December edition of Montana Grassroots

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DECEMBER 2016

M O N TA N A

GRASS ROOTS F E E D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H F A R M E R S U N I O N E D U C AT I O N A P U B L I C AT O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N

WOMEN’S

CULTIVATING

POTENTIAL

SUPPORTED BY THE WOMEN OF MONTANA FARMERS UNION

2017 WOMEN’S CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 10–12 • CHICO HOT SPRINGS

LOOK FORWARD TO THESE WORKSHOPS:

• Women’s Leadership and Roles in Agriculture • Communications: How to Resolve Conflict • Organic and Conventional Farming • CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) KEYNOTE: CAREY PORTELL, farmer/advocate

SPEAKERS:

KIM MANGOLD, Deputy Director, MT Department of Agriculture

ELLEN WALSH-ROSMANN, Pin Oak Place

PAID

GREAT FALLS, MT PERMIT NO. 93

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

KEYNOTE: AUDRA MULKERN, writer, photographer, and farm-to-table documentarian

LAURA GARBER, Homestead Organics Farm

Registration is limited.

Register today at montanafarmersunion.com

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DECEMBER 2016

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!

IN THIS ISSUE Update on Legislative Session Page 3

Me m b e r Recr uited by Chad & Janelle Notbohm, Miles City PAVEX, Tucson AZ US Bar Ranch Inc, Terry Victor DeMaio Trust, Mission Viejo CA B and G Land LLC, Bozeman Stanley Kinney, Laurel Kyle Lorash, Joliet Ronald & Laura Gary, Bridger James Burton Farley, Hardin John & Laura Buck, Choteau John & Jacquie Carlson, Choteau Arthur Hamaoka, Troy Craig & Julie Davis, Stevensville Anthony Gonzalez, Polson Melissa Buckley, Cartwright ND Donald Prevost, Sidney Arlen & Lonnie Price, Sidney Bert & Mae Robinson, Dillon Joe & Amber Tusick, Havre John Walker, Livingston Marc & Lisa Rios, Geraldine Lilly Green, Fort Benton Mathew & Macee Barton, Corvallis OR

Ron Watts Ron Watts Ron Watts Jim Mathews Craig Parker Dallas Hagfeldt Jr. Dallas Hagfeldt Jr. Wes Schwend Judd Long Mathew Luedtke Mathew Luedtke Colleen Wood Bryan Jones Andrew Luedtke Cathy Hintz Cathy Hintz Cathy Hintz Judy Siring Jan Tusick Alan Merrill Alan Merrill Kathryn Peterson Arrowpeak Lodge

Message from the President/ My Student in Need Page 4 2017 Women’s Conference Page 5 Chouteau County Farmers Union & Mountain View Co-op Host Pulse Crop Seminar Page6 Celebrate Ag Recap!

Page 8

BFI Participants Travel to California Page 10

Thank you Mountain View Co-op!!!

MFU Sponsors Montana Ranchers Relay Ryan Goodman Page 11

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

@MFUfarmers

PO BOX 2447 300 RIVER DRIVE NORTH GREAT FALLS MT 59403 PHONE: (406) 452-6406 FAX: (406) 727-8216 mfu@montanafarmersunion.com www.montanafarmersunion.com Board of Directors: Alan Merrill, President Rollie Schlepp, Vice President, Conrad Erik Somerfeld, District 2, Power Bill Courtnage, At-Large director, Geraldine Brett Dailey, District 4, Jordan William Downs, District 5, Molt Ben Peterson, At-Large director, Judith Gap Kelly Rutledge, District 1, Big Sandy Sig Rudie, Fairview, At-Large director Paul Kanning, Distric 5, Flaxville Jan Tusick, District 6, Ronan State Office Staff:

Membership Update Page 9

Educational Fund:

@MFUfarmers

MONTANA FARMERS UNION

Jan Johnson, Office Mgr., Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Lyndsay Bruno, Communications Director Chris Christiaens, Legislative & Project Specialist Kathryn Peterson, Youth & Event Coordinator Justin Loch, Membership Director Dave Snuggs, Facility Director Copyright © Montana Farmers Union, 2016.

Montana Grassroots is the official publication of the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, Montana Division. MFU reserves the right to reject any advertisements. Third Class bulk postage paid at Great Falls MT 59401.

Membership: $50.00 per year Montana Grassroots is published 10 times each calendar year with two combined issues. Article submissions are requested by the 15th of the month. Advertising space is available.

