Agriculture

RONAN — On March 25, the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Agriculture Appreciation Dinner for the first time in two years, this time honoring locals Beth and Craig Blevins. The Blevins have been a busy couple during their decades living in Mission Valley. Beth has served as a veterinarian in the area for 35 years, while Craig has worked as an A.I. tech for 45. On top of their careers, raising Black Angus and commercial cattle on their farm, and bringing up their children Michaela and Ethan, the couple has dedicated years of their lives to the community.  Craig served as beef superintendent for four years, served on the Market Livestock Committee, and he...

Weather cooperating, on April 1 detour signs come down, the road traversing Crow Dam southwest of Ronan opens after a two-year closure, and Crow Reservoir will gradually begin to fill again after 16 years of limited storage.  Farmers in the area will no doubt be relieved. Downstream, the reservoir wa...

Farmers and ranchers have always been at the mercy of market volatility and weather, but 2022 could be one for the record books.  While the annual inflation rate hit 7.9% across the board for American families in February, some costs for farms and ranches have skyrocketed far beyond that.  &l...

The Lake County Conservation District is expanding its pollinator initiative this year, bringing the movement into urban Ronan.  The local pollinator initiative began in 2017 when district board member Susan Gardner brought up her concern about the bees. A sheep farmer with a deep interest in agricul...

The Lake County Conservation district held a “How To” guest speaker series recently with Pheasants Forever on renovating land for planting flowering species. Establishing new plants on a small acreage ultimately boils down to a few simple steps.  Consider the land and seeds: First and ...

Springtime is almost here, which means farmers and local producers will be bringing out the freshest goods in the Mission Valley area soon. If you are in the market for fresh, local produce, or you want to introduce your family to new, local and healthy choices each week, you might find a Community Supported...

  POLSON — Among other farm-related talents, horses have the uncanny ability to jump fences, breeze around barrels and run-down cattle.  All these activities require healthy muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints performing at their optimum potential. Based on human massage techniqu...

News from NCRS BOZEMAN —  The Montana Association of Conservation Districts, Montana Watershed Coordination Council and partners are reaching out across the state for input. This coalition is working to find out what more might be done to better support farmers and ranchers in managing soils ...

News from Land to Hand Montana KALISPELL/ COLUMBIA FALLS — Free the Seeds returns to the Flathead Valley March 5–7, 2022, for the seventh year of workshops and a free seed giveaway. This year’s event features two locations for the open-pollinated seed giveaway and free virtual workshop...

News from the Montana Department of Revenue HELENA — Montanans have just a few more weeks to report the number of each type of livestock they own in order to pay the per capita fees set yearly by the Montana Board of Livestock. Livestock reports are due March 1. Owners can report online through...