Hollenbeck Family Wins Approval for New Lamb Facility in Montana
July 2, 2026
After months of public meetings and debate, the Stillwater County Commission has approved a conditional use permit allowing the Hollenbeck family to move forward with a new indoor lamb feeding facility near Molt, Montana.
For sheep producer Henry Hollenbeck, the decision marks a major milestone—not only for his family's operation, but for Montana's sheep industry as a whole.
"We feel like the infrastructure in the lamb industry needs something like this in our area," Hollenbeck said. "We've been feeding lambs for multiple years, and we believe there's an opportunity to better serve different markets with this facility."
Designed to Strengthen the Sheep Industry
The proposed facility will feature a 120-foot by 450-foot enclosed feeding barn equipped with slatted floors and an underground manure storage system. Once operational, it will have the capacity to house approximately 4,500 lambs at one time.
The project will be constructed adjacent to the Hollenbeck family's existing grain elevator property near Molt—land that has long been used for agricultural purposes.
"We already own the property, it's agricultural land, and that's why we selected this location," Hollenbeck said. "Our goal is to improve the value of that property while helping strengthen the sheep industry.", the decision marks a major milestone—not only for his family's operation, but for Montana's sheep industry as a whole.
"We feel like the infrastructure in the lamb industry needs something like this in our area," Hollenbeck said. "We've been feeding lambs for multiple years, and we believe there's an opportunity to better serve different markets with this facility."
Public Process Led to Changes
The proposal initially faced opposition during the county planning process, with concerns centered primarily on the facility's location near the community.
The county planning board ultimately recommended denying the permit.
However, the Stillwater County Commission held its own public hearing, allowing both supporters and opponents to present testimony over the course of nearly three hours.
Hollenbeck said the family assembled a team that included veterinarians, engineers, contractors, and industry experts to answer questions and explain the project's design and environmental safeguards.
Many residents, he noted, supported the project but expressed concerns about its location.
"We heard a lot of people say they supported agriculture and supported the project—they just weren't sure about the location," he said.
Community Improvements Included
To address those concerns, the county attached several conditions to the permit approval, including landscaping requirements, fencing, and visual barriers.
Hollenbeck welcomed the additions.
"We're completely on board with those conditions," he said. "We probably would have done many of those things anyway. We want people to drive into Molt and have a 'wow' factor. We want this project to improve the community."
Construction Could Begin Within Weeks
With county approval now secured, the Hollenbeck family will complete final permitting requirements through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality before construction begins.
Hollenbeck expects earthmoving to start within the next couple of weeks.
"We've already been working with DEQ, but we couldn't go any further without the conditional use permit," he explained.
Building materials will now be ordered as construction ramps up.
Lambs Expected This Winter
If construction proceeds on schedule, Hollenbeck expects the first lambs to enter the facility by late fall.
"Our goal is to have lambs standing on those floors sometime in November or December," he said. "That timing works well because that's when we need the facility the most during the winter months."
A Win Beyond One Operation
While the project represents a significant investment for the Hollenbeck family, Hollenbeck believes its impact extends much further.
"I think it's not only a win for our family," he said. "It's a win for the sheep industry, agriculture in general, and the ag community. We believe this project benefits everyone."
The new facility is expected to add important finishing capacity for Montana's sheep industry while creating additional opportunities for producers throughout the region as demand for domestic lamb continues to grow.
Source: Western Ag Network