Copy Editor: Jan Johnson Editor/Designer: Lyndsay Bruno Staff Contributors: Justin Loch, Chris Christiaens, Kathryn Peterson & Alan Merrill

mfumt

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DECEMBER 2016

2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Montana Farmers Union will be very active in the upcoming legislative session. MFU will be sponsoring a bill on agri-tourism and will also be tracking all bills pertinent to agriculture and consistent with our policy. Levi Ostberg, of Fairfield, will be this session’s lobbyist. Each Friday, our communications department will provide an update on the week’s activitiy. If you would like to receive these updates please send an email to: lbruno@montanafarmersunion. If a hardcopy is preferred please note that as well or call the state office at 452-6406. Some of the bills we will be watching include: • • • • • • • • • •

Tax Laws • Natural Resource Laws Net Metering Laws • Invasive Species Veterinary Practice Laws • Agricultural Property Tax Laws Insurance Laws • Eminent Domain Laws Property Tax Assessment • Oil & Gas Rates Mineral, Oil and Gas Laws • Predator List for Livestock Loss to InWater Laws clude Mountain Lions Livestock Loss • Water Commissioner Appointments Milk Laws • Water Rights, Water Lease Laws, Filing Laws Related to the Department of Agri- • Feed Bill culture • Food Safety Laws • Environmental Laws • Agricultural Assessment Fees • Energy Laws • Agricultural Valuation Laws

• Agricultural Property Designation • Eligibility of Land for Land Valuation • Coal-fired Generation Unit Decommissioning Remediation Act • Montana Water Conservation Act

Keep up on the session and find & track bills by using the free online service LAWS(Legislative Automated Workflow System). Visit leg.mt.gov for details on how to access the system and for the legislative calendar. Follow us on Facebook,(@MFUfarmers) Twitter(@MFUfarmers) & Instagram(mfumt) for updates!

CHRIS CHRISTIAENS L E G I S L AT I V E & S P E C I A L P R O J E C T S

With the elections finalized, we are within a few weeks of the 65th Legislative Session. Leadership has been elected for the respective caucuses and the President of the Senate will be Senator Scott Sales of Bozeman and Speaker of the House with Representative Austin Knudsen returning to that position for the upcoming session. Training and orientation has occurred on November 14th and further work continues in preparation for the 90 day session which is slated to start on January 2nd, 2017. Rules Committees will meet on December 7th as will presiding officer training on the same day. On December

8th there will be Budget Training along with the Biennium Budget Review of 2019 for those serving on the Appropriations committees. Once election canvassing has been completed individuals can go to the web site of the Montana Legislature:”65th Legislative session and pull up the 2017 Legislator roster, obtain information from the LAWS database which contains bill draft requests, status and text of bills as well as proposed agendas for the first few days of the session.

Both the Montana House and Senate will convene at noon on January 2nd. For those interested, a tentative session calendar is available on line, subject to change as the legislature goes to work. The

current make up of the House is 57 Republicans and 43 Democrat Representatives. The Senate is made up of 32 Republicans and 18 Democrats with leadership from both parties elected on November 14th in their respective caucuses.

bills during the upcoming session.

Copies of current policy will be posted on our website prior to the beginning of the 2017 Legislative session and weekly updates of action on bills will be available.

Should you or others be interested in providing testimony during the session a call in advance to the Farmers Union Office would be helpful as many times there are bills of importance to our organization being heard at the same time on both Houses of the legislature, making it impossible to be in two places at once.

Montana Farmers Union will be represented by Levi Ostberg as lobbyist during the session and calls concerning bills and testimony should be directed to President Alan Merrill during the session, who in turn will have daily contact with Levi. Policy developed by members of active locals and For questions about the session, accepted during the annual Farm- feel to free to call for more detail ers Union Convention will be used in presenting testimony in support or opposition to certain

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DECEMBER 2016

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT newable Fuel Standard. On page 24 in our policy book our position on RFS is stated. We are in total agreement with the President-elect on this policy.

The 2016 general election is over.

Life will go on!

hand. Agriculture is in dire need of both houses of Congress to put the election behind us, rollup their sleeves and get to work, not only for the nation’s sake, but for U.S. agriculture. We need unity President-elect Trump also men- and professionalism going fortioned having common-sense ward in writing the next new farm regulatory reform. Those of us bill. Montana Farmers Union will in agriculture are not opposed to join with National Farmers Union some regulations and understand at the forefront for these imporand recognize the need for clean tant issues. air and water. But as Presidentelect Trump said we don’t want to We look forward to seeing you be over regulated. We need to use at a Farm Bill meeting near you! common sense on what works for Please come to share your ideas the good of all agriculture. and provide feedback!

