MFU Fall 2025

Welcome to

Montana Farmers Union Magazine

After a season of harvest through the longer days of Summer, Fall ushers in a season to deeply savor – the waning warmth of summer and the satisfaction of a harvest in the bin or neatly stacked hay.

Fall also offers an opportunity to refocus after the grind of summer – on strategic plans for the months and years ahead and on the recognition that we are not in the field alone.

Montana Farmers Union’s Annual State Convention showcases the best of what the power of belonging to an organization that aligns with your priorities means in real time to real people and provides the much-needed excuse and space to reconnect with others passionate about Montana agriculture.

The 110th Annual State Convention later this month in Lewistown will bring together farmers, ranchers, people building more resilient food supply systems, and communities who have taken advantage of the opportunities to learn, problem solve, build joyful and purposeful community, fund projects, and more through MFU.

Attend Convention to gain inspiration during pre-convention tours, skills and resources during educational programming, a year-round voice at the state and federal levels through policy debate, forward-thinking leadership through elections, and the professional and peer support to finalize long-term plans during the Family Farm Succession Planning Institute following Convention.

Everything at Convention provides connection to the most powerful thing available – each other – because long after Convention concludes, practical questions and community challenges remain. It’s a lot easier to navigate them – and celebrate the successes along the way – together.

MESSAGE

FRUIT PRODUCTION IN MONTANA BLENDS TRADITION, INNOVATION 7 GROWING UP AG 10

NATURE NURTURESTHE BEAUTY OF USING LAVENDER FOR HEALTH AND SELF CARE 12 COLD FRAMES FOR A COLD CLIMATE 14

PRAIRE PERKS OFFERS COMMUNITY WITH A SIDE OF COFFEE 16 FARM 2 TABLE 20

OF RECONCILIATION BILL ON MONTANA FARMERS

SUMMER CAMP OFFERS FUN INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE

RECONNECTION AFTER GRIND SEASONS CRITICAL TO HEALTH OF RURAL COMMUNITIES

OF

Message from the President

by MFU

President Walter Schweitzer

MFU continues to advocate for the reinstatement of mandatory country of origin labeling. Senate majority leader John Thune and Senator Cory Booker have reintroduced a MCOOL bill that Jon Tester introduced last session. Congresswoman Harriet Von Hageman from Wyoming plans to introduce a similar MCOOL bill on the House side. It is encouraging to have bipartisan support and GOP sponsors. When MCOOL was repealed in 2015, it was mostly on a party line vote with most of the Republicans voting to repeal MCOOL and most of the Democrats voting to keep MCOOL. The vote to reinstate MCOOL has died on a party line vote ever since. This session might be different because some key Republicans have announced their support for MCOOL and it very much aligns with American First rhetoric.

During the August recess I was able to schedule meetings with congressmen Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke. Members of the MT COOL coalition participated in these meetings. This coalition includes Montana Cattlemen’s Association, United States Cattlemen’s Association, R-CALF, NFO, Abundant Montana, Northern Plains Resource Council, and MFU.

We met with Congressman Downing at MT Premium Processing Co-op in Havre (pictured below). After introductions we asked Downing to share with us concerns he has been hearing from the opposition. He first said he wished all the livestock groups could be united on MCOOL. We explained that the NCBA represents the packers and not having MCOOL benefits the large packers in Mexico and Canada at the expense of the producers and consumers.

He asked why Farm Bureau and the Stockgrowers are opposed. Our response was most of their members support COOL, and it is in their policy, but they receive funds from the NCBA and packers; therefore, their leadership is conflicted.

Downing asked if it will be difficult for packers to segregate the different country’s meat and make it more expensive for consumers. Our response is that they already regularly segregate natural, organic, grass fed, and other products to meet those labeling requirements. The USDA requires that they clean down their entire processing line daily and can change products at that time. Segregating by country of origin will actually provide a cheaper option for consumers.

Right now, packers import cheap scraps from Mexico and Brazil to mix in with U.S. beef. They can then put a” Product of USA” label on the package to make more money. If they were forced to have truth-in-labeling, they could package it as Mexican beef and still make money charging less for it. He also heard that a lot of Montana calves go north of the border and asked how MCOOL would impact that business.

The coalition thinks consumers are less concerned about Canadian beef than Mexican or South American beef as the Canadians have much the same standards of production as the U.S. Considering the current tariff trade war, most of Montana’s calves will be finished and processed in Canada, then shipped to the markets we have lost because of the trade wars.

A member of the coalition asked Congressman Downing if he had any good reasons not to support MCOOL — he didn’t. But he wanted to know who benefits from not having MCOOL. Really only the large packers, Mexico, Brazil, South America, and Africa benefit, because currently the packers can mislead consumers into paying more for an inferior product. He said he will have his staff research the issue, and he will visit Hageman’s office to discuss her MCOOL bill.

After the meeting we toured MPPC. We found out that Congressman Downing grew up working in his grandfather’s butcher shop and had firsthand knowledge of meat processing.

Later that week, we met with Congressman Zinke (pictured below) at his home in Whitefish. Our conversation with him was very similar to the conversation we had with Congressman Downing, again communicating many of the key points of MCOOL. He said he would check with his colleagues to seek their input. We encouraged him to visit with Congresswoman Hageman, senators JohnThune, Mike Rounds, John Hoeven, and Cynthia Lummis as they are leaders from neighboring states who support MCOOL.

The MTCOOL coalition plans to continue to advocate for MCOOL. If you would like to send a letter or email of support to our congressional delegation, go to mtcool.org for more information.

MONTANA FARMERS UNION

PO BOX 2447

300 RIVER DRIVE NORTH, STE 1

GREAT FALLS, MT 59403

PHONE: (406) 452-6406

1-800-234-4071

FAX: (406) 727-8216

mfu@montanafarmersunion.com www.montanafarmersunion.com

Board of Directors:

Walter Schweitzer, President

Erik Somerfeld, Vice President, Power

John Ferrat, DIstrict 1, Toston

Rollie Schlepp, District 2, Conrad

Jeff Bangs, At-Large Director, District 1 & 2, Inverness

Sarah Degn, District 3, Sidney

Brett Dailey, District 4, Jordan

April Martin, District 3 & 4, At Large, Busby

Trent Stoltz, District 5, Pompeys Pillar

Mark Siderius, District 6, Kalispell

Ben Peterson, District 5 & 6, At-Large Director, Judith Gap

MFU Staff:

Walter Schweitzer, President

Jan Johnson, Office Mgr., Assistant Secretary/Treasurer

Kari Kester, Administrative Assistant

Rachel Prevost, Government Affairs Director/ Member Svcs.

Heather Link, Communications Director

Jodi Koterba, Education Director & Ambassador

Alice Miller, Press Relations Specialist

Andrea Rutledge, Social Media Associate

Samantha Ferrat, Membership Ambassador

Carissa McNamara, Membership Ambassador

Mary Jenni, Membership Ambassador

Montana Caise, Membership Ambassador

Julie Gagnon, Data Coordinator

Amber Fladland, Education Associate

Bella Folino, MFU Associate

Lauren Crowder, Intern

Copyright © Montana Farmers Union, 2025 MFU Magazine is the official publication of the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, Montana Division.

MFU reserves the right to reject any advertisements. Membership: $50.00 per year

Montana Farmers Union Magazine is published quarterly.

Editors: Heather Link & Alice Miller

Layout & Design: Heather Link

Copy Editors: Alice Miller, Jan Johnson & Heather Link

Montana Farmers Union is the oldest and largest family farm organization in the state who represents family farmers and ranchers.

MFU is working for family farms, ranches, & rural communities and supports its members through: strong education programs for both youth and adults, advocating member-driven policies & legislation at the state and federal level, and cooperation through producer-owned co-ops.

Top left: Grapes are grown at Township Road Farm near Billings.

Middle left: Township Road Farm is located near Billings. Larry and Christie Walsh grow a variety of fruits, including berries, grapes, and apples.

Bottom left: Tiffany Sybert purchased Cherrywood Orchard in 2021. Using regenerative farming practices, she grows sweet cherries. Skeena cherries are shown here.

Background: Grapes grow at the Township Road Farm near Billings. Christie and Larry Walsh purchased the property in 2002 and now grow a variety of fruits and berries.

Fruit producti in M tana blends aditi , inn ati

Stroy & Photos By Bella Folino, MFU Associate

Montana is known for its vast rangeland, which is ideal for cattle and grain, but not necessarily for fruit. Harsh winters and short growing seasons can make fruit production a challenge. Even so, fruit has been a part of Montana’s agricultural identity since the pioneers.

In the late 1800s, apple orchards were taking hold in the Bitterroot, leading to a brief but ambitious “apple boom.” Local growers marketed the region as ideal for apples, and there was even a push to become a national competitor in apple exports. However, the boom didn’t last due to transportation limitations, pests, and extreme weather. After a severe freeze in the early 1900s, many orchards were abandoned or replaced by other crops.

While Montana’s climate may never position it as a high-volume fruit powerhouse, the state is cultivating a reputation for innovation. Producers and researchers continue to develop creative strategies to overcome harsh winters, late frosts, and short growing seasons. These efforts have allowed fruit to claim its place in Montana’s agritourism industry, where visitors can experience orchards firsthand and take home a taste of the state through fresh fruit, artisan jams, or locally crafted wines. Montana’s strength lies in its resilience to adversity — proving that even in tough climates, growth is possible.

A majority of fruit production occurs in the Bitterroot and Flathead valleys. The Flathead Valley, in particular, benefits from the lake effect of Flathead Lake, which moderates temperatures by absorbing and slowly releasing heat, which results in cooler summers and warmer winters. While a variety of fruits can grow here, the region is especially famous for its sweet cherries, protected from extreme cold by the lake’s influence.

Driving around Flathead Lake, mixed into the beauty of the area, is a flurry of signs promoting cherries. Cherrywood Orchard, owned and operated by Tiffany Sybert, is one of these orchards keeping Montana’s cherry-growing tradition alive. The orchard, located in Bigfork, spans three acres and boasts 840 trees, with a focus on sweet cherries.

“We purchased an existing orchard almost five years ago in January 2021,” Sybert said. “Since we started, our goal has been on regenerative agriculture.”

Regenerative agriculture is a method of farming that emphasizes soil health, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling. At Cherrywood Orchard, a range of soil-enriching practices, including worm casting slurries and cover cropping, are used to improve soil structure, promote microbial life, and enhance water retention — all of which strengthen natural nutrient cycling within the orchard ecosystem.

Continued on next page

Cherrywood Orchard in Bigfork focuses on sweet cherries and regenerative farming practices.

Continued from previous page

The orchard follows a U-Pick model, inviting guests to explore the rows of cherry trees and pick their own fruit. This combines two of Montana’s biggest industries, agriculture and tourism.

“It is so great to invite people not in the agriculture world to see what we have in our backyard,” Sybert said. “I love to tell them that items they throw in the compost bins at (Glacier National Park) will go to our partner, Dirt Rich. They make great compost that we use on our trees. We all contribute to the cycle.”

