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CONFERENCE CELEBRATES MT WOMEN Nearly 90 women gathered over their love of Montana’s farming and ranching communities during the Montana Farmers Union 10th Annual Women’s Conference. Attendees listened to inspiring speakers, participated in hands-on workshops and networked with women from across the state during the conference held at Fairmont Hot Springs Feb. 10-12. “Women’s Conference celebrates the women who are the backbone of our rural communities, whether it’s directly in production agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, local food development, food system advocacy, looking to grow
in leadership, or finding a network of women who want to learn and lead together, it’s truly endless,” said Rachel Prevost, who serves as MFU’s membership services director. Topics ranged from developing youth leadership to lentils, to spices, to seeds, to scientific advancements, to conflict resolution, to mental health, to tackling big ideas in small towns. Though the topics were varied, the importance of storytelling was threaded throughout the conference. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Roughly 90 women gathered for the 10th Annual Montana Farmers Union Women’s Conference at Fairmont Hot Springs in February. The women participated in hands-on workshops, as well as hearing from speakers and panels, such as the one shown here focused on facilitating youth leadership.
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MFU Foundation Grant Cycle Opens March 1 Montana Farmers Union Foundation is now accepting grant applications for projects that focus on education and align with the Foundation’s goal of contributing to the growth and enhancement of Montana agricultural and rural communities.
development. Montana Farmers Union is a grassroots organization, and the Foundation’s grant program dovetails well with MFU’s principles of cooperation and education to buoy rural communities.
“When you talk about grassroots, the idea is: Start here locally and then spreading the idea outward,” Anyone can apply, regardless of MFU membership, and Clark said. submitted projects should have ag education for any age group or range as a key element in the proposal. The grants are a way to help individuals and communities “Being able to extend some projects out there that do just that. might be meaningful for our rural communities is what we’re trying to do – and just keep ag in the forefront,” “The biggest thing I’m looking forward to is giving access to more local people’s ideas,” Clark said, encouraging MFU board member Tom Clark said. people to apply. Last year, the Foundation awarded and leveraged more than $30,000 to community projects. “If you have an idea, at least try. If you do put in for a grant that doesn’t get accepted the first time, update One of the Foundation’s major focuses is education the application and apply again,” he said. about agriculture and rural issues for Montanans of all ages. The Foundation also focuses on enhancing The brief application is available at https:// rural prosperity through economic and cooperative montanafarmersunion.com/mfu-foundation/. The application deadline is May 1.