B Bar Gazette – March 2026
| Issue #32 March 2026 |
| I walked into the maintenance shop to find Troy and Katie taking turns cranking an ice cream machine from the 1920s. Katie, as usual, was dressed just right in one of Troy’s dad’s old sweaters and a vintage B Bar hat she found at the Livingston thrift store. It felt like a small celebration after two full weeks of hosting — the winter Dreamtending retreat followed by the second annual Ramshorn Classic. |
| That same evening, Katie shared that she had seen a cow moose with twins at sunset while driving into the ranch in her AMC Eagle, Hazel Blue Sky. We paused on that for a bit. Twin moose don’t go unnoticed, and moments like that tend to stay with you. It’s a reminder that we’re part of something bigger here, and that this place holds more than what we can always explain. Before guests arrived, Mark went out to check trail conditions. The snow we got in mid-February had mostly melted, but in its place he found a large herd of bighorn sheep stretched across the south end of the basin, silhouetted along the ridge. Even in a winter without much snow, there is still plenty to see if you slow down and pay attention. |
| Bjork skiing during the Ramshorn Classic on February 28th |
| Not all of those moments are easy ones. Last week we lost Red, one of our Ancient White Park cows, at 23 years old. Over her life she raised 17 calves into our conservation herd. She was in good shape for her age and passed quietly. It was a hard day, but a peaceful one. Spring is already moving in behind her. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve welcomed around 80 calves, including several Ancient White Park calves. We’re not a cow-calf operation, but the neighboring bulls seem to find their way in at the right time. Moving forward, we’ll be spaying our heifers as part of how we manage the herd. |
| AN AWP cow/calf pair with the Crazy Mountains in the background. |
| While calving has been underway, it’s been a windy and warm end of winter in Big Timber. Our neighbors have also been dealing with early-season fires. One burned 50–60 acres after a downed powerline, and a nearby historic barn was lost in a fire as well. The persistent wind has pushed both equipment and conditions to their limits, and the open ground, while not fully dry, didn’t stand much of a chance once the fire got moving. Still, we’re grateful for Mihail, Shea, Randy, Esme, (and Elsa) who continue to care for the land and produce high-quality organic beef, even when conditions aren’t easy. |
| Between the ranch and retreat operations, there’s rarely a quiet moment. But the work shares a common thread. Whether it’s cattle, land, or guests, the responsibility is the same — to care for what’s in front of you and leave it better than you found it. That’s what keeps us paying attention. |
Sign Up for the Bluedot Living Retreat
Looking ahead, our summer retreat season in Tom Miner Basin is fully booked, but a few of our hosted retreats still have space available. One we’re especially looking forward to is with Bluedot Living Travel, happening June 7–11.
Bluedot Living brings together people interested in thoughtful, grounded travel — time spent slowing down, learning, and connecting. Their retreat at B Bar will include guided walks, yoga, conversations around regenerative practices, and time to simply be on the land. Evenings will be spent together with good food, music, and conversation. For those interested, there are options to add fly fishing or horseback riding. One highlight will be a day in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley with Doug Smith, longtime Yellowstone wolf biologist, offering a chance to observe wolves in the wild and hear firsthand about the work behind their reintroduction. It’s shaping up to be a meaningful few days, and a good reflection of what we hope people take with them when they spend time here.
As we move through mud season, it’s a good time to slow down, reflect, and prepare for a season ahead that will ask a lot of us and give plenty in return.
Warmly,
Jackson
| Our B Bar Family Maryanne Mott - General Manager and Owner Jackson Stewart - Guest Retreat Manager George Peirce - Head Chef Amy Berndt - Ranch Administrator Kenney Berndt - Maintenance Foreman Troy Lerwill - Maintenance Technician Artie Squire - Maintenance Technician Mark Rose - Land & Livestock Manager Claire Beimel - Horticulture Brandon Schmidt - Guest Services El Stone - Bookkeeper Mihail Kennedy - Production Manager Shea Kennedy - Cattle & Grazing Coordinator Randy Mesce - Maintenance Technician Kristian Mesce - Big Timber Office Assistant Esme Wessel - Big Timber Ranch Hand |