Volunteer Feature: Matt McKamey — A Lifelong Advocate for Montana Agriculture

For as long as he can remember, agriculture has been the thread running through every part of our Great Falls Market President Matt McKamey’s life — shaping his values, his work ethic, and the way he shows up for his community. Growing up on a diversified livestock operation south of Great Falls, Matt spent his childhood working alongside his family with cattle and sheep, building the foundation of resilience, stewardship, and responsibility that still guide him today. That same family operation continues into its fourth generation, and Matt remains actively involved whenever he can.

Today, Matt and his wife, Cindy, also operate a dryland farming enterprise on her family’s farm in central Montana, growing winter and spring wheat. Their adult children each help during seeding, harvest, and maintenance — making agriculture not just a profession, but a shared family legacy and a way of life.

Matt’s connection to agriculture extends well beyond his own operation. His deep commitment to youth leadership development has made him one of the most active and respected volunteers in Montana’s agricultural community.

As a high school FFA member, Matt competed in a wide range of Career Development Events — from Agronomy to Public Speaking — experiences that lit the spark for the leadership roles he continues to take on today.

For many years, he has served as Director of the Montana FFA Alumni Leadership Camp, a four‑day program that brings together around 100 FFA members from across the state each year. The camp focuses on leadership, personal development, and helping students discover their own potential. Matt has also played a critical role as a long‑time facilitator for the Montana FFA State Officer Nominating Committee, helping select the team of student leaders who represent and advocate for Montana FFA statewide.

His service has been recognized nationally. In 2024, Matt was awarded the Honorary American FFA Degree, one of the highest honors presented to individuals who advance agricultural education and the FFA mission through extraordinary support.

Matt’s volunteerism also extends to 4‑H, where he has served as a record book judge and has supported the annual Cascade County 4‑H Livestock Sale. He attributes his early understanding of budgeting and cashflow to the 4‑H project record‑keeping he completed as a youth — important lessons that made a lasting impact.

Matt and Cindy have long been active members of the Montana Farm Bureau and the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA). Their leadership as a couple is notable: Cindy was appointed in 2024 by Governor Greg Gianforte to serve as a Director of the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee, a producer‑funded organization that drives research and global market development.

In 2025, Matt was elected to the MGGA Board of Directors, helping guide policy and advocate for Montana’s grain growers locally, statewide, and nationally. His leadership and advocacy were further recognized that same year when he received the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce Ag Advocate Award, honoring his volunteer efforts to promote and educate others about the agriculture industry.

Matt’s deep agricultural background gives him a unique perspective in his work at Opportunity Bank. He understands firsthand the unpredictability producers face — weather, markets, timing, animal health, and the pressure of making decisions that impact not just a season, but a family’s livelihood. That lived experience shapes how he listens, leads, and builds relationships.

Because he "speaks the language" of agriculture and respects the realities behind the numbers, Matt is able to connect authentically with customers — offering empathy, credibility, and a shared sense of purpose. His work ethic, shaped by long days on the farm, shows up daily in his commitment to the bank’s mission and Montana’s rural communities.

From mentoring youth through FFA and 4‑H, to advocating for growers across Montana, to spending weekends working his family’s farm, Matt embodies the spirit of Montana agriculture. Opportunity Bank is proud to highlight Matt’s contributions — and grateful to have a leader who brings authenticity, heart, and agricultural insight to every aspect of his work.