To keep pace with a growing business, Cherrywood is building an on-site processing facility and commercial kitchen. This will allow them to increase fruit processing capacity while reducing transportation costs, waste, and energy use.

“It will take a year or two to get a flow and iron things out and see where it takes us,” said Sybert. “It will enable us to narrow the gap between harvest and everything else. We will be able to be a self-sufficient property and our own distributor.”

Fruit producti in s prising locati s

While climate in the Bitterroot and Flathead valleys lend themselves best to fruit production, some fruit farmers are pushing boundaries in less traditional locations.

Christie and Larry Walsh founded Township Road Farm near Billings in 2002. Their property was originally five acres of alfalfa, but The Walshes had a different vision.

“My husband didn’t get the 20 acres he originally wanted, but we got our five,” Christie said. “He said we would fill it up eventually. And we did. We started with a lot of things the state offered at a low cost. We ended up with so many sandcherries that we went from making jams to wine. Then we got the idea to do all wine grapes. We thought it would be great for wine hobbyists to experience picking themselves.”

“This region is great for hitting enough heat degree days for the grapes,” Larry explained, “but the grapes just can’t handle the winters in our region, and they start from the ground every season.”

Township Road Farm now grows a variety of fruits, including cherries, raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries, haskaps, elderberries, chokecherries, aronia, saskatoons, sea berries, grapes, apples, and currants.

“Larry and I are really collectors,” Christie said. “We collect berry plants. I find five acres of one plant a bit boring.”

Looking ahead, the Walshes hope to shift their model to include U-Pick opportunities.

“We want people to be able to walk around and try any berries they see,” Larry said. “We want people to explore things they haven’t seen before.”

Cultivating rese ch and educati

Both Sybert and the Walshes are members of Montana Farmers Union, and said the grassroots organization provides community and educational resources.

“We have been members since 2023,” Christie said. “Just this last February, I went to the Women’s Conference. Usually when I tell people I grow fruit they don’t take me as a serious farmer. When I talked to people at the conference about my farm they were really excited.”

“All professions have continuing education in their own way,” Sybert said. “And MFU provides that for our profession and for those who are just interested in expanding their personal knowledge.”

Like any farm, fruit production comes with its own challenges. These depend on the variety of fruit, as well as the region. Fruit production in Montana is challenging primarily because of the state’s climate and high variable local conditions.

The short growing season and a high risk of late-spring and early-fall frosts can kill blossoms or immature fruits. Cold, long winters also create the risk of winter injury to trees and shrubs.

To combat these challenges, research is consistently done to develop new best practices for the state’s unique conditions.

“Western Ag Research Center does a lot of our fruit research,” Christie said. “If we have any questions, they are a great resource. It was through their research we learned about haskaps and now we have a variety of cultivars planted.”

Montana State University’s Western Agriculture Research Center is the main MSU research center focused on horticulture. The center was established in Corvallis in 1907 during the apple boom in the Bitterroot Valley.

“Our projects have really picked up in the last 10 years when our superintendent, Zach Miller, came on the site,” said Bridgid Jarrett, WARC’s research associate. “A lot of our recent research focus has been on nutraceuticals. This driving factor is because people are interested in purchasing these, which means it might be a great market for our producers to get into.”

Among their successes, haskaps, also known as honeyberries, have stood out.

“Honeyberries have been the star of the show because they grow great and are tasty,” Jarrett said. “There seems to be a growing market for value-added honeyberry products as well.”

The research done at the facility is aimed at high-value specialty crops, fruit and vegetable production, local food security and increasing sustainability and economic returns for small acreage operations. For growers, this type of research is critical because it reduces personal financial risk.

“Most farmers do not have the money to support their own research and development,” Jarrett said. “With our funding, we can afford to fail and report our findings without it destroying our livelihood.”

While the center is located in the Bitterroot Valley, the research is meant to be applicable to Montana as a whole. To achieve this, fieldwork is carefully structured to ensure reliable results.

“We have multiple plots spread out to see how they will be affected by different environments,” said Jarrett. “The replication gives us a higher percent of certainty that our research will be consistent. We have plots at research centers in Kalispell and Bozeman and on a farm in Helena so we can track how they respond in different parts of the state as well.”

The research facility exists to serve Montana growers, providing guidance and resources to support their success. Its goal is to share knowledge widely so as many people as possible can benefit from the findings.

“I love seeing all of it come together,” Jarrett said. “I’m a lab person in general, but I love being out in the field. The most rewarding part is the people we meet. People can call and email anytime and we can help with anything from what fruits to plant, how to grow them, and how to store and process this produce, from start to finish.”

Research helps producers blend tradition with success. For Sybert – and others – their orchards are more than a business; they are a way to connect passion with family history.

“It means so much to us because my great-grandparents were farmers,” said Sybert. “I loved hearing the stories. I knew it was a lot of work, but the passion that came through the stories was clear. We are so lucky to be able to continue that as a family.”

include

Top: Cherrywood Orchard owner and operator Tiffany Sybert is shown in the orchard. She purchased the Bigfork orchard in 2021 and grows sweet cherries using regenerative farming practices.

Bottom: Christie and Larry Walsh produce a variety of fruits at Township Road Farm near Billings. The couple started the farm in 2002 and hope to expand to

U-pick opportunities in the future.

By Lauren Crowder, MFU Intern

Growing Up Ag

I am a fifth-generation rancher on my family’s ranch in Central Montana. From a young age, I raised my own herd of cattle alongside my family’s, and my passion for agriculture was instilled early. Living the daily realities of ranch life has given me a deep and personal understanding of the challenges and successes that farmers and ranchers face in rural communities.

I have been involved in 4-H for as long as I can remember. From starting as a Cloverbud making crafts at Project Demo Day to serving as an Ambassador planning county meetings and activities, 4-H has shaped who I am. It has fueled my passion for agriculture while also strengthening my problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and ability to adapt. Most importantly, 4-H has given me confidence in public speaking and sharpened my leadership and organizational abilities. I know I would not be the person I am today without the opportunities I’ve had through both 4-H and agriculture.

Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from working alongside neighbors and friends—early mornings catching horses to gather cows, long, cold days shipping, and warm spring days of branding.Agriculture has taught me that there is always an incredible bond between friends, neighbors, and even strangers who step up in times of need.A helping hand goes a long way, and I have seen firsthand the strength of these connections in rural communities.

This year, I will return to the University of Providence to continue pursuing my degree in Business, while also working at Montana Farmers Union. My work there provides me with valuable firsthand experience in an organization dedicated to advocating for family farms and ranchers. I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a place where community means everything, and I am truly grateful to have been raised in agriculture.

Photos provided by Lauren Crowder

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Growing up surrounded by horses, cattle, and alfalfa, the vision of lavender fields didn’t exist in any of our family’s imaginations. Now, standing back looking over a field of 4,000 plants at Wild Horse Lavender in Plains, we can’t imagine our lives without this amazing flower.

The greatest gift of lavender on the farm has been how much community it has brought to our doorstep. We ourselves wonder frequently what it is about this little fragrant flower that brings folks from all over to run their hands through the plants and stand in the fields. Is it the aromatherapy and medicinal properties. Maybe it’s the bewildering allure of all purple fields? Or maybe it’s the 2,500 years of people through history using lavender. Either way, we are humbled by each visitor who finds their own connection to this wonderful plant.

Our most frequent question on the farm is, “What are the best uses for lavender?” Because we live with lavender day in and day out, we take for granted that not everyone knows all the possibilities.

We hope, with some helpful tips, you will not just press your nose into the bouquet or sachet and end your journey with the smell but also become acquainted with how valuable this amazing flower can be.

We use lavender on the farm in three ways: the plant before distillation, the oil, and then the hydrosol (which is the byproduct of distilling the oil). The distillation of lavender is an art, and the buds are rich with oil, which we cherish the most.

We have seen the simplest of culinary dishes turn into something both beautiful and nourishing by using lavender. A simple lavender syrup can be made with the buds to

The beauty of using lavender for health and self-care

By Carissa McNamara, Owner/operator of Wild Horse Lavender

be used in cookies, frostings, or – our favorite – a white chocolate lavender latte. Lavender salts, and herb de Provence are also popular, and of course lavender teas. Dried lavender buds are our favorite to be used in dryer bags, sachets for drawers and luggage, or to soak in a bath.

Once the lavender buds have gone through the steam distillation process, we are ready to use the oil in a variety of ways. Topically, there are many benefits of using lavender oil. It can be applied to burns, help reduce pain and scarring, as an insect repellent, inflammation reducer, relieve muscle aches, joint pain and headaches, and relieve dry skin. A few drops on your pillow at night promotes relaxation and calm.

A friend of ours shared how much our lavender oil meant to his recovery after heart surgery. He bought a few ounces of pure lavender oil, and each evening would rub it across his heart and the scar on his chest to promote calm and reduce pain and scaring.

The final stage of the distillation process is separating the hydrosol from the oil. Hydrosol is the by-product of making the oil and is extremely versatile. Because of its disinfecting, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, lavender hydrosol is our top choice as an all-purpose house cleaner, facial toner, room spray, sunburn remedy, after-shower hair rinse, wound spray for livestock and pets, and as an insect repellent for flowers and greenhouse plants.

For us, lavender completes the connection with the nature of nurturing plants. Tending to the details of our souls doesn’t just restore our own well-being, it helps restore the well-being of all of those around us, and lavender is a nurturing and useful tool for helping do these things.

Photos Courtesy of Katelyn Christensen & Wild Horse Lavendar

Lavender Simple Syrup

1 C water

1 C sugar

4 Tbs dried culinary lavender buds

Enjoy this favorite use of lavender from Wild Horse Lavender at home in cookies, over ice cream, in lemonade, to flavor your coffee, or wherever your imagination takes you!

Combine water, sugar, and lavender in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer until sugar is fully dissolved. Cover and remove from heat; allow to steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain the lavender and pour the syrup into a clean glass jar.

Cold Frames for a Cold Climate

By Jasmine Krotkov, Master Gardener

If there‘s one thing I’ve learned from gardening in Montana, it’s to never trust the weather.

They say that there is “no bad weather, only bad clothes.”

In a Montana garden, the “clothes” protecting plants from unseasonable snowstorms and early or late frosts are cold frames: rudimentary plant forcing structures with no heat added.Think of them as mini-greenhouses that you can make with spare parts that are lying around the farm or homestead.

A cold frame can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be, but make sure you put it where it has a good southern exposure to maximize sunlight and where it has protection from the wind. Place it near a north or northwest windbreak, whether that be a building, a tight board fence, an evergreen hedge, or a bales of straw or hay.The site should have good natural drainage, be near enough to be given frequent attention, and have access to water.

temperatures in the frame should be adjusted for the type of plants involved. Cool-season crops like lettuce, onions, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower prefer an air temperature of 65-70 during the day and 55-60 at night.Warm season crops like tomato, pepper, eggplant, melons, squash, cucumber and many garden flowers prefer air temperatures of 65-75 degrees during the day and no less than 60 at night.

