields. When he was laid off, he began studying to become a Farm Bureau agent. He came by that honestly. His father had worked in the Great Falls office for thirty-three years. Dustin and his wife Tyanna, a geologist, and their three children, currently live in Helena. They are looking forward to finding a home in Townsend.
Dawson County Agent George E. Piper organized Farm Bureau in 1915 when the peak of the land rush and homesteading boom hit Montana after the Homestead Acts were passed by Congress, according to “Legacies,” written by Laura C. Nelson. The history was commissioned by Farm Bureau to commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2019.
Settlers came by the thousands from the Midwest to claim 32 million Montana acres. They filed 114,000 homesteads. Piper helped educate the new farmers and ranchers on how to farm in this semi-arid land. He helped them learn gardening to feed their families and helped them forge business alliances as well as providing them with a platform for obtaining business insurance.
Broadwater County Farm Bureau’s role has expanded its focus to include community outreach. It still offers its members education and political outreach. The policy-holder-owned organization now offers an annual scholarship to a graduating Broadwater High School senior. Members teach farm safety education to Townsend school children including a special program in ATV safety.
Dustin works in the Townsend office, 410 Broadway, on Tuesdays. He can be reached at (406) 266-5233 or at the Helena office other days at (406) 442-0456.
Broadwater Farm Bureau President Chuck Plymale can be reached at (406) 266-3590 for those interested in joining the organization.
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PhotoCredit: Missy Cox
Image 1 Caption: New Farm Bureau agent Dustin Gillaspie, his wife Tyranna and their three children Kason, age 6; Maggie, age 2 and new baby, Tyler, born July 4 are shown in front of the Broadway St. Farm Bureau office along with agent Tim McAlpine.
