About AGAI
Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators
AGAI is a Montana Not For Profit Corporation organized as a 501C5 in 2004.
Dues and contributions paid to AGAI may be tax deductible as a membership in a trade or business association.
- Protect historically decreed water rights
- Stay current on local issues regarding development (e.g., ditch easements, ponds, and groundwater development)
- Track, monitor, and be actively involved (where appropriate) with legislative & administrative proceedings
- Enhance/improve water conservation, “in stream” flows, and fish habitat
- Identify critical irrigation/canal issues and work to resolve findings
- Work on stewardship issues, weeds, erosion, and water quality
AGAI Directors
Walt Sales
President
Term ends 12/20
Andrea Wass
Vice President
Term ends 12/22
Susan Duncan
Secretary
Term ends 12/21
Kathryn Kelly
Treasurer
Term ends 12/20
Curtis Dykstra
Term ends 12/22
Bill Lee
Term ends 12/22
Jason Burkenpas
Term ends 12/21
Doug Braaksma
Term ends 12/21
Kurtis Dykema
Term ends 12/21
Jake Feddes
Term ends 12/21
Board Advisors
Krista Lee Evans
Blake Creek Project Mgmt
Dave Weaver
George Alberda
Walt Sales
Walt Sales grew up on the family ranch, which he and his bride LaRae are transitioning to the next generation. He has been active in the community as an advocate for agriculture as the valley changes, serving on many non-profits, committees, and elected positions.
Andrea Wass
Andrea Anderson Wass grew up on a farm north of Belgrade on Dry Creek. She got a Business degree from MSU Northern in Havre and now works for Northwestern Mutual Life as a Financial Advisor. She grew up in 4H, was a 4H parent of her 3 children, and served on the Gallatin County Swine Committee.
Susan Duncan
Susan Duncan grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis. She came to Montana in 1964 to get a degree in Forestry from the University of Montana – Missoula. She worked in resource management in the Western US for 13 years before returning to Montana in 1975 to build a farm from scratch with her husband Richard. She has been on the AGAI Board 15 years, Watershed Council Board 14 years, and READI Workforce Training Board for 7 years.
Kathryn Kelly
Kathryn Kelly grew up on the family ranch along the Gallatin River south of Four Corners. She had a 30 year career in real estate, title insurance, escrow and mortgage banking, mostly in Alaska and the Bay Area of Northern California. Currently, she is the Greater Yellowstone Manager for The Montana Land Reliance and manages the ranch. She and her parents are founding members of AGAI.
Curtis Dykstra
Curtis Dykstra is a 5th generation Gallatin Valley farmer. He earned a Master Electrician certificate and works as an Electrical Contractor. He is President of Spain-Ferris Ditch and works on the family ranch. In his free time he likes to hunt and fish.
Bill Lee
Bill Lee grew up in Highwood, Montana and graduated from MSU with a degree in Ag Business and Economics in 2013. Bill is currently a loan officer for Stockman Bank in Manhattan and has over 6 years in the profession. He has been on the AGAI Board for 2 years. Bill serves as a Cadet’s counselor, as well as a Deacon for his church’s council.
Jason Burkenpas
Jason Burkenpas is a 5th generation Gallatin Valley resident. His grandfather Duane owned Gallatin Equipment, the local John Deere dealership. Jason was heavily involved in 4H and FFA in high school and wants to establish his own agricultural operation. For now, he caretakes Al Lien’s place where he keeps his cows and works for Door Tech – a garage door company – to fund his farming future.
Doug Braaksma
Doug Braaksma is a 4th generation Gallatin Valley farmer. He graduated from high school and added years of experience through “the school of hard knocks”. He raises hay, barley, wheat, and corn, backgrounds calves for other people plus his own herd of 130 head of beef cattle.
Kurtis Dykema
Kurtis Dykema participated in 4H while he grew up in the Manhattan-Churchill area. He has a degree in Diesel Mechanics from MSU- Northern at Havre. He is a self-employed farmer of 1500 acres–750 acres leased and 750 acres belong to his family. He and his brother are working to take over the family operation. He is active in his church and as a 4H parent for his children.
Jake Feddes
Jake Feddes is a 3rd generation rancher in Manhattan, Montana. Jake currently works on the family ranch and is President/CEO of Feddes Family Meats, Inc. He is also an independent representative for Superior Livestock marketing cattle in 5 western states. Jake is the 2020 Chairman of the Young Cattleman’s Conference, where he was selected to represent the state of Montana. Jake is a 2017 graduate of Leadership Montana. He’s been involved in politics and believes protecting water is one of the single most important aspects of modern agriculture.