In the cold frame, little temperature control is possible, aside from opening the frame to ventilate during the day and covering it at night.The trick is to get the right plants started at the right time, and hope for the right weather! When opening the sash of the frame for ventilation, be sure to open it on the side away from the wind. Little water is needed when the plants are small and the temperature is cool, but as the season progresses, you’ll need to water more, and open the sash for ventilation more.Always allow the soil surface to dry between waterings.

The simplest cold frame is a frame placed on the ground with a ventilation lid that opens, covered in plastic, glass, or polycarbonate greenhouse panels.A blanket can be thrown over the top at night to retain heat from the day.Another option is to partially bury the cold frame, so that the earth insulates the walls.You can also put your board frame on top of a flat pile of manure 8-9 feet wide and 18-24 inches deep. Additional manure can be banked around the sides of the frame for insulation and heat retention. Manure provides heat from the microbial activity of decomposition. If you don’t have that much manure available, you can pack smaller amounts of manure in a pit beneath the frame.Another way to turn your cold frame into a hotbed is to heat it with electric cables or a light bulb.

However the cold frame or hotbed is built, the goal is to create a soil temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is optimal for seed germination. Once the seeds have germinated,

Seeds have all the fertilizer they need to germinate, but if you grow lettuce or spinach to harvest in your cold frame, a little all-purpose, pelletized, slow-release organic fertilizer can’t hurt.Avoid chemical fertilizers that will accumulate salt in the soil. High nitrogen fertilizers will also encourage lush, soft plant growth that’s irresistible to pests.Aphids, whiteflies and other soft-bodied pests can be controlled with a simple soap solution, and by adequate ventilation to allow natural predators access to the pests.

Plants started indoors should be hardened in a cold frame before they are moved to the garden.This means gradually exposing them to sun and wind, by opening the sash wider and longer each day, and overnight, as temperatures allow.

Don’t be fooled by those warm weeks in April, however.The first time the cold frame saves your plants from a late spring freeze/snow event, you’ll know it was worth it!

Prairie Perks offers community with a side of coffee

offers food and drinks, as well as a place for community members to gather.

By Bella Folino, MFU Associate Photos courtesy of Prairie Perks

Prairie Perks is located in Hinsdale. The cooperative coffee shop

In rural towns, gathering spaces serve as a lifeline for connection. While many towns see their main streets shrinking, community members in Hinsdale wanted to preserve a welcoming place that could keep neighbors coming together. That vision sparked the creation of Prairie Perks.

Currently in its first year of operation, Prairie Perks functions as a cooperative that was originally formed by Carol Christensen, Heidi Johnson, Sonja Johnson, and Teresa Jones. While the shop was opened in November 2024, the idea kicked off back in Spring 2023.

“This was a fully functioning business before we organized as a co-op,” Sonja said. “The previous owner, Leona Knutson, ran Sweet Memories herself for the past 13 years. It has become such a staple of the community.”

Carol and Heidi chimed in with agreement.

“When Leona closed her shop, we knew we wanted to find a way to preserve it,” Carol said. “It was such an important part of our main street. We want people to have a place to gather.”

“The main goal of this is not to make a profit,” Heidi said. “All of us volunteer our time because we want to give back to our community.”

When they decided to step in and run the shop as a co-op, the group sent out a community survey to gauge interest. They asked residents whether they’d be interested in volunteering or buying shares and also welcomed name suggestions.

“We got so many fun ideas,” Sonja said. “All of us loved Sweet Memories, but we wanted something that reflected

the area where we live.”

“We settled on Prairie Perks because we loved the play on ‘perks,’” Heidi said. “It can be interpreted as ‘perks’ like our treats, or ‘perks’ like our percolated coffee. It is also such a ‘perk’ to be able to provide a gathering place for our community and employment in our town.”

A community effort

The group said community involvement has been heartening. “We have had offers for all sorts of help. One woman who loves gardening offered to take care of the front of the store, and another is willing to just sit in the store when we need staff,” Carol said.

A cooperative is a business owned and run by a group of people for their mutual benefit. Unlike traditional businesses that are often profit-driven and owned by a single individual or small group of investors, co-ops are guided by shared values and democratic decision-making. A co-op model can be used when the goal is to emphasize community ownership, collaboration, and sustainability over profit.

Becoming a cooperative allowed local residents to maintain the community space and treats Sweet Memories provided by sharing responsibility and resources.Volunteers donate their time, members contribute their skills, and decisions are made collectively. As a result, the shop reflects the values of the community.

”As a co-op, part of our responsibility is to support existing co-ops or to help others start co-ops,” Heidi said. “We haven’t gotten a chance to help anyone start one yet, but we just set up our phones with Nemont to support their cooperative.”

Continued on next page

Prairie Perks in Hinsdale offers an assortment of homemade baked goods, including blueberry scones, monster cookies, scotcheroos, and berry oatmeal bars.

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“We also want to source locally as much as possible,” Sonja said. “Some of our coffee currently comes from a small business in Miles City. We are always looking for ways we can use Montana-based products.”

“In the future, we want to carry more local products,” Carol said. “There are a lot of small businesses, and it is nice for them to get visibility.”

From idea to reality

Turning an idea into reality is rarely a smooth road. Bringing Prairie Perks to life came with its own set of unexpected challenges.

“One of the hardest parts was figuring out where to start,” Sonja said. “There are so many things you don’t even know that you don’t know.”

“None of us had done anything like this before,” Heidi said. “We had a hard time even finding an accountant that understood how co-ops function. As much as the community was supportive in theory, it is a lot to ask people to get involved. But ever since we got things running, people seem to be more responsive.”

All four women have careers and farms and ranches outside of the work they do for Prairie Perks.

“If you want something done, ask a busy person,” Heidi joked.

Even with their packed schedules, each woman serves on the board and helps with day-to-day operations.

“We do want to shout out our husbands,” Carol said. “Despite some initial doubts, they’ve all been supportive.”

“Once a week over the winter some of our husbands will cook breakfast while the others help with maintenance and repairs,” Heidi added.

Challenges haven’t stopped the group from looking ahead. They already have big plans for how the shop can grow and better serve the community.

“We have some plans for the shop,” Sonja said. “Like maybe adding on some more space for seating. We have also definitely gotten a little more creative with our menu than we had originally planned.”

“I would love to help host events here,” Carol said. “We have done a few, but it would be great to have more community events. We love to have people here.”

The members of Prairie Perks co-op are determined to not let the building become another vacant structure in town. Their efforts are not just to serve the community in the present, but for the future. The

Prairie Perks in Hinsdale offers baked goods, lunch items, and drinks. August’s featured drink was a campfire s’mores frappe.

Top: Prairie Perks offers food and drinks, as well as a place for community members to gather.

Middle: Lunch items, like Waldorf chicken salad wraps, are offered at Prairie Perks in Hinsdale.

members view themselves as placeholders and are hopeful the right person will come along with the desire and dream to add their own flavor to the shop.

“We want to be able to support that next person and keep this place for the community,” Heidi said.

“Until then, we will continue brewing, baking, and believing,” Carol added.

For anyone inspired to start something of their own in their community, the group at Prairie Perks has some advice.

“If you want to start something similar, just know it will be a longer process than you imagine,” Sonja said. “But you also don’t have to figure it out alone. So many people have done similar things and are willing to share what worked for them. We received a lot of advice from Big Flat Grocery in Turner.”

“Every time one idea wouldn’t work out another option would come out of nowhere, and we would be back on track,” Carol said. “It is a lot of pressure knowing how much trust the community is putting in you, but eventually you just have to take that leap of faith and work to make it happen.”

For this town, Prairie Perks is more than a coffee shop – it’s a promise to keep a shared space alive in their community. In a world where gathering spaces are fading, they’re proving that with vision and determination, a small town can hold on to the places that bring people together.

Visit Prairie Perks on Montana Street in Hinsdale and find them on social media.

Bottom: Carol Christensen’s grandson, Jack Van Voast, enjoys ice cream from Prairie Perks in Hinsdale Memorial Park.

FARM TABLE

Did you know?

Not only are pulse crops delicious and nutritious, they are also economical to raise and well suited to the Montana climate making them a lucrative source of income for farmers across the state.

Pulse crops have the ability to improve soil health. As legumes, they can fix nitrogen from the air and store it in the soil, which can reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers and improve soil fertility over time. Additionally, pulse crops have a deep root system that can help break up soil compaction and improve water infiltration. In Montana specifically, pulse crops are becoming increasingly popular due to their adaptability to dryland farming, which is common in the state. There were only around 11,000 combined acres of lentils, chickpeas, and dry peas grown in Montana during 1998. Fast forward to 2025, there are more than 1,700,000 acres planted!

PULSE CROP

COOKING

Special Thanks to the montana Pulse committee & NOrthern Pulse Growers

For this Fall‘s Recipes

When I’m planning meals, I often reach for pulse crops — lentils, chickpeas, dry peas, and beans — because they’ve become such staples in my kitchen.

They’re wholesome, affordable, and packed with nutrition: protein, fiber, iron, and so many of the essentials our bodies need to stay fueled and healthy. What makes cooking with pulses extra special for me is knowing that many of these crops are grown locally across Montana. Our state is one of the leading producers of pulse crops in the nation, so when I open a bag of lentils or peas, I can feel a real connection to the farmers and land that make it possible. Supporting them while feeding my family feels like a full-circle win.

The beauty of pulses is just how versatile they are. They can be the star of a meal or quietly add richness and texture in the background. On a chilly evening, I’ll simmer lentils into a hearty soup or toss them into a comforting stew. For quick lunches, I might whip up a chickpea salad or blend them into a creamy dip for veggies and bread. Even in baking, pulse flours can sneak extra nutrition into muffins, pancakes, or breads without changing the flavor. They adapt so easily to spices and seasonings that no two dishes ever have to feel the same.

Having pulses on hand reminds me that cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to be nourishing. A simple bowl of lentil soup or a handful of roasted chickpeas can bring comfort, flavor, and health all at once. And knowing that many of these ingredients are grown right here in Montana makes every bite feel like a little celebration of our land, our farmers, and the traditions we share around the table.

Apple Spice Hummus

2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 medium golden delicious apples, peeled and chopped

1/3 c. lemon juice

½ c. creamy peanut butter

2 to 3 Tbs water

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp all spice

¼ tsp cayenne pepper, optional

Apple slices, carrot slices and/or whole-wheat crackers

In a food processor bowl or blender container, place the following ingredients: chickpeas, chopped apple, lemon juice, peanut butter, water, salt and spices. Cover and process or blend until smooth; transfer to bowl. Cover and refrigerate up to three days. Serve dip with apple slices, carrot slices, and/or whole-wheat crackers

Hearty Split Pea Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup

1 medium onion, diced 4 medium carrots, sliced 4 celery stalks, sliced 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes

3 C dried yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed 1 (14 oz) link Turkey Polska Kielbasa, sliced into coins 2 (32 oz.) cartons chicken broth {or sub veggie broth)

1 Tbs curry powder

1 Tbs cumin

1 tsp ground ginger

Salt to taste (optional)

In a slow cooker, add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, sweet potatoes, and split peas. Cover with broth. Add spices.

Cook on high 4-6 hours until sweet potatoes are tender and soup reaches a thick consistency. If needed, cook an additional hour.

Apple-Lentil Muffins

1 egg

2 tsp baking powder

½ C canola oil

1 tsp baking soda

1 C lentil puree

1 tsp cinnamon

1 C canned apple pie filling

½ tsp salt

¾ C whole wheat flour

¼ tsp ground allspice

¾ C all-purpose flour

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/3 C brown sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin pan with nonstick vegetable cooking spray or line with paper baking cups.

Beat egg in a large mixing bowl. Stir in oil, add 1 cup of lentil puree and apple filling. In a separate bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, salt allspice and nutmeg. Stir dry mixture into puree mixture just until flour is moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake 15 minutes, or until top of muffin bounces back when touched or a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

1 C garbanzo bean flour

½ C almond milk, or milk of choice

2 Tbs pure cane sugar or coconut sugar

2 Tbs baking powder

1 Tbs poppy seeds

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large lemon or two small, zest and juice

Preheat your griddle to the manufacturer’s instruction for pancakes or heat skillet over medium to medium high heat.

In a medium to large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking powder, set aside.

Add milk, vanilla and lemon juice to the dry mixture, mix just enough to combine. Add in poppy seeds and lemon zest, give a final quick mix, don’t over mix. Batter will foam up looking light and airy, this is a normal reaction. Let the batter rest for about 7 minutes. This step is important and will result in fuller looking pancakes. Give batter a quick stir before scooping.

You may or may not want to grease your griddle lightly with coconut oil, or other oil of choice, depending if your griddle is non-stick or not. Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop batter and place on the griddle, cook for about 2 – 2 ½ minutes, or until underside is golden, flip and cook another 2 – 2 ½ minutes.

Serve with pure maple syrup. Fresh strawberries are a perfect accompaniment and will add some freshness.

Notes: For added lemony flavor, use a little extra lemon or a ½ teaspoon of lemon extract. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have lemons on hand, use 3 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice instead.

Lentil Granola

1½ C dry red lentils

5 Tbs honey

1 Tbs vanilla extract

1 C rolled oats

5 ounces sliced almonds

1 C shaved coconut

1 C dried cranberries or desired dried fruit

2 Tbs olive oil

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add lentils and simmer for five minutes or until just tender. Drain lentils and spread out on a tray. Allow to steam dry and cool. Preheat your oven to 300 F. Combine honey, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl. Toss the cooled lentils in the honey mixture. Spread the coated lentils on a parchmentlined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Stir in oats and almonds and continue baking for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so. Next add coconut and dried fruit and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until everything is browned. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Steak and Chickpea Stir-Fry

8 oz. boneless sirloin steak, ½ green bell pepper

1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained

1 Tbs garlic, minced

7 Tbs water

½ tsp ground ginger

1 Tbs cornstarch

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

½ red bell pepper

¼ C teriyaki basting sauce

2 Tbs soy sauce

Cut steak and peppers into strips. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with nonstick cooking spray; add steak strips. Fry for 5 minutes or until steak is fully cooked. Transfer to plate. Mix cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water; add chickpeas, remaining water, peppers, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, soy sauce and teriyaki sauce to pan and cook for 5 minutes. Return beef to vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Serve over rice noodles or brown rice.

Jason Deshaw

When and how were you diagnosed?

I grew up in a wonderful corner of the world, in the ag community of Plentywood. We were taught to work hard and pull yourself up by the bootstraps. I don’t remember people talking about mental illness or addiction growing up. So, when I suddenly faced mental health challenges myself, I didn’t have a word for it or know what to do. My mind and body began speeding up until everything spun out of control. I was on tour in Canada at the time and it was obvious that I needed help. It took three hospitalizations until I finally got a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder and alcoholism in 2010.

What have been the largest contributors to your recovery?

I wouldn’t be alive today had it not been for those who love me. My amazing partner, my family, my friends. I’m one of the luckiest guys around because of the unconditional love that they have shown me. I learned quickly that if I was going to survive this challenge, it was going to require significant change. I could no longer drink alcohol and expect to be well. I had to dive headfirst into recovery and reach out for help. I found that sobriety is the foundation upon which my sanity is built.

How has cultivating your musical talents helped you manage your mental illness and overcome addiction? What practical advice do you have for others about the importance of creative outlets?

Being creative requires being in the moment. I always admire how kids and dogs are experts at that. My understanding of creativity is that we are just the vessel or conduit through which it flows. I realize that I am not the source of anything; I’m just the guy holding the pen. I love how my mind quiets when I’m singing. It is my favorite form of meditation. I’ve often been asked, “What’s your favorite song?” I usually respond, “The one I’m working on today.”

Born and raised in Montana, Jason DeShaw is a national award-winning mental health speaker and country singer. He grew up working on a farm and ranch and has recorded seven albums and toured eight countries.

Behind the scenes, Jason nearly lost his life to mental illness and addiction, and is living proof that hope is worth believing in. Jason received the Champions Award in Washington, D.C., from the National Alliance on Mental Illness for “exhibiting courage, leadership and service on behalf of all people living with mental illness.”

Ahead of his keynote address during Montana Farmers Union’s 110th Annual Convention, DeShaw took some time to talk more about his experience and why he’s taking his blend of storytelling and music to the stage to inspire hope.

Talk more about your advocacy work and the impact you ultimately want to have?

I experienced a tremendous amount of suffering in the past decade and a half. I needed to find a reason for that. I wanted some good to come out of the bad. I knew how hard these challenges are, so I started putting words to it all. I was already a musician, and so it was intuitive to combine my stories of struggle with a musical message of hope.

What perspective/advice would you share with people about how to help someone who is struggling?

We don’t judge someone for having diabetes or a stroke. The same should apply for mental health conditions, of which addiction is a part. These conditions are hard to understand, and they don’t have a quick fix. Survival requires reaching out for help when you need it. When we see someone who is struggling, we choose to respond with either love or fear. Kindness and compassion can save lives.

Anything else you want people to know about your story or the importance of your work?

We are all in this together. In Montana, everyone is a neighbor. We’re all just doing our best to make it through. Remember to take it easy on each other and ourselves. Life isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

To Return or Not to Return: That is the Question

By Marsha A. Goetting, PhD, CFP©, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist

You’ve likely heard Shakespeare’s famous line: “To be or not to be…” But on a farm or ranch in Montana during 2025, the question becomes more personal:

• For the older generation: Should we invite our kids back to join the operation?

• For the younger generation: Should we return home and join the family business?

If Shakespeare was writing for agricultural families today, he might begin by asking a series of practical, heartfelt questions that matter deeply to the generations involved in Montana farms and ranches.

Can the Operation Support Two Families?

Dreams of the older and younger generations working side-by-side are meaningful, but financial reality must come first. Start by asking:

•Is there enough income to support another household?

• Will adding an adult child with a spouse and eventual grandchildren jeopardize Mom and Dad’s retirement plans?

• Can the operation expand with added labor and new skills?

• Is housing available for another family?

• Will the younger generation receive paid time off or be expected to follow the traditional long workdays without an official policy to handle vacations and other time off?

• Are Mom and Dad willing to openly share financial information about the farm/ranch?

• Will the younger generation expect compensation beyond that of the wages paid to a hired hand?

• Does the operation offer any type of retirement plan such as a Keogh? This is a tax-deferred retirement plan some operators have set up. Keoghs are for self-employed individuals and unincorporated businesses, including sole proprietorships, partnerships and LLCs. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are another way to save for the future.

Before making a decision, both generations should examine a full set of financial statements—balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and owner equity. These tools provide vital insight into the health of the business and help meet the documentation requirements for a loan request. Iowa State University Extension offers financial statements at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c3-56.html.

Expectations and Management Roles

Understanding expectations across generations is key to a successful venture.

• Will the younger generation become partners immediately, or build trust over time?

• Will decision-making be collaborative or continue solely through the senior generation?

• Will practical experience and formal education both be respected?

• Are both generations comfortable with the farm or ranch’s debt load?

• Will the younger spouse be content with cash spent on equipment rather than household items and renovations?

• What about vacations? Will time off be paid or a luxury to take at their own expense?

Clear communication is essential. Launch regular business meetings. Share notes and welcome spouses—especially when key decisions are to be made. One Montana rancher decided his son needed more experience beyond Dad and Mom’s ranch, so the son was encouraged to first gain experience with another producer. He did and is now a valued member of the family ranch business.

Another Dad told his four children if they were to return to the farm they had to create their own jobs. One child had the idea of building cabins so pheasant hunters could fly in. Another son started a brewery after learning the business while working in Texas. The third son decided to renovate the barn to make it into a community center to host weddings, family reunions, and the like. The daughter is still exploring options.

Dealing with Stress Constructively

Farming and ranching are high-stress occupations. Add family dynamics, and the pressure multiplies. Left unaddressed, stress can cause lasting damage. MSU Extension’s statewide stress management website helps ag families recognize and manage stress levels. The site can be used by all family members to discover their stress levels and discover local, state, and national resources to help family members develop positive coping skills to manage stress they could be experiencing. The site also offers tools to help individuals cope and prevent destructive patterns—whether the stress is financial, relational, or generational. https://www. montana.edu/extension/wellness/stress-management/mt_farm_stress_clearing_house/. Continued on next page

Continued from previous page

Succession and Inheritance: Talking About the Future

Succession planning can stir uncomfortable emotions and misunderstandings. Important questions include:

• How much of the farm or ranch will the returning child inherit?

• Will siblings who didn’t return receive equal shares of the operation or will other options such as life insurance be used to provide “equitable” division of the parents’ estate?

• Who will provide care for aging parents? In one Montana family the daughter was the one who provided long term care for both Mom and Dad. The farm was left to her. The two brothers who had careers out-of-state gave their blessings to Mom and Dad’s decision.

• Can discussions between the generations avoid perceptions of greed or morbidity?

MSU Extension offers over 50 resources to support legacy planning, including MontGuides on avoiding probate, beneficiary designations, trusts, wills, power of attorney and more. Form a family or social group MontGuide (Book) Club to discuss the topics. Arrange for me to be on-line to answer questions about any of the topics. https://www.montana.edu/estateplanning/ eppublications.html

Experienced families recommend discussing transfer issues in stages:

1. Individual reflection

2. Couple discussions

3. Full family conversations

4. Business-level planning

MSU Extension’s worksheets in Transferring Your Farm or Ranch to the Next Generation can help clarify values, needs, and expectations before formal conversations begin. The publication also provides each member of the older and younger generations an opportunity to focus their thoughts and examine their feelings about succession planning issues. Space is also provided for each person to identify other issues that are important. https://store.msuextension.org/publications/ FamilyFinancialManagement/EB0149.pdf.

Shared Sacrifice, Shared Purpose

Preserving a family farm or ranch demands sacrifices. When both generations appreciate the lifestyle—and what it takes to maintain it—those sacrifices become steppingstones toward something enduring.

A reviewer of this article from the “younger generation” suggested mention be made on how parents should reflect on their life and encourage their children to come back. She said some parents focus so much on “How hard it is,” “We aren’t profitable enough,” or “Town life is easier.” But they often fail to reflect “This way of life is extremely special, “We made enough to support the family and live well,” and “Yes, its sometime difficult, but it’s also very rewarding.”

Are honest conversations complete with full disclosure of financial and operational information and clear expectations enough to encourage the upcoming generation to return?

Regardless of the answer, when faced with the “to return or not to return” decision, families can better navigate it by asking thoughtful questions, fostering honest dialogue, and embracing the values that make agricultural life meaningful.

Additional Resources

• Farm Transfer Strategies

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c4-55.html

• Give Them a Reason to Come Home to Farm

https://www.farmprogress.com/commentary/give-them-a-reason-to-come-home-to-farm

• Questions to Consider Before Returning Home

https://www.westernagcredit.com/files/financial_tips/Generational_Transfers.pdf

• Surprise! I’m Coming Back to the Farm

Interested in Succession Planning? Join us at Convention. Check out page 33!

https://www.grainews.ca/farmlife/what-to-do-when-your-adult-kids-return-to-the-farm-to-work-with-you/

• Transitioning Your Adult Children Back to the Family Farm

https://agrilegacy.com/transitioning-your-adult-children-back-to-the-family-farm/

• What is a Keogh Plan & How Does it work? https://www.farther.com/resources/foundations/what-is-a-keogh-plan-how-doesit-work#:~:text=Keogh%20plans%20are%20tax%2Ddeferred,to%20IRA%20or%20SEP%20options

Leadership opportunities open through MFU

Several Montana Farmers Union Board of Directors seats and organizational positions are open for nominations ahead of voting during this year’s Annual Convention.

Board members play an active role in the organization and its programs, including the MFU Foundation.

See October’s Grassroots edition for candidate profiles ahead of either voting during Convention or postmarking your mail ballot by Oct. 25. You can also find candidate information on our website.

Board positions up for election this year are:

• President, 2-year term,

• District 2, 3-year term,

• District 6, 3-year term, and

• District 5 & 6 at large, 3-year term.

Other positions up for election are:

• Conductor, 1-year term, and

• Doorkeeper, 1-year term.

Day Camp offered for Families

MFU Convention Day Camp offers harvest festival themed activities for Convention‘s youth attendees

Family members of all ages can enjoy Montana Farmers Union‘s 110th Annual State Convention with a free kids Day Camp to be offered from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 for kids ages 5-12.

The days will be full of fun harvest festival themed activities geared to teach kids more about agriculture, including apple growing, scarecrow making, pool time, a costume contest, pumpkin carving, and the pumpkin lifecycle.

“The kids camp at MFU annual convention is intended to provide a safe, fun learning environment for the younger family members at convention. The youth are our future, and this will provide them with a memorable convention experience tailored to their youthful needs and interests,“ said Jodi Koterba, MFU‘s education director.

Register for the Day Camp when you register for Convention!

Learn about top ag and rural issues, network, experience ag in the Lewistown area, hear from keynote speaker Jason DeShaw, elect MFU leadership, set organizational policy, and more during Montana Farmers Union’s 110th Annual State Convention planned Oct. 31-Nov. 1 in Lewistown, with pre-convention tours Oct. 30 and a Succession Planning Institute Nov. 2.

Scholarships that cover the full cost of attending Convention are available for new and beginning producers and students are available. The funding is part of MFU’s commitment to education.

The pre-convention farm tour includes a tour of a permaculture fruit orchard followed by a tour at the Wickens Ranch and their new Savory Hub. Convention officially kicks off Oct. 31 with policy work, education sessions, election of leadership, networking, Halloween fun, and more. Then take advantage of the Family Farm Succession Planning Institute Nov. 2. Register today by scanning the QR code!

Succession Planning - Featuring Support through Process

Take deep dive into family farm succession planning during daylong institute offered by MFU.

Hear from speakers Marsha Goetting, John Beranek, and Brent Turner, and get the tools to do a deep dive into your farm's succession plan during the Succession Planning Institute offered Nov. 2 by Montana Farmers Union for multi-generational farm and ranch families.

The institute is free to MFU members or $50 for non-member and will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown following MFU’s 110th Annual State Convention to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 with preconvention tours planned Oct. 30.

“The issue of succession planning is a topic of great concern to our Montana Farmers Union members and therefor is a priority to our staff. It is a topic that can create an unnecessary rift in families if not properly addressed. We created the institute to equip farm and ranch families with the short- and long-term tools needed to create a financial and legal plan that works for them,” said Jodi Koterba, MFU’s education director.

The daylong workshop is geared for current and next generation owners and operators and includes a mixture of presentations, individual reflection, and private multi-generational family and farm discussions.

Montana Farmers Union has implemented an online learning lab with resources for families to consult as needed. Following the in-person event, participants will have access to virtual check ins for four months following the institute to allow for questions, requests for help, and to celebrate the establishment of plans.

“A future for your next farm or ranch generation depends on laying a strong foundation now,” Koterba said. “The Succession Planning Institute is designed to use a variety of tools to enable successful and smooth multi- generational communications that allow everyone to have their voices heard.”

Topics that will be covered during the succession planning institute include:

• Estate planning expectations

• Examining approaches for disagreements

• Location and usefulness of existing documents

• Identification of mutual family level goals for the short, intermediate, and long terms

• Preparing to meet with lawyers/financial advisors

• Succession planning next steps.

TETON/CASCADE (7)

Field Notes

This summer has been a whirlwind of activity. I have been blessed to get to travel the state teaching Montana Farmers Union Day camps and other events. I have put on more than 2,800 miles going as far north as Shelby, east to Fort Peck, and west to Thompson Falls.That is just strictly my day camp travel. Personally, I have covered even more ground in our beautiful state. In all this travel, I have seen some amazing production, agrotourism, and value-added agriculture that our members are accomplishing.With the use of some RV memberships, we have even stayed at some farms.We stayed at a forage production and livestock regenerative location offering daily soil health presentations focusing on soil biology and composting, with beef, chicken, honey, pork, and eggs for sale in a little farm stand.

Our second Montana experience was at a Western Montana lavender and sheep farm.The smell of the lavender being extracted with the views of multiple flower varieties and sounds of the gently bleating sheep made our weekend amazing.This adventure included a wonderful home prepared lamb tasting event that featured grass-fed, pasture-grazed lamb prepared by an amazing 12-year-old producer. Shopping in the farm stand and the multiple lavender products and a few unique items like handmade snakeskin bookmarks gave me a great start on my Christmas shopping.

Most recently, we were able to kick back and relax at the Fritz Farm and Corn Maze.The views were incredible.The stroll through the acres of sunflowers and picking our own to take home was great. As I completed teaching a day camp hosted at this location, I saw a sign for a “Date Night” they are hosting with food trucks and fun that looks worth potentially driving back to be a part of.

These incredible experiences were just the tip of the iceberg of the things we got to see and do. My must-see list is growing faster than I will ever have weekends to fit them all in. Maybe I will have to look more seriously at becoming a full time RVer.

Ambassador Jodi Koterba- Teton-Cascade

FLATHEAD (5)

We have a few opportunities! If you or someone you know would be interested in joining our Ambassador team, please have them contact office@montanafarmersunion.com for more information and details about the opportunity. The role focuses on community building, advocacy, and education for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, if this sounds like you or you’re ready to make a difference for family farm agriculture and rural communities, we encourage you to reach out!

By the time you read this, the National Legislative Fly-in has come and gone, and State Convention is right around the corner. Where did 2025 go?

How do we capture the sense of all that has transpired in 2025? So far this year, our lives have been filled with many expected and unexpected currents. Friends and organizations losing or fearing loss of funding and jobs, rain and storms when we didn’t need it, not enough rain when we did, and the overall sense of wow, where did the summer and 2025 go?

What stood out most for 2025 was witnessing MFU taking waves then anchoring to create certainty for its membership, by doing what MFU does best – leading boldly by staying true to the course of its members by reaching out, listening, and keeping in sight the horizon of the community ahead.

When uncertainty tolled the bell, MFU reminded us at the National Convention in Oklahoma City we stand together, we take our seats together, and we answer the longing to belong by serving our membership, so they may better serve this great place we call home.

There is power in belonging, and belonging to one’s place is even more supernatural as it holds a legacy: home, nature, family, and community.

So where do we go from here? In nautical terms, we ready the sails and continue the chase.

By the time you read this, the State Convention won’t be far away. Please join us in Lewistown!

The National Women’s Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, is the first week of November, and our MFU state Women’s Conferences for the eastern half of the state and the western half of the state are coming up in February 2026! Please reach out for more information.

This is the last magazine of 2025, and before the year closes, I would like to say how sincerely grateful we are to all of you.Words cannot express our gratitude.Thank you to all who participated in the legislative process, to all who attended and continue to attend events and programming, to all those who served and continue to serve on committees, to all who open up your homes, farms, ranches, businesses and organizations for our events, and to all who go above and beyond in your member engagement each year with Montana Farmers Union. Your efforts are beyond inspiring.Thank you again, and I look forward to another engaging season!

Looking forward to seeing you all soon, and, as always, reach out.

Ambassador Carissa McNamara - Flathead

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CENTRAL MONTANA (3)

When most people think of Montana Farmers Union, they think of family farm advocacy, policy, or even insurance.While all of that is true, there is a lot more beneath the surface – especially for families in Central and Northeastern Montana.Whether you are a farmer, rancher, or consumer who cares about rural life, there is power in belonging to MFU and membership offers some unexpected advantages.

MFU provides affordable access to learning and travel. Members are encouraged to attend conferences, trainings, and leadership programs around the state and some out of state.This year a Ladies Who Ag class in Stanford drew 40 participants to learn how to build a beautiful charcuterie board featuring local foods. On the travel side, Eric and Emma Wickens from Winifred and Tammy Fladager from Peerless joined other MFU members in Washington, D.C., for National Farmers Union’s 2024 Legislative Fly-In, advocating fairness for farmers. Scholarships and travel stipends make these opportunities possible for members from even the most rural towns.

Yes, MFU fights for better farm prices, but it also helps members save money in practical ways. Discounts on items like clothing from the Boot Barn, hotel stays, car rentals, and more can add up quickly.These perks are often unexpected but welcome bonuses.

My region already has strong youth traditions in 4-H and FFA, but MFU adds something different to the table. Day camps held this summer in Hobson,Whitewater, Fort Peck, Judith Gap, Lewistown, and Winnett offered hands on learning for kiddos aged 5-12 with games and good food.The kiddos were left not only entertained for a day but also with skills and memories that will stick for a lifetime.

MFU’s community grants may not always make headlines but make a big difference. In July, Fergus High School – my alma mater – received $10,000 toward their meat processing shop, and Fergus FFA was awarded $2,500 for equipment to teach a meat science course. These kinds of investments keep rural programs alive and thriving.

Perhaps the most surprising benefit: MFU members have a direct line to state and national policy makers. One voice can be hard to hear, but when we speak together, our message resonates.

For those in Central and Northeastern Montana, MFU is not just about ag – it’s about connection, empowerment, and ensuring rural voices remain strong. Sometimes the greatest benefits are not the most obvious, they are the ones that ripple out and shape our communities for generations.That is the power in belonging.

