EUREKA — Amy Driggs is a fourth-generation ranch hand for Quirk Cattle Company in Eureka.
She says her great grandfather, Maurice Quirk, founded the company with his brother Tom in the late 1880's after immigrating from Ireland. Now, Quirk Cattle beef for consumers around the country.
Additionally, Driggs' father, LeLand created the BaleSkiis, which makes baling hay easier and more nutrient efficient. The BaleSkiis are manufactured on site at the family's ranch in Eureka and are shipped throughout the country -- and to Australia.
Stretching 3,000 acres Driggs' family ranch was just inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. "It's a nice honor, it's great to see that they're preserving the history of all these ranch families," said Driggs.
Driggs grew up on the family ranch right across from her grandparent's house and still lives on the property. She understands that ranching comes with its challenges.
"Equal parts exciting and equal parts sometimes terrifying to be in agriculture today. There's a lot of backlash for what's considered corporate agriculture. The way that things have been done in past years. And that's not without cause," said Driggs. "But that also creates a lot of backlash on individual farms and ranches and puts a lot of pressure on them."
Despite those challenges, Driggs' says the family pushes on, making the Quirk Cattle Company one of the oldest businesses in the area.
According to the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame's website, inductees exhibit notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana. Driggs says the ranch will be honored in an inductee ceremony in Great Falls in February.
