Rooted in Community: RMAC provides various services and steady support for Fremont County growers

In addition to the challenges many growers face in Wyoming’s semi-arid environment, the closing of Riverton’s Simplot facility in December 2000 left area farmers with yet another hardship. 

In the wake of this uncertainty, however, locals Dan Forbis and Rolan Himes were committed to keeping Fremont County’s farming industry strong. 

Together, the two men gathered a group of investors to help purchase the shuttered Simplot plant, secured start-up capital and gained additional loan funds from Wyoming Community Bank. Local producers also stepped up, pre-buying inventory to ensure the new venture had a solid foundation. 

By the spring of 2001, the Rocky Mountain Agronomy Center (RMAC) was officially open for business and ready for its first season of fertilizing, spraying and seeding crops across Fremont County. 

Twenty-five years later, RMAC continues to thrive, thanks to the unwavering loyalty of its customers and steady growth that has come with their support.

Close-knit community

Despite the hot, dry summers; long, cold winters and just 10 to 15 inches of annual precipitation, fertile fields stretch across Fremont County, producing everything from alfalfa, grass hay, sugarbeets, corn, small grains, malt barely and pinto beans.

“Fremont County has a lot of exceptional growers who do an outstanding job of raising a variety of crops,” Dan notes. “Several growers in this area have even received national awards for their outstanding crops.”

He continues, “Many growers also raise cattle and other livestock and are able to juggle this heavy work load and still be successful.”

The grit and resilience of growers in the area is also commendable, as farming in Fremont County does not come without a unique set of hurdles. 

Limited irrigation water, a short growing season, long waits for equipment parts and the ever-changing Wyoming weather all weigh heavily on Fremont County producers. Yet, they remain strong and, perhaps more importantly, united. 

“The growers in this area all know each other and are always up for friendly competition to see who can produce the best crops for the year,” Dan says. 

He notes this sense of camaraderie is especially evident during harvest season when neighbors step in to lend a hand with equipment, labor or encouragement. Even when they are experiencing their own stressors, the farmers of Fremont County find ways to support one another. 

A partner in the field 

RMAC is a huge player in the support system rallying behind Fremont County producers. 

From the beginning, the center’s mission has been simple – to help producers succeed. To this day, RMAC continues working hand in hand with farmers to adapt, innovate and thrive in the area’s challenging environment. 

RMAC provides a wide range of services including custom application of seed and fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide treatments.

The team also offers crop advising, soil sampling, lawn fertilizer and crop protection products. 

However, the heart of the business lies in personal relationships, and since each grower faces their own unique challenges, RMAC prides itself on working one on one with farmers to develop management practices which not only improve yields, but also support the long-term health of the land. 

“Our main mission in serving producers in the area is to help them succeed with their own farming operation,” Dan says. “Each producer has different challenges they face and also different ideas. We try our best to integrate farming management practices demonstrating longevity of plant and soil health.”

Another reason RMAC has built such an impressive reputation is due to the expertise of its staff and excellent customer service skills for both large and small operations. With a deep understanding of all things farming and Fremont County, the team is able to provide more than just products – they deliver solutions tailored to local conditions and unique operations. 

“Proof of our excellent customer service lies in the steady growth of our business and continuous support from Fremont County growers,” Dan states. “Our staff has great knowledge about soil and plant health, farming management practices, crop protection and many other areas related to ag.”

A promising future

As RMAC looks toward the future, the company remains focused on its founding mission of helping local producers succeed. The center notes this includes staying open to new techniques, embracing innovation and never losing sight of its core values of service and community. 

“We are constantly striving for success and willing to try new techniques,” Dan states. “We would also like to thank all of our customers, many of whom have been with us since day one. Without them, there would be no business.”

For more information on RMAC, visit @RockyMountainAgronomyCenterLLC on Facebook, e-mail rmac@wyoming.com or call 307-857-7086.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.