Ambassador Mary Jenni - Central Montana

EASTERN MONTANA (4)

Even though the weather might not feel like it, the autumn season is upon us.The East and Southeast of the state have received plenty of much needed rain, which has been both a blessing and a challenge for farmers and ranchers alike.The busy season of harvest, sales, fall calving, back to school – it is a whirlwind that easily catches us all.

As you are making plans for this season, I would like to extend my personal and heartfelt invitation to attend the MFU Convention in Lewistown, Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. Oct. 30 is a pre-convention tour, and Nov. 2 is the first-ever MFU Succession Planning Institute.The full program of events and speakers is available on the MFU website.

We, in the Eastern part of the state, rarely can be so close to large conventions and events.The 2025 MFU Convention will be worth the drive, no matter how far you are coming from.

Farmers and ranchers from the Eastern side of the state have a whole different ball game to play, making a living on the short grass prairie. Lewistown is central enough to encompass some of the unique attributes of the Eastern plains.

Topics such as rural mental health, co-op development, MFU policy, and MFU board elections should not be only for producers closest to Convention.We need Eastern input, participation, and voices in our grassroots organization.

Make the drive, if you can. Send someone else in your place if you cannot. Have kids? Bring them along as well! We will have a day camp available for kids of all ages.Want to carpool? We might be able to set you up with other members making the trek.You do not have to be an MFU member to attend, learn, and take away valuable resources from our programming. Farmer, rancher, community member – MFU Convention is a place where you will meet your people. Please contactany of the MFU staff, with your questions about 2025 Convention.

Ambassador Eleanor Dutton - Eastern MT -

Eleanor Dutton is moving on from MFU to her next adventure, so this will be her last update. We are so grateful for her hard work at MFU and wish her the best!

If you are a member in Eleanor’s region and need anything related to MFU, please contact Membership Services and Government Affairs Director Rachel Prevost at rprevost@montanafarmersunion.com or 406-478-2306

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MISSOURI HEADWATERS (2)

When people hear the name Montana Farmers Union, it’s easy to assume it’s an organization solely geared toward farmers and traditional agricultural practices. But that’s only part of the story.We’re often asked if MFU is “just for farmers.” The answer is simple: MFU is for everyone who believes in local agriculture. MFU is not just for those who till the soil or raise livestock. It’s for anyone with a passion for building strong, sustainable local food systems and supporting the backbone of our rural communities –family farms and ranches.

We are not “big ag.” We’re not “corporate-backed.” And we’re not just for farmers. Montana Farmers Union exists to serve everyone who cares about local agriculture, from lifelong ranchers and young families just starting out, to high school students, retired teachers, and backyard gardeners.

MFU is a place where young people can keep growing long after they age out of 4-H or FFA. It’s also a space where adults and retirees can continue contributing their knowledge, passion, and ideas to the future of Montana ag.Through leadership opportunities, education, policy engagement, and cooperative initiatives, our members are actively shaping the future of rural Montana.

MFU welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and ages: youths, adults, retirees, and everyone in between. For young people who’ve grown through programs like 4-H or FFA, MFU provides a place to continue their agricultural journey into adulthood, fostering leadership, education, and continued involvement in causes that matter.

Protecting Montana’s family farms and ranches is central to what we do.Through legislative advocacy, education, and entrepreneurial support – such as promoting cooperative business models and supporting value-added ag products – we work to ensure that small producers aren’t just surviving, but are thriving.

Montana Farmers Union is more than a farm and ranch organization – it’s a movement for those who believe in local food, community-driven agriculture, and the enduring value of family-run operations.Whether you’re an active farmer, a backyard gardener, a high school student curious about agriculture, or a retiree looking to stay connected to rural life, MFU offers a place to belong. It’s about connection, community, and a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves.

Ambassador Samantha Ferrat - Missouri Headwaters

SOUTH CENTRAL (6)

Powerless. It’s particularly easy to feel that way as an agricultural producer. Rolling with whichever punches the weather throws, forced to be a price taker by unfair competition and corporate monopolies, trying to keep the farm alive on thin margins while opportunists wait outside the gate.Tariffs, taxes, input prices – each of these things is decided for us. But what if they weren’t? What if we have more power than we give ourselves credit for?

Frederick Douglass once stated, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. … The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”

Alice Walker put it even more succinctly: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”

Truth is, in a grassroots organization, like Montana Farmers Union, we are far from powerless.We belong to a wider group of producers and individuals who are willing to band together and address the issues we face, whether that’s through legislation tailored to the needs of producers in our state, educational events which address specific wants of a region or demographic, or through collective action, such as cooperative efforts, boycotts, strikes, rallies of support, various forms of dissent, or simply gathering enough voices together to make sure we are heard. After all, if working with a team of horses, who truly holds the power? The person at the reins, or the string of 1,600 pound horses taking him where he asks them to go?

I, for one, think it’s time for us to remember we are the horses.What is it that you need? What do your neighbors need? And how can we seek that change together?

Over the last couple of months, our Ambassador Team has been reading through a book entitled “Pulling Together: A Handbook for Community Change” by Tom Mosgaller and Mike Breininger, which contains perhaps my favorite quote on this subject, and one that I will leave you with: “If ‘abuse’ of power is a sin, maybe we should also consider ‘the lack of use’ of our power to be a sin of omission. For if we fail to use the power we do have to realize the things we could have done something about for the common good, isn’t that just as bad ...?”

Happy harvest, don’t be afraid to cause some good trouble, and I hope to see you at Convention!

Ambassador Montana Caise - South Central

Local ag-based projects receive from MFU Foundation

By Alice Miller, MFU Magazine Co-Editor

From purchasing to developing feeding and care programs for them to evaluating them during FFA competitions in the fall to harvesting and processing, Fergus High School students are getting the full experience of raising and harvesting sheep this fall, thanks to $12,500 in funding from the Montana Farmers Union Foundation Community Grants Program.

“It literally is providing a transformational opportunity for students. It is identifying and emphasizing hands on learning with students. We’re not just going to talk about it, we’re actually going to do it – and that’s one thing the grant gives us the opportunity to do – is to go do it,” said Jared Long, agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor at Fergus High School.

A year ago, his teaching partner, Logan Turner, suggested sectioning off a relatively unused portion of a shop building to build a meat shop. With supportive administration and community, the building of a wall, some re-purposing of school kitchen equipment, and a federal grant to buy meat processing equipment, meat science was offered at the school for the first time this spring. This fall, they had to turn away students due to capacity.

Support from the MFU Foundation allows them to build on successes and make the program accessible to more students.

“Our plan is to use the (bulk of the) grant to refrigerate the room so that we can have carcasses in there and not have to worry about temperature being a limited factor in terms of what we can and can’t do,” Long said.

The interest in participating in and expanding the program is in no small part thanks to a hands-on approach to learning.

“We want students to have the understanding and the ability that they can do something they formally thought they might not have been able to,” Long said. “This particularly is cutting meat, but I think there’s a bigger picture there too, better work ethic, pride in what you do, understanding where your food comes from and how we prepare it for you, and, through that process of harvesting and processing that animal, honoring those animals.”

MFU Foundation provides broad support to communities

The Fergus High project is just one of more than 20 projects across Montana to receive funding through the Foundation grant program in 2025.

This year alone, Montana Farmers Union Foundation awarded $43,000 in July through its Community Grant program and leveraged another $4,600 from MFU Locals to 22 Montana projects that create new opportunities and contribute to the growth and enhancement of Montana agriculture and rural communities.

“MFU Foundation’s grant program has been a huge success so far. This year, we were excited to see more than 100 applications,” MFU Chief of Staff Matt Rains said. “This grant program has filled a needed niche of support for local community projects that are too small to build a robust grant application packet for state and federal opportunities, but valuable enough to have a positive impact for schools, fairgrounds, FFA community projects, or similar groups.”

Since beginning in 2022, the Foundation has awarded and leveraged more than $60,000 for projects in rural communities, strengthening ag education for Montanans of all ages.

Grants awarded in 2025

Left - Students at Fergus High School are able to process and then sample meat through their meat science program.The ag program and FFA chapter at the Lewistown school received a total of $12,500 from the Montana Farmers Union Foundation Community Grant program in 2025 to add a cooling system to the meat shop and increase the class opportunities.

•Fergus High School, meat processing shop conversion, $10,000

•Fergus FFA, purchase equipment to teach meat science courses, $2,500

•Hays Lodge Pole Schools, purchase upright freezer for school lunches, $2,500

•Fairfield Public Schools, tables for ag mechanics/metals classes, $2,100 MFU Foundation, $650 Teton Local

•Corvallis School District, install hydroponic garden for cafeteria, $2,000

•Arlee School District, purchase equipment for school gardens, $2,000

•Malta High School, rehabilitate school garden, $2,000

•Choteau Elementary School, build greenhouse, $2,000 MFU Foundation, $650 Teton Local

•Scobey Schools, purchase welder for shop classes, $3,396

•Broadview Public Schools, convert shop to classroom, $2,000

•Belgrade FFA, develop school farmland, $2,000

•Farm Connect Montana, support for program that teaches kids to cook and provide food to local schools, $2,000

•Shields Valley Elementary, purchase equipment to teach farming techniques, $1,500

•Be The Change 406 Coalition, youth-led greenhouse project, $1,500

•Bigfork Foodbank, expand foodbank garden, $1,250 MFU Foundation, $1,250 Flathead Local

•Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, purchase refrigerator for microgreen program, $1,000 MFU Foundation, $1,000 Flathead Local

•Geraldine FFA, educate public on local plants, $800

•Victor FFA, enhance poultry classes, $750

•Power School, purchase oven and freezer, $650 MFU Foundation, $650 Teton Local

•Open Range 4-H Club, create and donate 360 birthday cakes for community, $500

•Liberty County 4-H Council, fund 4-H Fun Fridays, $400 MFU Foundation, $400 Liberty-Toole Local

•Superior School District, purchase weed sprayer for school garden, $300

To learn more about Montana Farmers Union Foundation grants ahead of the 2026 cycle, please visit www.montanafarmersunion.com.

Above - A meat processing shop offered a meat science class to Fergus High School students last year. This fall, the class had a wait list due to high interest. The Lewistown school and FFA chapter received a total of $12,500 from the Montana Farmers Union Foundation in 2025.

Effects of Reconciliation Bill on Montana Farmers

By Ali Moxley, contributing writer for MFU

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the 870-page reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, into law. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, the bill is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade and will have significant impacts on farmers nationwide. The reconciliation bill includes massive cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid and redirects conservation funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to other programs.

During the budget reconciliation process, Congress proposes, amends, and passes laws related to spending, revenues, the surplus or deficit, and the public debt. The budget reconciliation process can only include measures that directly affect federal spending or revenue and has limitations on the specific types of provisions that can be changed. For example, while budget issues such as Medicaid can be discussed, the Social Security program cannot be included in the budget reconciliation process. This type of budget process is distinct because it provides an expedited process for passing a bill, which involves limiting debate time in the Senate, preventing a filibuster, and only requiring a simple majority to move to a final vote. After many months of debate among both Republicans and Democrats, the budget reconciliation bill passed through the House with a 218-214 vote and was quickly signed into law.