Montana Farmers Union, as a grassroots agriculture organizaFirst, I want to mention that as tion, is hoping President-elect Montana Farmers Union bylaws Trump will look at the large state we are a non-partisan or- mergers in the making. The fewganization. We do not endorse er the choices, the more control No-Vote Action on TPP a “Sigany political party. With that be- a few large companies will have nificant Victory” for Family ing said we all know that Donald over the family farm. In the cur- Farmers and Ranchers, NFU Trump will be our next president. rent Ag economy, we cannot af- Says He will take office in January 2017 ford more price increases of pro- R O G E R J O H N S O N and we are all wondering how his duction inputs.

N AT I O N A L F A R M E R S U N I O N presidency will affect agriculture.

MFU will be have Farm Bill meetIn his travels across America ings in the near future. It will be WASHINGTON (November 16, he campaigned on many issues. very important for the members 2016) – A staunch opponent of Some of those issues Montana of our organization to be involved the Trans-Pacific Partnership Farmers Union agrees with as re- in the political process moving (TPP) trade agreement, Nationflected in policy. One issue is TPP forward. There will be change. al Farmers Union (NFU) com(Trans-Pacific Partnership.) Pres- I know I have asked you to get mended Congress for agreeing to ident-elect Trump is not in favor involved before, but I believe so forgo a last minute vote and reof this trade agreement and nei- strongly that now it is more im- examine the deeply flawed trade ther is Montana Farmers union. portant then ever. We will be agreement. NFU President Roger This position is stated in the 2016 holding these meetings around Johnson released the following policy book, page 22; lines 70-75. the state after the first of the year statement in response: We stand for fair trade, not free so we can include your input, as trade. Hopefully President-elect we stay connected to our legisla- “We’ve been hearing for months Trump stays the course and voids tors in Washington D.C. Please the discontent family farmers and TPP per his campaign promise. be watching where the closest lo- ranchers and American workers The countries that want TTP ma- cation is for you and your neigh- have with TPP, and I’m pleased nipulate currency which would bors. Bring a truckload of people that their concerns have been have a disastrous effect if the with you! heard. Sending TPP back to the agreement is passed. drawing board is recognition that President-elect Trump’s success past trade agreement frameworks Renewable Fuel Standard(RFS) is is greatly dependent on sup- are not working for our nation’s another issue MFU is very much port by congress. I have been to family farmers and ranchers, rural in favor of. President-elect Trump Washington D.C. numerous times communities, and consumers. campaigned on a promise to ex- and have seen the vicious politipand and fully implement the Re- cal fights and name calling first- “This trade agreement would 4

have done very little, if anything, to lessen the impact of our vast trade deficit, provide actionable oversight of unfair market practices such as currency manipulation, or protect American jobs.

Congress can now focus on ensuring our trade negotiators promote fair and competitive trade that benefits U.S. family farmers and ranchers and manufacturers who rely on access to competitive markets around the world.

"We look forward to working with the new administration and the next Congress to promote fair trade solutions that work for American agriculture and the U.S. economy."

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DECEMBER 2016

Ladies - you are cordially invited to attend the annual Montana Farmers Union Women’s Conference at Chico Hot Springs Feb. 10-12. The cost is $85/members; $125/nonmembers. Online registration ends January 10. After this date contact the MFU office at 452-6406 to check on availability. Register today at: montanafarmersunion.com!

• Leadership training • Communications: How to resolve conflict; Shelby Jo Long-Hammond; Rocky Mountain College • Presentation on community supported agriculture(CSA) & combining education and agriculture: Laura Garber • Montana Women in Agriculture: Kim Mangold, Montana Department of Agriculture • Ellen Walsh-Rosmann: Pin Oaks Farm • Floral workshop led by Rebecca Knotts with Wildwood Floral • Self-defense workshop • Yoga workshop: led by instructor Audra Bergman • Keynote: Audra Mulkern, writer, photographer and farm-to-table documentarian • Keynote: Carey Portell; farmer and advocate Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, farmer and operator of Pin Oak Place is married to Daniel. Ellen is responsible for the planning and organizing the farm. She also plants, manages labor and finances and does marketing of wholesale product. She also oversees the new egg laying operation. She received her degree from Iowa State University in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture and International Agriculture. Ellen grew up on a dairy goat farm in Northeast Iowa. Ellen is passionate about farming, rural America, local food and making sure ALL people have access to healthy food. She hopes that the farm is an answer for many of these things.

Kim Mangold started in Agriculture through family farm operations along the HiLine in Montana. She served as a congressional aide for Senator Baucus where she focused her efforts on federal issues and barriers facing Agriculture. Kim has worked for the Montana Department of Agriculture for over eleven years and is currently serving as the Deputy Director. She has extensive knowledge of agriculture and agri-business; state and federal agriculture programs; marketing and economic development. This experience is useful when assisting with the growth and development of Agriculture related businesses and initiatives.

