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Montana Ag Network: Big Sandy couple has sweet success with cantaloupe farm

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4 months ago

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Montana Ag Network: Big Sandy couple has sweet success with cantaloupe farm


BIG SANDY — Ron and Gay Pearson might not be household names, but just about everyone in Montana knows who they are.

“We’ll be walking like, say, in the store in Great Falls and somebody will call, ‘There’s the melon man!’ or the melon lady,” said Gay, co-owner of Pearson’s Big Sandy Cantaloupe.

Tim McGonigal reports – watch the video:

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Montana Ag Network: Big Sandy couple has sweet success with cantaloupe farm

For more than 30 years, Pearson’s Big Sandy Cantaloupes have been a hit at grocery stores and farmers markets across Montana.

“We took them to Winifred and Big Sandy grocery first, and they just absolutely loved the cantaloupe. They couldn’t get enough of it,” Gay said.

But the work to grow the melons was painstaking.

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“We hand planted them, we hand rolled the mulch. Everything was done by hand. The watering was done by hand, all of it,” Gay said.

Things got a little easier when they took advantage of a ready-made labor force.

“But, our two sons were pretty big guys. And then our third son came along and our daughter, and they all helped with it,” Gay said.

Gay grew up on this farm. She remembers a time when it almost was lost.

“One time they were going to put, the dam across down here, and I was probably three years old, and I was heartbroken because it would cover our whole area and our ranch would be gone,” Gay said.

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The only thing sweeter than the fruit might be the chance to be with family.

“There’s nothing better than that. And I mean, it’s just, you know, and it’s just, actually, there’s four generations of us now that are involved in the cantaloupe. And, how often does that happen?” said Ron.

Montana might not be considered a melon growing mecca, but the Pearsons have found their piece of produce paradise thanks to fertile soil combined with excellent conditions.

“And it’s hot down here. The evenings. The nights don’t really get cold. They stay warm. So the melons just keep growing,” Gay said.

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Gay Pearson said the way they water the melons also makes a difference.

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“We run through a ditch to water them. And then they go through black plastic pipes. So the water is very warm when it goes on to the plants. So they don’t have the shock of cold, you know. And I think that makes a huge difference on them,” Gay said.

The Pearsons also raise cattle and quarter horses, and they grow grain. But from the end of May until the first hard frost, it’s all about the cantaloupe, which they hand-pick starting in mid-August.

“Usually in a pickup there can be, I don’t know, 800 to 1,600 pounds. On the most given, markets that we’re leaving on Friday night, we have three pickup loads,” Gay said.

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From curious deer to pesky grasshoppers to the unpredictability of mother nature, the cantaloupe business has challenges. But for the Pearsons, getting to work with family is something they not only cherish, it’s something they’d like to continue.

“I’m hoping that, one of our kids or grandkids will really get involved in this, and, just keep it going. I hope it does. You know, I’m 70, so it’s not going to last forever for me,” Ron said.

Working with family, getting recognized by just about everyone, the Pearsons are enjoying the fruits of their labor.

“You know, it seems like there’s not too many places that we don’t go that somebody doesn’t recognize us, so it’s pretty cool,” Ron Pearson said.





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Photos: Past and present Montana State Bobcats meet in Nashville

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9 hours ago

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January 5, 2026

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Photos: Past and present Montana State Bobcats meet in Nashville


Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

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Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

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Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

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Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

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Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Past Montana State football players meet with current Bobcats during a team walk-through at the indoor practice facility at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports





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Miley Cyrus Debuts Hannah Montana-Inspired Hair Transformation to Tease 20th Anniversary Plans

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21 hours ago

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January 4, 2026

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Miley Cyrus Debuts Hannah Montana-Inspired Hair Transformation to Tease 20th Anniversary Plans


Though she hasn’t revealed what a celebration of the show’s legacy would look like, she did share why it’s so important for there to be one at all.

“For me, I love looking back at the growth for both of us because it’s very rare that someone grows up with their fanbase,” she explained. “When I was 15 years old, I’d look out and see 15-year-olds and now I’m a grown woman, I look out and see other grown people. So, what I want to do is honor the longevity of the relationship that we built.”

Having earned a Disney Legend award last year for her iconic role, the LOL star emphasized how the double-life pop star was so much more than a TV show character.

“Hannah Montana, it outgrew the fantasy,” she continued. “It became the reality of my life. Something that was about a regular girl getting to have this extraordinary life by being someone that she’s not and then turning my life and having this life because of being who I really am and authenticity. So getting to celebrate that—20 years is a long time.”

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For a look back at Miley’s life from ordinary girl to rock star, read on…



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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 3, 2026

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1 day ago

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January 4, 2026

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-02-28-30-43, Lucky Ball: 07

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

03-04-05-25-42, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-17-22-23, Bonus: 15

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

28-40-52-53-54, Powerball: 12

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

23-32-36-40-42

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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