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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: KALISPELL KREAMERY
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FEATURE STORY: GROUNDBREAKING IN EUREKA
InterBel Expands Rural Broadband Access, Bringing High-Speed Internet to Montana
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: KAITLYN
Kaitlyn Farrar connects rural Montana to vital resources through leadership, innovation, and community support
by JASON MOOTHART
Dear InterBel Members,
As we approach the close of another year, I’m reminded once again of the strength and resilience of our rural communities here in Montana. This newsletter highlights some of the incredible efforts we’ve made together to ensure that our neighbors have access to the services and connectivity they need to thrive. From the groundbreaking of our fiber expansion project to the strides we’ve made in securing grants that benefit local schools and health services, everything we do is rooted in our commitment to you—the people who call this place home.
One story I’m especially proud to share is about the USDA Reconnect 4 initiative. This partnership is paving the way for faster, more reliable internet in some of our most remote areas. It’s easy to take connectivity for granted, but for many of our neighbors, this expansion means the world. It’s the difference between being able to work remotely, access telehealth services, or give children the educational resources they need. Together with the USDA, we’re making sure that no one is left behind.
I’m equally proud of our team at InterBel. Whether they’re in the office or out in the field, they’re always working with one goal in mind: to serve you better. We’ve seen firsthand how the work we’re doing is bringing new opportunities to the valley, and it’s only going to grow from here.
Thank you for continuing to trust us with the important work of connecting our community. We’re excited for what the future holds and honored to be a part of your journey.
With gratitude,
Jason Moothart
JASON MOOTHART General Manager & CEO, InterBel
Faced with unexpected challenges, the Hedstrom/Tuck family built Kalispell Kreamery from scratch, blending tradition and innovation to bring non-homogenized, community-driven dairy back to Montana.
Kalispell Kreamery stands as a testament to resilience, community spirit, and Montana’s pioneering legacy. Founded by the Hedstrom and Tuck families over 15 years ago, the creamery emerged from a pressing challenge: the co-op that had distributed their milk ceased operations, leaving them at a crossroads.
Mary Tuck, daughter of co-founders Bill and Marilyn Hedstrom, reflects, “We didn’t really have a playbook. It was just about figuring out what worked.” This determination transformed their small dairy into a thriving business that harmonizes traditional farming with modern innovation.
Bill and Marilyn started their dairy farm in Kalispell in the 1970s, selling milk to processing plants for decades. When their co-op closed, the family faced a crucial decision: abandon their farm or forge ahead. Over a family dinner, the vision for Kalispell Kreamery was born.
With the help of Mary and her husband Jared, they aimed to provide minimally processed, non-homogenized milk directly to consumers. “At first, we had a pile of stainless steel and no clue what we were doing,” Jared recalls. Lacking funds for engineering help, they relied on ingenuity to build their creamery from the ground up.
“We were uniquely positioned to create our own market,” Mary notes. They recognized a niche for non-homogenized, cream-ontop milk products in the Flathead Valley, aligning with a growing demand for local, high-quality food. Their slogan, “Moo to You,” emphasizes their belief that knowing your farmer means knowing your food.
Community support has been vital to Kalispell Kreamery’s success. Early partnerships with local businesses, especially Rosauers Grocery Store, were crucial. Mary, new to dairy sales, cold-called Rosauers, pitching their product. The store took a chance, and soon others across Montana followed suit.
“It didn’t take long for locals to love our products,” she says. The demand soared, leading them to upgrade to a semi-trailer for distribution beyond Flathead Valley.
Kalispell Kreamery combines traditional dairy practices with modern innovations. Their non-homogenized milk allows cream to rise naturally, offering an authentic dairy experience. “It’s milk the way it used to be,” explains Jared. The milk is processed the same day it’s collected, ensuring freshness.
They also recently launched a glass bottle exchange program, initially set aside due to rapid growth. With increasing customer demand for sustainable options, they revisited the idea. “We wanted to do what’s right for the community and the environment,” Mary says. Customers pay a $2 deposit per bottle, which can be refunded or exchanged, embracing sustainability despite higher costs. “Milk tastes better when it comes from glass,” she adds.
As Kalispell Kreamery expands, the Hedstroms prioritize quality over quantity, choosing not to significantly increase their herd size. “We don’t want to lose the personal touch that makes our products special,” Mary explains. Their offerings, from wellloved chocolate milk made with just three ingredients to Greek yogurt strained for optimal thickness, emphasize simplicity and quality.
New product development is a slow process, but the family is committed to getting it right. They also collaborate with local businesses, such as Montana Coffee Traders, to create unique products like a cold brew coffee pint. “We do milk—they do coffee. It’s a perfect match,” Mary says.
WE’RE ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT STEP, BUT NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE GROW, WE’LL NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF OUR ROOTS. — MARY TUCK
Kalispell Kreamery remains focused on innovation while staying true to its core values of community, sustainability, and quality. This dedication distinguishes them from larger dairies, earning them a loyal customer base throughout Montana. “We’re always thinking about the next step,” Mary asserts. “But no matter how much we grow, we’ll never lose sight of our roots.”
The story of Kalispell Kreamery is about more than just milk—it’s about resilience, family, and the spirit of entrepreneurship that is woven into the fabric of Montana. From building a creamery without a manual to embracing sustainable practices and forming deep connections with the community, the Hedstrom family is creating a lasting legacy, one bottle of cream-on-top milk at a time.
An exciting partnership between InterBel and the USDA to widen frontiers in broadband connectivity began with a groundbreaking ceremony in Eureka, Montana this past August.
The federal bipartisan infrastructure law that promises every American affordable, reliable, high-speed internet provides funds for a ReConnect initiative, and InterBel, through the USDA RUS ReConnect 4 Grant, is using this opportunity to target remote rural areas in greatest need of access.
Kathleen Williams, Montana State Director for USDA Rural Development, points out that high-speed capability is something families and businesses have become dependent on, comparing it to electricity and water, which were treated as essentials in the past and supported by federal government initiatives. Now, says Williams, “high-speed internet is the new electricity of the world” that will provide unlimited possibilities to those in lower-populated areas. The chance to access better health services, educational opportunities, and jobs is part of what encouraged the partnership between InterBel and the USDA.
The RUS ReConnect 4 grant awarded the USDA funds to connect rural homes with fiber, increasing both access and speed for rural internet users. Initial construction, which began with the groundbreaking in Eureka, has already reached Rexford and will continue into the spring of 2025. As these first projects are completed, construction will then begin in the Olney and Star Meadows areas.
USDA General Field Representative Peter Hawks emphasizes the importance of the partnership with InterBel to make this project a reality for their rural areas. Hawks believes the project will assure their more remote customers that “they’re not left behind and that they can get the same economies of scale that a metro or urban area has.”
The capacity to change lives excites Jason Moothart, General Manager of InterBel in Lincoln County and Tobacco Valley. Whether providing educational, career, commerce, or medical services, Moothart notes that providing remote areas with benefits that residents in larger cities already enjoy “opens everything up to them that they would have access to in a place like Seattle.”
Andy Burke, Administrator of the Rural Utility Service, believes that the partnership between InterBel and the USDA has been key in creating rural accessibility because they understand the importance of connectivity to people who live and work in more remote areas. Burke notes: “Often these types of entities will do things that are not critical to their bottom line, so you might have to go out an extra few miles to hit a house and make sure they have internet.” He feels that when companies only consider a “pure cost benefit,” they may not go that extra mile. However, says Burke, when you adopt a service-minded philosophy “all of a sudden the equation changes, and you get to that next house.” Building connections one home at a time means that everyone in Montana has the opportunity to thrive.
Burke also sees further possibilities in rural expansion. As it becomes more viable to live and work in a place that you see value in, providing technologies all over rural Montana gives people more choice
in choosing their home. Burke maintains people “still either work the job that they want, or maybe their spouse is working the job that they want someplace else, and so it opens up options.”
When registered nurse Pamela Vidal moved from Arizona to Montana, she couldn’t work without internet services. The great broadband services she’d come to expect did not exist in her small rural community of less than 1,500. She was unable to even look for work because the lack of connectivity was a barrier. But that obstacle was lifted when InterBel responded within 24 hours of her request and installed fiber optic to her home. Vidal notes: “I have lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I’ve lived in Fort Myers, Florida. I’ve lived in Phoenix, Arizona, Yuma, Arizona, and I’ve lived in Eureka, Montana. And I can say that my internet is honestly just as fast here in Eureka, Montana, as it is in Phoenix when I lived there.” That customer satisfaction is what InterBel continues to strive for, and making rural connectivity a priority is one way they reach everyone.
IT MATTERS TO ME THAT I WORK FOR AN ORGANIZATION WHO CARES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND CARES ABOUT ITS EMPLOYEES.
— KAITLYN FARRAR
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT:
“For me personally, I need to do something where I feel like I’m having a purpose or impact.”
As a manager and regulatory analyst for InterBel, Kaitlyn Farrar understands the need to connect decision-makers at InterBel to data that helps them make more informed choices. She enjoys “sharing the story of what’s happening within the company,” which calls on her creative and analytical skills as she helps managers identify and track key metrics within their teams, empowering them to be more confident in making business decisions.
Kaitlyn also handles human resources, benefits, conflict resolution, and provides leadership training for the management team. When she began at InterBel almost two years ago, finding better tools for data visualization and tracking key metrics was a growing business need. Kaitlyn educated herself in business intelligence software like Power BI and Tableau, enabling her to present data and metrics in an easy-to-digest format for InterBel’s managers and staff.
Kaitlyn’s willingness to embrace new experiences and continually strive to improve eventually led her to Eureka. Growing up in a small town in Vermont, she always felt connected to nature, and when she visited the area through a project with the University of Montana outreach, she was sold on “the Rocky Mountains, elevation, and the diversity and richness of wildlife.”