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Audra Mulkern is a cook, writer and photographer who is putting good food in the spotlight and changing the way you look at farming and the food on your plate.She is the author of “Rooted In The Valley: The Art and Color of The Snoqualmie Valley Farmers Markets” - a photographic essay highlighting farmers and artisans from the Carnation and Duvall farmers markets. Proceeds from book sales are donated back to the Sno-Valley Tilth, an organization and community of local farmers. Audra also writes and photographs “The Female Farmer Project” – a chronicle of in-depth stories about the rise of women working in agriculture around the world.

Carey Portell: I am a country girl who likes to kick up her heels in the city every now & then.I am passionate about life and love to bring a smile to others. My roles include: mother, wife, farm hand, photographer, inspirational blogger and speaker. My four year recovery after being the survivor of a drinking and driving collision has sparked a passion to inspire others along a positive path in life. My journey is compelling, humbling and I share it with gut wrenching honesty.

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DECEMBER 2016

CHOUTEAU COUNTY FARMERS UNION AND MOUNTAIN VIEW CO-OP HOLD INTRODUCTION TO PULSES SEMINAR B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O , C O M M U N I C AT I O N S D I R E C T O R

Jeff Winkler with Mountain View Co-op Leads the discussion on pulse crops

An introduction to pulses was the hot topic of a half-day seminar hosted by Chouteau County Farmers Union and Mountain View Coop. Jeff Winkler with Mountain View led the presentation to nearly 50 producers at the Community Bible Church in Fort Benton.

Winkler talked about field selection, disease management, fertility and trends in pulse crops. Throughout the presentation Winkler discussed the benefits of cover crops including the prevention of soil erosion, removal of excess surface water and protecting the ground water quality. “When first considering planting pulses, think field selection and examine the chemical history by sampling the soil,” said Winkler. He said as a rule the majority of pulses don’t grow that tall so an even ground does help the crop ripen. Currently the United States is #1 in pulse crops and some producers have been growing the crops for years, however for others the prospect of pulse crops is new.

This year Winkler says there is a lot of interest in growing chickpeas. He advises those considering planting a pulse crop to get their seed as soon as possible before companies run out. He says there is a seed shortage so securing that seed by mid-December is your best bet. Winkler also talked about the importance of inoculation which is a bacterium applied to seeds before planting. He said inoculation is

essential to grain production.

He then went on to examine the management of disease. “Pulse crops come with their own disease. Building varieties can help mitigate the disease cycle.” Among the diseases outlined were aphanomyces fusarium and ascochyta. Winkler said aphanomyces is not a huge problem, but lentils are susceptible. Fusarium was another he discussed. Winkler pointed out that some of these spores can live up to 20 years underground dormant. According to Winkler ascochyta is the most economically important disease. “It moves fast, can kill an entire crop and affect quality and yield.” He recommends producers take advantage of the Montana State Seed Lab for testing if concerned about disease. “All pulse crops get ascochyta but there are many different types so it’s important to understand the various species.”

Next Winkler talked pulse crop marketing. He projected the strong possibility of China buying lentils for the United States. He touched on supply and demand and the growing concern among some producers on over production of pulse crops. “The pulse crop market is not going to be affected by what is happening in the Golden Triangle in regards to overproduction. What will determine the market is what happens in the rest of world.” Pulses are grown in virtually every corner of the globe.

In the past three decades, global pulse production has grown rapidly. As of last year the world's biggest producers of pulses were India, Canada, Myanmar, China, Nigeria, Brazil, Australia, USA, Russia, and Tanzania, while the world's most important pulse exporters also include Argentina, France, Ethiopia, and Turkey.“We could seed every acre of the Golden Triangle, and not run the risk of overproducing, the demand is there.”

Jeff Winkler can be reached at Mountain View’s Fort Benton location. A big thank you to Jeff for providing such helpful information and to Chouteau County Farmers Union for hosting and helping to organize the event!

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THIS HOLIDAY SEASON MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY DONATING TO MY STUDENT IN NEED DAV E S N U G G S FAC I L I T E S D I R E C TO R

From the creator of My Neighbor in Need, www.mystudentinneed.org is a website that provides a private and nurturing way for teachers and faculty members to ask for help for a student in need. It’s also a way for the community to give back.