Impacts to Healthcare

In Montana, data show that approximately 22% of residents are currently enrolled in Medicaid. It is estimated that 14.5% of Montana’s Medicaid population will lose coverage, including 27,000 low-income adults and 4,000 children, people with disabilities, and elderly Montanans over the next decade as a result of the bill. While public information is not currently available that shows what percentage of enrollees are farmers and farmworkers, data does indicate that 48% of Medicaid enrollees in the State work in the agriculture or service industry, which includes trades like construction. Effective immediately, the bill bans Medicaid payments to entities that provide abortion services, including Planned Parenthood. Costs associated with abortion are already non-reimbursable under Medicaid, but 2,800 Montanans on Medicaid access preventative services such as cancer screenings and postpartum care at Planned Parenthood health centers, three of which are located in medical provider shortage areas.

Overall, the CBO estimates that the reconciliation bill will directly result in 11.8 million people in the United States losing health coverage by 2034, and the bill will reduce federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion by 2035. The bill includes four major changes to Medicaid, which will be enacted starting December 31, 2026. These include new work requirements for adults between the ages of 18 and 64; more frequent determination of eligibility; banning new or increased provider taxes to help pay the state costs of Medicaid programs; and eliminating two eligibility and enrollment rules that simplify processes for eligible people. Retroactive coverage, which provides a safeguard for new enrollees and allows providers to be reimbursed for medical expenses prior to the official Medicaid enrollment date, will be reduced from three months to one.

Alongside historically high cuts to Medicaid, the reconciliation bill implements changes to the Affordable Care Act. Primarily, these changes include shortening the open enrollment period by one month, restricting the types of Special Enrollment Period, and disqualifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Outside of the bill, the enhanced tax credit associated with the ACA is set to expire at the end of 2025. This tax credit, which provides health insurance subsidies for millions of Americans, was originally passed in the 2021 American Rescue Plan and was extended in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. On average, the enhanced tax credit has reduced premium payments by $705 a year for enrollees. The Congressional Budget Office projects that 4.2 million more people will be uninsured by 2034 if the tax credits expire. If allowed to expire, it is expected that enrollees’ out-of-pocket premium payments to increase by over 75% on average in 2026. To put this into perspective, if a household earns $82,000 a year and currently pays an annual premium

cost of $6,970, it is expected that their premium will increase to $28,236.

Currently, 77,000 Montanans access coverage through Marketplace, and 89% of people receive premium tax credits. An Urban Institute analysis found that if the enhanced ACA tax credit is allowed to expire, 7,000 more Montanans will be uninsured and 15,000 fewer Montanans will receive subsidized Marketplace coverage, a decrease of 26%.

Montana Farmers Union policy priorities include urging Congress to “enact comprehensive health care reform that provides all American citizens an affordable public option” and increasing access to and opposing “cuts in health care benefits and all premium rate increases to all Medicare and Medicaid recipients and veterans.” Montana Farmers Union believes that health care is a fundamental right and will continue to fight for equitable health care options for agricultural workers.

SNAP Benefits Cut

SNAP has been authorized within the Farm Bill since the 1973 Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act, and the two have historically been tied together. The coupling of the Farm Bill and SNAP has long been important since SNAP creates markets for farmers’ products; however, the passage of the bill allows for the separation of programs and policies that affect farmers. The budge reconciliation bill cuts SNAP benefits nationally by $186 billion over the next decade, and it is estimated that 22.3 million families will lose some or all of their SNAP benefits. While some people have painted SNAP as an economic drain, data show that for every $1 billion spent in SNAP funding, 13,560 jobs, including 500 agricultural jobs, are created. During fiscal year 2024, approximately 81,500 Montanans, 7.2% of the state’s population, received food assistance support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program each month. While state-specific data is not available, national data shows that among farming, fishing, and forestry workers, 19% are SNAP recipients, and at least 13% of farmworkers receive SNAP, though many more qualify. SNAP programs provide a way for Montanans of all income levels to purchase fresh foods from Montana farmers throughout the state.

Currently, the state of Montana splits the administrative costs for SNAP 50-50 with the federal government, but the federal government pays 100% of the cost of the benefits. Due to new regulations stipulated in the reconciliation bill, beginning October 1, 2026, Montana will be required to cover 75% of the administrative cost for SNAP. Based on Montana’s current SNAP administrative costs, this will translate to an additional cost of $22,005,000 annually for the State. Alongside this financial burden, the federal government will be adding to the administrative workload by increasing the complexity of current SNAP processes through the implementation of new mandates. An example of this is that states must now enforce stricter eligibility standards on SNAP recipients ages 18–64, including groups previously exempt under the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, which includes veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth. State administrators have also been tasked with identifying any SNAP recipients who are refugees, asylees, and trafficking survivors and terminating their benefits. The bill also increases the age for work requirements from 55 to 64.

Starting October 1, 2027, states will be required to share the cost of SNAP benefits. The required cost-sharing percentage is based on SNAP payment error rates. The payment error rate is calculated by measuring the percentage of both overpayments and underpayments to SNAP recipients, typically administrative errors, and is not a measure of fraud. In 2024, the payment error rate in Montana was 8.89%, while the national average was 10.93%. Currently, a payment error is counted if there is an over or underpayment of more than $57. The bill lowers that threshold to $0, so it is expected that error rates will increase in every state. Given Montana’s current error rate, the State will be required to cover 10% of the cost of SNAP benefits, an expected $16,587,000 annually. This will be the first time in America’s history that states will be responsible for covering any portion of SNAP benefits.

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With massive cuts and cost-sharing requirements to SNAP, it is unclear if states will continue to offer Double SNAP, a program offered in Montana that allows participants to extend their SNAP benefits when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. This program has been utilized by over 13,000 Montanans and has recirculated nearly $2 million into Montana’s local food economy. This program can be used at 43 sites in the state, which include 23 Farmers' Markets, two CSAs, one food box program, two farm stands, and 15 grocery stores. In a recent survey of 200 Double SNAP participants, over 95% reported they ate more fresh fruits and vegetables due to the program.

In Montana, we have 763 retailers that accept SNAP, including grocery stores and farmers' markets. SNAP spending helps many of the State’s rural and tribal grocery stores stay open, providing food in areas where options are limited. It is expected that some states will not be able to shoulder this additional financial burden and may choose to discontinue administering SNAP. We reached out to Gov. Gianforte’s office for comment on whether Montana plans to continue to participate in SNAP and how the State expects to provide match funds. No response was received. Montana Farmers Union strongly believes that “access to affordable, quality food is a basic human right.”

Changes to Conservation Funding

The budget reconciliation bill redirects around $10 billion in unspent Inflation Reduction Act dollars into several long-standing agricultural conservation programs, such as the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Conservation Stewardship Program, among others. While some view this as a win for farmers, President of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Mike Lavender notes that, “It’s positive from the standpoint that they’re putting more funding into agricultural conservation programs, but they’re also removing targeting that helps to prioritize some of the most popular, classic conservation practices that also just happen to be practices that help farmers build resilience and sequester carbon.”

Montana Farmers Union advocates for “conservation including soil, water, atmosphere and energy as a responsible economic investment in the future” and aims to balance the needs of climate, soil health, and food production.

Montana’s National Representatives

All four of Montana’s Congressional representatives, Troy Downing, Steve Daines, Ryan Zinke, and Tim Sheehy, voted for the final proposed version of the budget reconciliation bill.

Regarding the passage of the bill, Daines stated, “If Democrats had their way, they would force taxpayers to continue to fund Medicaid benefits to more than 1 million illegal immigrants and to nearly 5 million able-bodied adults who are not working or even seeking a job.”

That said, the Montana Budget & Policy Center shows 66% percent of Montana Medicaid enrollees work, with an additional 18% of enrollees attending school or sharing caretaking responsibilities, and the majority of the remaining 13% facing illnesses or disabilities that make it difficult to work. According to KFF.org, undocumented immigrants in the United States are not eligible for Medicaid, and despite having lower household incomes, lawfully present immigrants are less likely to apply for Medicaid than their U.S.-born citizen counterparts.

When asked if Downing plans to advocate for an extension to the enhanced ACA tax credit, he responded that he is “committed to fighting for a healthcare system that best serves the people of my district. The ACA is no doubt systemically flawed and heavily subsidized. I will be working in Congress to make sure Montanans are paying less for quality healthcare, not more.”

In response to inquires surrounding how the budget reconciliation bill might impact family farmers, Sheehy stated that he is “proud to have voted for the Big, Beautiful Bill to stop the largest tax increase in U.S. history, ensure predictability in our tax code for hardworking farmers looking to grow their operations, and begin eliminating the Death Tax that has unfairly penalized Ag families for years.”

Zinke did not respond to questions.

While it is difficult to predict the exact impact the budget reconciliation bill will have on Montana’s family farmers, it is clear that many of our local agricultural producers will lose access to essential health, nutrition, and conservation services over the next few years. With delayed start dates for some of the reconciliation bill legislation, any of the effects of the bill will likely not be felt until after the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. If you or those in your community are interested in advocating for these services, please contact your representatives and local Farmers Union staff.

MFU summer camps offer fun introduction to agriculture

By Jodi Koterba, Education Director

Did you know that Montana Farmers Union owns a summer camp? That’s right, we have a wonderful facility in the Highwood Mountains called Arrowpeak. This facility is the location for five overnight camps hosted by MFU each summer. The Mini Camp starts for kids ages 7-9 and the Senior Camp allows for youth to age 18, with camps for ages in between offered as well. The 2025 camp season was great with an amazing staff of counselors and camp co-directors. The behind-the-scenes teams of grounds/maintenance and cooks helped to round out the wonderful experience with great facilities and food. Total, more than 230 youth campers participated in an overnight camp hosted by Montana Farmers Union.

Other organizations also can rent the facility, and Arrowpeak was utilized by county 4-H groups, FFA Alumni Leadership Camp, and a church camp. You can also rent the space for family functions like weddings, reunions, and gatherings. The Arrowpeak camp facilities have many new buildings, recently landscaped areas, recreational opportunities, and even a garden and greenhouse.

This summer, MFU took the Arrowpeak camp experience on the road through 19 youth Day Camps, reaching 465 youths.

During the successful camps, participants learned about Dutch Oven cooking while making chicken and noodles and fruit cobblers for their lunch at the Chester Day camp hosted by Charlotte Kelly. Ben Peterson helped each camper at the Judith Basin Day camp brand their own piece of wood. Jori Bradford of Ever Westward Farms was a hit with the Kalalau pigs, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and peacocks at the MFU day camp at her farm. FFA members from the Nashua FFA chapter helped to present beef basics and the use of beef byproducts to the MFU Day Camp in Fort Peck. A donation from a local agriculture club in memory of Earlyne Lasalla, long time Montana Farmers Union member, grain producer, and lover of children, was used to purchase a grain mill. This grains station allowed participants to feel, smell, and see many different grain varieties. They then ground wheat flour, made salt dough ornaments, and decorated the ornaments with grain seeds. Simms FFA hosted a camp at their school that was a success for members and participants. MFU Member Elizabeth Riffe hosted a weeklong agriculture camp at Waterways CSA in Thompson Falls. MFU staff conducted the last day of activities. Barb Larson hosted the largest day camp of the summer in Shelby. Huge thanks to Shelby FFA, North Toole County FFA, and Toole County 4-H for their help and hard work with nearly 40 participants. We worked in the flower gardens of the Fritz Farm in Kalispell and the Land 2 Hand garden in Columbia Falls. The collaboration between staff and members to provide all these amazing experiences made for a fun and educational summer for all.

