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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 I O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N
HEMP SPROUTING UP AS NEW CROP IN MONTANA
BY CHRIS CHRISTIAENS P R O J E C T & L E G I S L AT I V E SPECIALIST
During the 2001 legislative session of the Montana Legislature, Senate Bill 261 was introduced and passed by both the members
of the Senate and House. The bill was signed by former Governor Judy Martz and the legislation joined Hawaii and North Dakota with laws allowing the growing and production of industrial hemp. Since that time we have worked with the Montana Department of Agriculture, our congressional delegation and the drug enforcement agency to be allowed to add this crop to the diversity of Montana producers. Since the bill passing in Montana other States have also passed laws allowing the growing of this crop.
PAID
GREAT FALLS, MT PERMIT NO. 93
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
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PAGE 5 2018 Farm Bill Predictions
EVENT EXAMINES POTENTIAL OF 2018 FARM BILL
Montana Farmers Union is getting a jumpstart on the 2018 Farm Bill conversation and more broadly on encouraging a stronger farmer to consumer connection. MFU held a Farm Bill informational session at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls in late June. In addition to talking about the expiration of the 2014 Farm Bill and projections for the 2018 Farm Bill, two panels of four industry experts talked about the ways the Farm Bill impacts the consumer. The panel included the Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture Ben Thomas, Director of the Montana Department of Livestock Mike Honeycutt, Lor-
PAGE 9 PAGE 18 Member Profile: Is Hemp the The Debruycker Future of Montana Agriculture? family
ianne Burhop with the Montana Food Bank Network, Brian Hoven of Hoven Equipment, Janet Smith and Rusty Cowan with Farm Service Agency, Matt Perdue of National Farmers Union and Jeff Dow of Farmers Union Insurance. The goal of the diversity of the panels was to provide education on the effects the Farm Bill has on rural Montana, producers, consumers and agribusiness. “The Farm Bill really should be called a food bill,” said Alan Merrill, MFU President. “The program was to inform the consumer of not only what it takes to make a successful Farm Bill, but also to teach the public on what farmers and ranchers go through. We certainly appreciate the panelists’ time and expertise. It made for great conversation and an excellent learning opportunity.” C O N T I N U E D PA G E 5