My Student in Need was founded in 2013 by Montana Farmers Union and Facilities Director Dave Snuggs. The confidential online 501c3, tax-exempt nonprofit provides a list of approved items to students in need including: school clothes, winter jackets, winter gloves, school supplies, bus transit passes, backpacks, sports equipment, some camp fees, personal hygiene supplies, and even lice shampoo.

A teacher posts the required need on the website. Student names are never used. In fact, only the teacher or faculty member making the request knows the identity of the student. If a donor decides to participate they simply log on to the website and either input their contact information into the website or call My Student in Need directly at 406-7502542. The donor chooses to either provide the needed item(s) or make a financial donation to My Student in Need where the staff emails an electronic gift card to the teacher to share with the student. The teacher then accompanies the student to the store to buy the selected item or the teacher buys it online and presents it to the student in a private, nurturing way. With the arrival of cold weather the biggest request is for warm apparel such as coats, gloves, hats and snow boots/pants. If you would like to help, please call My Student in Need and make a donation of winter apparel or a financial contribution and we will buy the needed items. My Student in Need is currently offered in over 160 schools throughout Montana – at no charge to the school or the student.

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DECEMBER 2016

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A.W. Baack Farm celebrates centennial

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DECEMBER 2016

CELEBRATE AG - MSU ECONOMISTS DISCUSS CATTLE PRICES, CROP MARKETS AND AG LOANS B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O C O M M U N I C AT I O N S D I R E C TO R

Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, MSU College of Ag students and members of the college gathered for the annual Celebrate Agriculture event hosted by the College of Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. The college’s Ag Ambassadors were emcees of the scholarship dinner to kick off the two day event.

the exception,” said Jenzen. “ It he said is that the character of is better to spur demand for con- the person applying for the loan sistent and durable qualities val- will be less of a deciding factor. ued by many consumers.”

That afternoon concluded with The next speaker was Eric Belas- two breakout sessions on potato co. He talked about the cattle mar- and virus and seed potato cerket and four major prices spikes tification, the Montana Poverty in the last 100 years. He reported Report Card and a session on the that cattle prices are slightly be- Agricultural Profitability Project low the long-run average and that under the Montana Research and it is a cyclical response. Accord- Economic Development Initiaing to Belasco the prices will start tive. to rebound when feeder-to-fed price ratio falls back to normal.

He predicted future growth likely to come from international markets and the trade balance is expected to equalize in future years.

He said a few keys to the cattle market rebounding are: better innovation, the rebuilding of Oklahoma and Texas and trade with Canada. He noted that one of the challenges is striking a balance of labeling that consumers want that also works for producers.

The 2016-2017 Outstanding Ag Leader award was presented to Jim Hagenbarth who was recognized for his work with the working group for the Interagency Bison Management Plan. Hagenbarth has testified before the U.S. Congress regarding Montana’s cattle and bison interactions and brucellosis. The event also acknowledged over 200 students who received scholarships. Montana Farmers Union is proud to be a sponsor the event and con- Following Belasco, Gary Brester tribute to the scholarship fund. outlined bank regulations and the potential for an increase in comOn Friday MSU hosted the annu- petition for agricultural loans. al Agricultural Economics Out- Glacier Bancorp is the largest look Conference at Procrastina- bank in Montana. He talked about tor Theatre. Among the notable the importance of bank regulaspeakers were faculty from the tion to protect consumers, supuniversity’s Department of Ag- port truth in lending, depositor ricultural Economics including protection and to protect stock Joe Janzen, Eric Belasco, Gary holders. Brester outlined the unBrester, Jayson Lusk and Vincent intended impacts of diversificaSmith. tion, which in some cases can mean good news for producers.

Joe Janzen talked about the fu- According to Brester agricultural ture and trends of global crop loans have relatively low risks of markets and the decline of com- default especially in respect to modity prices. He did forecast re- other lending sectors. “ It is likely cord high prices for lentils. As an that competition for agricultural example of a trend verses a fad loans will increase as others seek he examined the gluten-free mar- diversification, for producers ket. He said storage, not produc- you could see more competition tion is the key when understand- for your loan business.” He went ing when prices will significantly on to say that loan decisions will increase. “ Low ( inflation-adjust- likely be less “local” and more ed) crop prices are the norm, not “formula” based. One downside

Eric Belasco forecasts cattle market

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Jim Hagenbarth - 2016 - 2017 Outstanding Ag Leader

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DECEMBER 2016

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

their membership. This includes discounts to various businesses and services, educational opportunities at the state and national level, camps for youth, leadership training for adults and youth, legislative representation at state and national levels, along with many other benefits for being a member.

JUSTIN LOCH M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R

Membership is the most vital part of Montana Farmers Union.

Without members our organization would not be where it is today, supporting and working for the family farm for over 100 years.