Reconnecting after grind seasons critical to health of rural communities

By Rachel Prevost, Member Services & Government Affairs Director

As Fall approaches and offers an opportunity to reset, I think about the continued uncertainty family farmers and ranchers are facing due to tariffs, other legislative limbo, and, for many in the state, the end of an out-of-the-ordinary harvest season weather-wise. Long summer days are a grind that can be isolating day in and day out. It’s times like this when you need to reconnect and refresh that the power of being a part of community – like Farmers Union – shines. Not long ago, I was sent an article by a Rocky Mountain Farmers Union staff member, noting that the article called out the value of a Farmers Union membership quoting a Montana Farmers Union member family.

The article was Activating Neighborliness Frames: Drawing on Culturally-Relevant Discourses of Community to Build a Stronger and More Diverse Environmental Movement, written by a fellow Montanan, Liz Carlisle.

Carlisle provides analysis and insight as she works on her dissertation, doing her research with Montana farmers and ranchers making a transition to other forms of agricultural practices on their farms and ranches.

While the theme and analysis of Carlisle’s article is much broader and in-depth than the simple synopsis I provide in this article, she identifies three themes in her article. I find two most applicable for Farmers Union. First: early exposure to cooperatives. And second: Carlisle identifies “the cultural practice of mutual aid.” Carlisle and the ranchers dub this as the verb “neighboring”.

This struck me deeply – this is the core of what we love in rural communities – but, in the face of uncertainty, it’s easy to self-isolate because that feels comfortable – hence pulling back from the act of “neighboring.” But to weather these times together, we must do the opposite and lean into “neighboring” again.

Carlisle writes in her article that this “neighboring” skill is not only applied to how the ranchers approach community, but also their cropping systems, saying, “Through a series of experiences that emphasized or revealed interdependence,

farmers had learned to see the world as a neighborhood, in which residents relied on one another and flourished through cooperation. Childhood values told them that being a good neighbor was important: in both moral terms and practical ones. …They were thus primed to recognize this ‘neighboring’ behavior in their cropping systems, and their experiences with ecological symbiosis further reinforced their ‘neighborhood’ model of human relationships.”

We see it when farmers from all types of agriculture come together to fight back against policy that would be harmful to agriculture, or when a previously quiet MFU member steps into a leadership role. It’s the power that Farmers Union has to bring people together for positive change in the face of uncertainty. It’s the power that our MFU Ambassador team provides to community by being a resource and ensuring MFU is there to support your collective work.

Carlisle’s dubbing and defining of neighboring helps create a pathway and a framework to use the value of Farmers Union membership to build community and achieve cooperative goals across all facets of our farm lives. Neighboring is the root of our human nature and our Farmers Union selves but only works when we commit to making it the way we live our lives day in and day out. In a time when uncertainty overwhelms, we must lean into Farmers Union together.

Our Farmers Union communities can give us the grit to dig in a little deeper, ground ourselves in good soil and grow neighboring capacity and involvement. The future of family farm agriculture depends on all of us tapping into our core selves and need to receive and do neighboring so there can be a future for the next generation. Don’t be afraid to double down on neighboring in your community. It’s easier to face uncertainties together – and Farmers Union is here to help.

Read Carlisle’s article, that originally appeared in Frontiers in Communication, Vol. 5, published Feb. 17, 2020, Sec. Science and Environmental Communication: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/ fcomm.2020.0000.

Montana Council of Cooperatives and Montana Cooperative Development Center: Building a Stronger Future Together

By Tracy McIntyre, Executive Director of Montana Cooperative Development Center

Montana has a long and proud history of cooperation. From rural electric cooperatives to credit unions, housing initiatives, and shared-service enterprises, the cooperative model has helped Montanans meet their needs and strengthen their communities for generations. Today, two organizations continue to carry this torch forward: the Montana Council of Cooperatives (MCOC) and the Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC). Together, they are modernizing cooperative law, nurturing new enterprises, and building an ecosystem that connects hundreds of cooperatives across the state and region.

Strengthening Montana’s Cooperative Voice

The Montana Council of Cooperatives serves as the statewide trade association representing cooperatives of all types and sizes. In recent years, the Council has achieved major wins in advancing the interests of cooperatives at the state level. Working closely with Montana legislators and the Secretary of State’s office, the Council successfully championed modernization of Montana’s cooperative statutes. These updates ensure that cooperative law keeps pace with today’s business environment, providing cooperatives with more flexible and effective tools for governance, capitalization, and member engagement.

This legislative success highlights the strength of the cooperative voice when united. By convening members across sectors—agriculture, energy, finance, retail, housing, and more—the Council demonstrates that cooperation among cooperatives is more than a principle; it is a practice that delivers real results for Montana communities.

Gathering Across Regions, Sharing Across Sectors

The Council’s efforts extend beyond policymaking. This summer, MCOC hosted a series of regional gatherings that brought together cooperative leaders, employees, and members from across the state. These events were not only an opportunity for networking but also for crosssector collaboration. Cooperatives of different makes and models—electric, broadband, food, finance, and beyond— came together to share challenges, discover solutions, and explore how collective action can amplify their impact. By emphasizing how diverse cooperatives can work together, the Council is helping to break down silos and

build stronger regional economies. These gatherings underscored the idea that while cooperatives may differ in purpose or structure, they share common values and can support one another’s success.

Nurturing New Cooperatives and Innovation

While the Council focuses on advocacy and collaboration, the Montana Cooperative Development Center plays a vital role in helping new cooperatives take root and thrive. MCDC provides technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, and strategic guidance to groups interested in forming cooperatives. From early exploration to formal organization, MCDC is the go-to resource for Montanans looking to turn cooperative ideas into reality.

This year, MCDC celebrated several landmark achievements. Among the most significant was the formalization of the Pikuni Tea Cooperative, the first Native American cooperative in Montana. This groundbreaking cooperative not only supports economic self-determination for the Blackfeet Nation but also demonstrates how the cooperative model can preserve culture, build wealth, and create opportunity within tribal communities.

Another major win came with the launch of the Montana Women’s Finance Cooperative. This pioneering cooperative is setting the stage for how investment cooperatives can address capital needs across the state. These achievements illustrate MCDC’s role as both a technical partner and a catalyst for innovation.

Building a Statewide Cooperative Ecosystem

Together, the MCOC and MCDC are nurturing a broad cooperative ecosystem. Working through cooperative records, the Council has identified over 200 cooperatives operating in Montana. The Council is now working to unite and promote this significant cooperative community, which includes both Montana-based cooperatives as well as regional and national cooperatives that serve Montana members.

This ecosystem thrives through collaboration with organizations such as the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association, Broadband MT, and Montana’s Credit Unions. By working in close partnership with these established institutions, MCOC and MCDC ensure that cooperatives of all types are connected, visible, and positioned to succeed.

Looking Toward the Future

As both organizations continue their important work, discussions are underway about a potential consolidation between the Council and MCDC. The goal of this conversation is to further streamline services, strengthen representation, and build longterm sustainability for Montana’s cooperative community.

More information on this process will be shared with members and partners during upcoming events. The first will take place at the Co-op Month Celebration on October 23rd at Annie’s in Great Falls. This will be followed by the Annual Meeting on Jan15 at the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association building in Great Falls, with a hybrid participation option available.

These gatherings will offer opportunities not only to learn more about consolidation but also to celebrate the collective accomplishments of Montana’s cooperatives and chart a course for the future.

Magazine Contributors Fall 2025

Ali Moxley is a food and agriculture-focused freelance journalist and grant writer based in Bozeman. She centers farmer perspectives, equity issues, and environmental stewardship in her writing. She has a master‘s degree in Sustainable Food Systems from Montana State University.

Northern Pulse Growers is a nonprofit association representing dry pea, lentil, chickpea, lupin and fava bean growers from Montana and North Dakota. The Northern Pulse Growers Association strives to increase pulse producers profitability through education, research, domestic and international marketing and government relations.

Tracy McIntyre is a Eureka native who understands the importance of economic development in Montana’s communities. She is currently executive director of the Montana Cooperative Development Center.

Jasmine Krotkov is a Master Gardener with decades of experience designing and installing chinook zone gardens. She grows fruits and vegetables at elevation, where the growing season is short and the deer are hungry. She has taken time out from gardening to work as an advocate publicly for peace and a clean and healthful environment.

Lauren Crowder is a fifth generation rancher in Central Montana. She is currently MFU‘s Intern and studying Business Administration at the University of Providence. She was a Montana 4-H member for 10 years and served as a Chouteau County Ambassador.

Bella Folino is an associate for Montana Farmers Union. Originally from Pennsylvania, she has a background in environmental education and professional writing. She intends to pursue her master‘s in environmental journalism.

Carissa McNamara, alongside her husband and son, owns Wild Horse Lavender, which is home to 27 value-added products, produce production, hay, cut flowers, timber and her son’s flock of registered Dorper sheep. Carissa is never standing still and is always looking for ways to steward both the practice and philosophy of agriculture for the next two generations. Carissa’s passion is advocating for family farms and rural communities, and she serves as an Ambassador for Montana Farmers Union and is active in the community through various organizations. She holds a Master‘s degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University, as well as bachelor‘s degrees in both Psychology and Anthropology from Weber State University.

Jodi Koterba is the Education Director and an Ambassador for Montana Farmers Union, developing curriculum, workshops, articles, and the Lunch & Learn Podcast to educate the public in and about agriculture. Koterba retired after 29 years of teaching high school agriculture and advising FFA chapters.Two agriculture curriculums written by her are currently sold nationwide.

Alice Miller is a Press Pelations Specialist with Montana Farmers Union and also serves as an MFU Magazine Co-Editor. Originally from the East Coast, she roamed The West as a newspaper reporter before settling down on her husband’s Hi-Line family farm and ranch, where they raise small grains, pulses, oil seeds, and Simmental Cattle.

Heather Link, the Communications Director at Montana Farmers Union, is also a Co-Editor and responsible for the layout and design of MFU Magazine. She holds a bachelor’s degree and over 15 years of marketing and design experience. Growing up, she visited her family’s farm on the Hi-Line, which is 110 years old and still operates today. She is married with two children and resides in Great Falls.

Rachel Prevost is the Membership Services and Government Affairs Director at Montana Farmers Union. Prevost grew up on her family’s farm and ranch in Northeastern Montana and was a 10-year member of 4-H and 5-year member of Montana FFA. Prevost studied Political Science, Communication Studies, and Public Relations for her undergraduate degrees and cares deeply about the vitality of our rural communities and the sustainability of family farms for generations to come.