Just west of downtown Victor, in a sea of open fields dotted with cattle and roaming wildlife, an iconic bright red barn marks the home of Groff Farm. Owned by the Groff family for more than 100 years and six generations, a new conservation easement completed in partnership by the family and BRLT will ensure the continuation of agriculture, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open scenic lands – a testament to the Groff family’s resilience to honor their family’s legacy and preserve the land they’ve loved since 1886.
The farm’s unofficial mascot is an ornery, elderly longhorn steer whose colorful nickname, “Pain-in-the” (you-know-what!), also paints an image of resilience – though perhaps more in the way of his intolerance of fences (or those standing in his way of them).
Visible from many public roads in the area, the 472 acres of newly conserved farmland includes highly productive, irrigated open pastures that support a cow/calf operation and hay production, as well as wildlife habitat for native species including elk, deer, and raptors. A significant section of Sweathouse Creek flows through the property, providing stream and riparian habitat for fish and dozens of bird species.
Landowners Ann Groff, Kay Clevidence, Ryan Clevidence, and Sara Waldbillig wanted to honor the late Bill and ”Phyll” Phyllis Groff’s love for the ranch and the Victor community by giving back through conservation. In addition to the newly conserved Groff Farm, the family gifted most of the value of 21 acres of their property to BRLT this summer to bring to life their vision of a public nature park for Victor.
“My family has had the privilege of owning this property for over 100 years,” says landowner Ryan Clevidence. “For generations, we’ve cared deeply about this land. Partnering with the Bitter Root Land Trust felt like the right way to protect what makes it special – open space for elk to roam, cattle to graze, and incredible Montana views. The valley is known for its natural beauty, and we’re proud to help keep that intact for the future.” 
With a new conservation easement in place, the property will continue to provide critical habitat for wildlife and open space for agricultural practices, eliminating any threat of future development or subdivision.
Longtime lessee Robin Hood says, “I’ve run cows on this place since the middle 1970’s. Back in the day there were five of us nearby that ran cows, and this place is basically the only one that is left. The land trust helped by preserving this.”
As with all BRLT-related conservation initiatives, our community played a large part in making the conservation easement possible for Groff Farm. In addition to funding received by the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Agricultural Land Easement program, the project was also made possible by local bond dollars from the voter-approved Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program and the generosity of the landowners.
Located within just a few miles of approximately 2,000 acres of completed and in-progress conservation easements in Victor finalized by BRLT in partnership with local landowners, the newly conserved Groff Farm adds a critical piece to the puzzle of the growing conservation neighborhood. Nearby easement projects include Roy Ranch, Buker/Y5 Ranch, Hackett Ranch/Sweathouse Creek, Lifeline Farm, Rory R Ranch-Victor, Lippert, and Graze and Roam Ranch.
Thanks to our community’s support of landowner-driven, private land conservation, the crimson barn and the open lands that surround it serve as the critical anchor in a growing sea of protected lands in the town of Victor – made possible by you.