Montana Farmers Union works to be the voice and supporter of those involved in agriculture. Agriculture is a tough and vulnerable profession, and at MFU we want members to know we are here to try and help lessen the burden.

idea behind this is to recruit more members to Montana Farmers Union, but also reward those who take the time to recruit the most members to MFU. We are offering quarterly cash awards through separate programs for general members and insurance agents.

The rules are pretty simple and are stated below. Our office will track the new members coming in and publish the current standings for both members and insurance agents on our website. Awards will be paid out at the end of every quarter. Participants can win more than once!

Membership is recruited in a variety of ways at Montana Farmers Union. Insurance agents work to sign-up new members when issuing policies. Members join when signing their kids up for camp programs. Adult education programs work to recruit new members by opening up events to the public.

Membership Drive Board members work to recruit Farmers Union Insurance members in their area. Trade Agents Quarterly shows and fairs work to present Recruitment Contest: MFU information to the public in hopes of attracting new memJan-March $1000 bers. And lastly, you the members April-June $1000 work to recruit family and friends July-Sept. $1000 to join Montana Farmers Union.

Oct-Dec. $1000

MFU Members Quarterly Recruitment Contest: January-March April-June July-Sept.

Oct-Dec.

$500 $500 $500 $500

To qualify member must recruit at least five new members for the quarter.

We hope that all members and insurance agents will join in this effort throughout the year. Not only will this help grow our organization, but also give new members a chance to have Montana Farmers Union be a voice for them. Thanks for all you do as members and agents. Montana Farmers Union is Montana’s oldest and one of the most respected organizations at both the state and national level because of you!

Montana Farmers Union works Hope you all enjoy your holiday hard each day to gain new mem- Recently we at MFU came up To qualify the agent must recruit season with family and friends. bers. In doing so, we work to with the idea to have a member- at least 10 new members for the provide members with value in ship drive starting in January. The quarter.

A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR JON TESTER listening session last month. With your help, I want to work with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to make sure the next Farm Bill works for family farms and ranches.

derstands the unique needs of rural America and the importance Montana’s number one industry.

After all there is a big difference between New York City and Miles City.

And the only way we can do that is by ensuring Montana has a seat at the table to discuss what has been working and what can be done better.

Now that markets are below the cost of production, wheat prices are at a decade low, and ranchers are still rebounding from last year’s cattle price plunge it’s more important than ever to ensure It’s important that we put aside Montana farmers have a voice in As you know, the Farm Bill is ex- political differences and provide Washington. piring in 2018 and Congress will certainty for producers. But the begin drafting a new bill next current political landscape has Though I do not believe the Farm year. That’s why I was pleased shifted and we’ll need to make Bill is the only answer for some many of you brought ideas to my sure President-elect Trump un- of the challenges we are facing 9

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today, it does give certainty to the farmers and ranchers who endure risk every day and each year. We need to work together to ensure the next farm bill bolsters safety net programs, invests in research and focuses on improving conservation programs.

Together, we will write a Farm Bill that creates jobs and supports Montana agriculture.

If you have ideas about how to do this please email me at: Far mBillComments@tester.senate.gov.

Pr 1 2 S Tr R S Pa

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BFI GROUP TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA

JUSTIN LOCH M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R

Recently myself and Amanda Schaub, of Havre, attended the second session of the Beginning Farmers Institute program in Salinas California.

The BFI program is sponsored by FUE, National Farmers Union, CHS and Farm Credit Services.

The BFI program develops leadership and farm management skills in beginning farmers and additionally encourages them to apply those abilities in their community organizations. Farmers Union employs educational sessions, business tools, and professional speakers in a structured setting that includes on-farm experiences and tours of cooperatives. There are 17 participants in

this year’s class making it the larg est BFI class since the program started. Participants come from Montana, New York, Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Iowa, West Virginia, Minnesota and Nebraska. Each participant comes from a different background ranging from conventional farming practices and livestock, organic vegetable farming and livestock, and even a hops producer.