Since moving to Eureka, Kaitlyn and her husband have taken full advantage
of all that Montana’s outdoors have to offer, including cross-country skiing, rafting, hunting, and hiking. She relishes time alone in nature, saying: “I feel like it helps bring me more into the present moment when I’m out in the woods, and things are quiet.” Kaitlyn continues to learn new recreational skills and finds opportunities for outdoor activities because, in Montana, “it’s not hard finding people who can help share that knowledge with you.”
As an InterBel employee and small-town resident, Kaitlyn sees the need for more connectivity in her area. With a post-COVID population increase and ever-rising living costs, now more than ever, rural Montana residents need access to services that aren’t readily available in their communities. She takes pride in InterBel’s success in providing tech materials and broadband access to local schools, donating to area scholarship funds, volunteering as coaches for sports teams, and supporting 4-H and other educational programs.
As part of an InterBel team, Kaitlyn co-wrote and submitted a USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine proposal that helped secure grants to expand educational opportunities and secure telehealth services for the Eureka area. Last fall, the team received word that InterBel was awarded the grant. Kaitlyn is particularly proud of how this effort demonstrates InterBel’s commitment to the community, adding: “This grant has absolutely no monetary benefit for InterBel. We are not serving any new locations or getting higher package subscriptions.” Rather, she notes that in obtaining this grant, InterBel is giving back to under-resourced educational institutions in the area they serve.
Being part of a strong, community-centered team makes working at InterBel a long-term investment for Kaitlyn. Her favorite part of her work is connecting people to resources, and she appreciates that “when somebody reaches out and asks a question, I’m able to help answer that question and get them to all the resources that they need to help them and their family.”
Phishing scams are becoming more advanced, and it’s easier than ever to fall victim if you’re not careful.
Whether it’s through a seemingly harmless email or a text that looks urgent, cybercriminals are getting more creative. As rural broadband consumers in areas like ours gain greater access to high-speed internet, it’s important to stay aware of how to protect yourself from these increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
This guide will walk you through what phishing is, how to recognize it, and steps you can take to avoid falling prey to these scams.
Phishing is when scammers trick you into providing personal information like usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers. They often pretend to be someone you trust—a company, your bank, or even a friend. The goal? To get you to click on a link, download an attachment, or provide sensitive information. While phishing attacks are most commonly delivered via email, they can also come through text messages (called smishing), phone calls (vishing), or even social media messages.
Spotting phishing attempts early is your first line of defense. Here’s what to look out for:
Suspicious Email Addresses: If you receive an email that claims to be from a company but the address doesn’t match up, be wary. For instance, an email claiming to be from Amazon but sent from something like “support@amzonhelp.com” should raise a red flag. Always check the sender’s email carefully.
Generic Greetings: Phishing emails often start with vague salutations like “Dear Customer” because they’re mass emails sent to many people. Legitimate companies usually address you by name.
Urgent or Scary Messages: If an email threatens you with account suspension or legal trouble, it’s likely a phishing attempt. Scammers try to panic you into acting quickly without thinking. Most legitimate companies will give you time to resolve any issues and won’t use such scare tactics.
Grammar and Spelling Errors: While phishing attempts are becoming more polished, many still contain typos or awkward sentences. Keep an eye out for mistakes, as these are often clear signs the message isn’t legitimate.
Attachments and Links: Be cautious of unsolicited attachments or links. Scammers may use these to install malware on your device or redirect you to fake websites. Before clicking, hover over any link to make sure it leads where it says it does.
Fake Websites: Phishing attacks often involve websites that look almost identical to real ones. Scammers might copy everything about a website except for a tiny change in the URL. Double-check web addresses before entering any login information.
Now that you know how to spot phishing, here’s how to protect yourself:
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Even if someone steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second authentication step, like a text message code or app confirmation.
Check Before You Click: Before clicking on a link, hover over it to see the URL. If the link doesn’t look legitimate or matches what you expect, don’t click it.
Verify Suspicious Messages: If you get an email or text that seems off, don’t engage directly with it. Instead, contact the company or individual through official channels, like a phone number from their website—not the one in the email.
Keep Your Software Updated: Regularly update your devices, web browsers, and antivirus software. These updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that phishing scams exploit.
Even the most cautious people can fall for phishing scams. Here’s what to do if it happens to you:
Change any passwords associated with compromised accounts right away. Contact your bank or credit card company if you provided financial details. 1. 2. 4. 3. 5.
Don’t Share Personal Information: Legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information, like your password or credit card number, via email or text. If you’re unsure about a request, reach out to the company through a verified method to confirm.
Keep an eye on your bank accounts, credit reports, and online profiles for any unusual activity.
Report phishing attempts to the company being impersonated and the relevant authorities, like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This helps organizations take action to prevent further attacks.
Phishing attacks are a constant threat, but by staying alert and following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim. Learn to recognize the signs, protect your accounts with strong security measures, and always verify any suspicious messages before acting. By doing so, you’ll outsmart the cybercriminals trying to steal your information.
INTERBEL TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE INC.
300 DEWEY AVENUE
EUREKA, MT 59917
OFFICE: (406) 889-3311
TECH: (406) 889-1500
