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MARCH 2022
M O N T A N A
GRASS ROOTS
F E E D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H FA R M E R S U N I O N E D U C AT I O N A P U B L I C AT I O N B Y M O N TA N A FA R M E R S U N I O N
Spring Events Provide Community & Connection The National Farmers Union held the 120th Annual Convention in late February-early March. Located in Denver, Colorado, it was the first in-person National Convention since 2019. Representatives from Montana included MFU board delegates, youth delegates, members and MFU staff. Members from Montana also presented in break-out sessions: Kate Stephens contributed on the “Next Generation in Ag” panel, and Paul Neubauer spoke to “How Cooperatives Make Farmers Resilient.” Also returning to an in-person event was the Montana Farmers Union Women’s Conference held in February at Fairmont Hot Springs. This was the 9th annual convening, and the Women’s Conference shows no sign of losing momentum. The attendees of the 2022 Montana Farmers Union Women’s Conference included over 60 women from around Montana.
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID LIVINGSTON, MT PERMIT NO. 93
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Member Kelly Alvstad Stays True to Her Roots
Although she’s new to Montana Farmers Union, agriculture runs in Kelly Alvstad’s blood. The Berks County, PA native grew up on a farm and moved to Montana 13 years ago. A woman of many talents, she owns The Shoppes at Peifer’s General Store with an attached coffee shop and a custom furniture refinishing business, and is a mother and wife – all while instilling a love of agriculture in the next generation as an ag teacher and FFA advisor in Sidney. Q: What does your operation look like? CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
MFU Member Kelly Alvstad in her shop in Sidney, MT.