November 4-5 the BFI class gathered for a packed couple days of education and tours around Salinas California. The first day was at ALBA which is the Agriculture and Land Based Training Association. Here we learned about a program that helps train new and beginning farmers while providing them access to land for up to 4 years. During this time the goal is to help give farmers guidance, training, and hopefully fine tune their marketing and farming practices. After that hopefully farmers will have been able to acquire some of their own land through lease as land in that area is extremely expensive to buy. We met for some classroom time here as well to learn more on marketing products within our group, grant writing, the Farmer Veteran Coalition Program, and Farmlink to discuss land and capital access. Dinner that night was at a restaurant/store called Happy Girl Kitchen that prepared and

DECEMBER 2016

sold homemade products. It was an outstanding fresh food dinner complete with vegetable lasagna, steamed veggies, salad, and homemade cobbler for dessert.

was every acre on his place made him money. Each crop and cover crop was strategically planted so that the best use of land and resources was used. He had a very good personality and was full of Saturday the class spent the day great advice, not to mention he hitting the road and visited four gave us fresh vegetables and fruit. different farms in the area. These His strawberrys and blueberries farms all varied in size and prod- were to die for! ucts. The first stop was the Hain Ranch which was a midsize wal- We ended our last session with a nut and pastured poultry farm. trip to a seafood restaurant for Second we stopped at Pinnacle dinner next to the ocean. Our Organics Ranch which actually group has become close. Even had two large farms. Here they though we may come from difraised organic vegetables and sup- ferent backgrounds we have all plied to grocery stores and sup- learned something from each othpliers. We got a first-hand look er and have become a supporter at their compost practices as well of what we are all trying to do in as a tour of the facility. Third we the world of agriculture. went to Coke Farms. This again was a large scale organic vegeta- BFI is a great program for any ble farm. Here we toured mostly person regardless of age, type of their distribution center and got agriculture, or experience. The to see some of the crops as well. cost for this program is very minIt was a very educational tour, es- imal. The friends you will make, pecially from a distribution stand experiences, and education you point. Lastly we toured JSM Or- receive will far exceed any expecganics. This was probably the tations. So please take the time to highlight of the tours as we got apply! You won’t regret it. If you to see a man’s operation that went have questions about this prothrough the beginning farmer pro- gram, please call me at the MFU gram at ALBA and in four short office. years acquired 60 acres of his own land and had six workers he employed. He has become highly successful selling to farmers markets and some retailers. His farm had flowers, vegetables, and fruit.

The amazing part about his place

MFU YOUNG PRODUCER CONFERENCE: March 24-25 Havre, MT Registration opens in February. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter for updates!

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V O L U M E 2 7

DECEMBER 2016

MONTANA RANCHERS COMPLETE 200-MILE RELAY IN HAWAII This year, the team faced a new B Y RYA N G O O D M A N

Twelve runners, two vehicles and 200(ish) miles. Each year, the Montana Running Ranchers tackle this journey with a different race in the Ragnar Relay series. 2016’s race took the team to the Hawaiian Islands for a hot and windy race.

Despite being short one runner, MRR succeeded and finished in the top 5% out of nearly 300 participating teams from across the country. To run 200 miles with 11 runners, is no easy feat. Add in tropical moisture, several thousand feet of elevation climb and mid-day heat over fields of black lava rock, and the Ragnar Relay Hawaii proved to be one of the most challenging races completed in recent years for the Montana Running Ranchers.

As usual, the Running Ranchers represented Montana and their ranching communities well. Relay teams from across the country complemented the team’s vehicles (decorated with brands from supporting ranches) and upbeat spirit during the race. Of course, handing out samples of Hi-Country Beef Jerky, aided in bringing smiles to hungry, tired runners throughout the night and into the second day.

brands on the vans and inquire about how their food is grown.

The ranchers meet vegans, vegchallenge by starting at the back etarians and consumers with a vaof the pack. Ragnar Relay stag- riety of diet choices; encounters gers runners, with the slowest which almost always are cordial teams beginning at 5 a.m. and the and spark a positive feeling on a fastest team starting at noon. The sometimes-combative topic.

Running Ranchers were awarded a start time of 11:30 a.m., which This year’s team left a piece of meant they were bringing up the Montana on the island after meetrear throughout most of the first ing a local rancher who asked to third of the course. However, display the Team Beef Montana overnight, the team made up logo on his stock trailer, somemuch time on slower teams as the thing that will surely spark fun course moved into steep climbs conversation on many future ocon the north side of Hawaii. By casions. sunrise, the team was near middle of the pack and passing slower The Montana Running Ranchers teams on a frequent basis. team consists primarily of ranchNearing the finish line, teams ers from across Montana. 2016 found themselves amidst fields runners include: Evelyn Halvof black lava rock in mid-day erson from Big Timber, Heathheat. With temperatures nearing er Fryer from Hobson, Christy the low-90s, the guys brought the Pletan from Harlowton, Sarah Montana Running Ranchers to Nash from Harlowton, Christy the final miles with a finish time Gerdes from Huntley, Billie Jo of just over 30 hours to place Holzer from Moccasin, Dustin 16th overall.

