Nature & Nurture: Working with Animals Program with Llama Packer and Farrier October 4

Nature & Nurture: Working with Animals speaker series program begins with Susi Hülsmeyer-Sinay, llama packer and trail guide, and Michael Earl Craig, farrier and poet on Wednesday, October 4, 6:00pm. The in-person program is held at Yellowstone Gateway Museum, 118 W. Chinook St., Livingston. Participants can also register for any or all of the livestreamed Zoom programs at https://www.parkcounty.org/Yellowstone-Gateway-Museum/Nature-Nurture-Working-with-Animals-2023-Fall-Speaker-Series/. Programs are uploaded to museum’s YouTube channel after the live virtual event.

Our Fall 2023 Speaker Series is inspired by local people who work closely with animals—a llama packer, farrier, sheep rancher, wool fiber artist, Norwegian Fjord horse breeder, therapist, and two cattle ranchers. Each are committed to their work, helping others in various and myriad ways.

Susi Hülsmeyer-Sinay arrived in Montana from Germany. She traveled to Yellowstone National Park and decided to stay in the area, moving here in 1993. In Montana, she realized her dream to work with animals, explore her love for writing, and immerse herself in wild nature.

She exchanged her international business past for the adventure of an exciting and fulfilled life in the mountains of Montana. Llamas soon entered her life and have never again let go of her heart. She published a book, Lewis the Yellowstone Llama, as well as various articles in Distinctly Montana and Outside Bozeman. Susi is active in llama rescue and local charity events, including Eagle Mount. Her trekking company, Yellowstone Llamas, offers nature hikes with llamas in Yellowstone National Park and Paradise Valley. She lives with her animal family of fourteen llamas, three cats, and one dog in Livingston.

Michael Earl Craig is a Certified Journeyman Farrier (through the American Farriers’ Association) and an Associate of London’s Worshipful Company of Farriers. He began horseshoeing fulltime in 1998 and lives in the Shields Valley where he shoes horses for a living. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, he moved to Montana in 1991.

Earl has also written poetry since 1991. His most recent book of poems is Iggy Horse (Wave Books, 2023).  He’s published poems in various magazines, journals and anthologies, including Poetry, The Believer, The New Yorker, and The Best American Poetry (2014 and 2022).  Earl was a recent Poet Laureate for the state of Montana and a Civitella Ranieri Foundation fellow (fall 2021). 

Upcoming programs: October 18: Sheep ranching and fiber artistry with Lorna Marchington, lifelong sheep rancher/historian, and Helen Harris, lifelong fiber artist (wool), and MT Fibershed organizer; November 1: Raising Fjord horses and healing with Wendy Bauwens, Sunnyside Farms founder and breeder of Fjord horses, and Chris Siegel, therapist who works with Sunnyside Farms; November 15: Raising cattle with Connie Malcolm, lifelong cattle rancher, Tom Miner Basin, and Martin Davis, lifelong cattle rancher, Paradise Valley.

Plan to come early to the in-person program at Yellowstone Gateway Museum, 118 W. Chinook St., Livingston because of limited seating. Programs begin at 6:00pm; please note earlier time from previous programs.

Visit Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for program updates. Register for Zoom programs at https://www.parkcounty.org/Yellowstone-Gateway-Museum/Nature-Nurture-Working-with-Animals-2023-Fall-Speaker-Series/. Please contact Karen Reinhart, 222-4184 or kreinhart@parkcounty.org, if you need assistance. Donations welcome. The Yellowstone Gateway Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm.