V O L U M E 3 0
SEPTEMBER 2021
M O N TA N A
GRASS ROOTS
F E E D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H F A R M E R S U N I O N E D U C AT I O N A P U B L I C AT I O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE PAYS OFF FOR ONE FARMERS UNION MEMBER B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O E D I TO R
Tiber Ridge Farm, settled in the Golden Triangle near Chester, is owned and operated by John Wicks and Gwyenth Givens. John moved back to the farm at the age of 21 in 2005 after his dad passed away. Tiber Ridge, once a conventional farm, is now certified organic. Conventional farming utilizes chemical fertilizers to stimulate crop growth. Organic farmers rely on biodiversity and composting to capture carbon and improve soil health. Wicks has found success raising beluga lentils, a high-dollar crop, which helps improve soil health.
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MEMBER profile
TIBER RIDGE FARM HEDGES MEGAN
favoring corporate farms and large-scale operations. We decided to transition the whole farm to organic. It is a lot easier to turn a profit, even though it was a little more work and a lot more management. We are having a lot of fun farming again. We continue to learn and grow with an open mind."
The Transition to Organic Wicks and Givens use farming techniques that trace back a millennia ago to fight weeds and pests by crop rotation and cover crop mixes to improve soil health. The transition from conventional to organic can be overwhelming for some, He also grows einkorn wheat, an and the farming practices are somewhat ancient grain, the oldest domesticated different.Wicks said the key to success wheat globally that is very drought with organic farming is patience and tolerant. "We were trying to keep ahead perseverance. C O N T I N U E D PA G E 4 of a system that was seeming to be
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID LIVINGSTON, MT PERMIT NO. 93
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MONTANA PREMIUM PROCESSING COOPERATIVE ON PACE TO BE OPERATIONAL BY THE END OF 2021 B Y M AT T R A I N S S P E C I A L P RO J E C T S M A N AG E R
John Wicks at Tiber Ridge Farm north of Great Falls. Photo courtesy of Jason Thompson Photography.
to the cooperative, finalize the processing facility located at Havre, and begin construction projects. MPPC is still on track to start harvesting and processing livestock by the end of the year.
MPPC will begin processing beef with the capacility The Montana Premium Processing Cooperative to expand to hogs, sheep, and bison. MPPC will allow (MPPC) has been one of Montana Farmer's Union early booking rights to members for slots throughout leading projects for 2021. July and August were huge the year. The ultimate goal of MPPC is to help ranches months that resulted in the completion of the Bylaws, develop profitable hoof-to-table retail businesses. Articles of Incorporation, registration of the official Primary constraints for Montana ranchers are a lack name, implementing the initial Board of Directors, and of capacity, reliability, and in-state USDA / statebeing filed and approved by both the Montana Secretary inspected facilities. Cooperative members can develop of State and Montana Commissioner of Securities and their livestock finishing plans to ensure the year-round Insurance. Simply put, we are ready to accept members C O N T I N U D O N PA G E 6
PAGE 2 Calumet Refinery Commits to a Renewable Future
PAGE 5 Grasshopper Outbreak Devastates Montana Crops
PAGE 11 4-H Livestock Sales See Huge Increase