Ladenburger from Stratton, NE, Ed Rollins from Ione, OR, RobThe journey wasn’t all about es- ert Majerus from White Sulphur caping early-season snow and Springs, Ian Morse from Spokane, running in the tropics for this WA and Ryan Goodman from Montana team. The Ragnar Re- Helena. lays offer a unique opportunity to connect with a few thousand run- Many thanks go to area ranches ners and leave positive impres- and agriculture business supsions about beef and ranching. porting the Montana Running Throughout the journey, several Ranchers and their advocacy runners approached the team to work throughout the year. Preask about Team Beef jersey, ranch miere sponsors include: Gold

Team Photo L to R: Heather Fryer, Billie Jo Holzer, Ian Morse, Dustin Ladenburger, Ed Rollins, Christy Pletan, Robert Majerus, Sarah Nash, Evelyn Halverson, Ryan Goodman, Christy Gerdes]

Photo Credit: Ryan Goodman 11

– Montana Beef Council; Silver – Montana Farmers Union; Bronze – Northwest Farm Credit Services, HFM Foodservice, and Hi-Country Beef Jerky; Qualifier – Western Livestock Reporter, Meagher County CattleWomen, B Bar M Ranch, and Nash Land and Livestock; AgriBusiness – Northern Ag Network, VIP Livestock Marketing, Sunshine Apiary, Pioneer Meats, Lincoln County (NE) Feedyard, Bank of Baker, Reilly Insurance, Bank of Eastern Oregon, Heli-Works Flights Services, and Indreland Angus; Ranch Brands – Earl and Glenna Stucky, Casey Coulter, Martin-Morse Livestock, 3C Cattle Co, LJ Switzer Ranch, Public Auction Yards, Wang Ranch, Bev and Ed Fryer, Castle Mountain Ranch, Gilbert and Julie Majerus, Mike and Debbie Hammond, Thomas Sparks, Chris and Tiffanie Labbe, Suze Bohleen, Ross Hansen Ranch, Bridger Creek Ranches, Mick Goettle, and Billie Jo Holzer.

To connect with the Montana Running Ranchers, visit bit.ly/mtrunningranchers or email mtrunningranchers@gmail.com. Everyone can follow team members’ efforts throughout the year on Facebook by joining the “Montana Running Ranchers/ Team Beef Montana” group.

OUR AGENTS LIVE AND WORK NEAR YOU.

Anaconda Stefanie Thompson 563.5991 Belgrade Craig Parker 388.6774 Billings Jim Mathews 656.2323 Billings Steve Plaggemeyer 294.9491 Billings Judd Long 252.9391 Bozeman Dean Derby 556.0893 Bozeman Trent Leintz 551.2163 Bozeman Art Hoffart 586.6230 Bridger Wesley Schwend 662.3930 Chester R. Gordon Elings 759.5065 Choteau Mathew Luedtke 466.5146 Circle Barbara Mothershead 485.3303 Conrad R. Gordon Elings 271.7047 Dillon Judy Siring 683.2365 Dutton Matt Luedtke Agency 476.3444 Fairfield Matt Luedtke Agency 467.3444 Fort Benton Robert Nelson 622.5053 Glasgow Del Hansen 228.2284 Great Falls Eric Hinebauch 453.8413 Great Falls Aeric Reilly 570-5853 Great Falls Faith Cardwell 268.0077 Great Falls Scott Walsh 761.2087 Great Falls Jeff Thill 452.7283 Hamilton Bryan Jones 363.6583 Hardin Melissa Wacker 665.1867

Havre Cindy Schubert 265.2693 Havre Susie LaSalle 265.3346 Helena Todd Crum 443.4630 Kalispell Randy Bloom 257.1252 Kalispell Charles Monroe 756.7720 Laurel Dallas Hagfeldt, Jr. 628.6649 Laurel Jeff Seborg 628.6649 Lewistown Tom McKenna 538.8736 Lewistown Raleigh Heitzman 538.8736 Libby Colleen Wood 293.6228 Livingston Daryl Hansen 222.7151 Malta Shane Anderson 654.1589 Miles City Tayler Kennedy 874.2560 Miles City Ron Watts 874.1804 Missoula Brad Bowman 721.2540 Missoula Pam Jacobsen 721.0599 Missoula Andre Marcure 543.7184 Plains Sally Miller 826.4633 Plentywood JR Johnson 765.2051 Ronan Andrew Luedtke 676.0173 Ryegate Audrey Stoican 568.2336 Sidney Cathy Hintz 488.8326 Terry Blayne Watts 635.5782 Thompson Falls Sally Miller 827.3221 Whitefish Rial Gunlikson 862.4700 Wolf Point Jesse Fleming 653.2200