Page 18 - Agriculture Magazine, September 2020
Agriculture Heritage Notebook The Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust
interpretation and affirm cultural values.
works in partnership with families,
The Heritage Trust provides an article for
neighborhoods and communities to restore
each edition of Agricultural Magazine,
historic structures, bring back traditional
highlighting the Bitterroot Valley’s
events and celebrations, encourage
agricultural history and heritage.
Story & photos WENDY BEYE
My plan was to interview brothers Tom and Cliff Ruffatto in May, but mechanical failures and COVID-19 restrictions threw their respective monkey wrenches into that plan. Finally, on a miraculously smoke-free August day with no rain in sight, I drive up Bass Creek Road to visit the loquacious
Ruffatto boys. Though I am a bit early for my appointment with Tom, he is waiting for me on his shaded driveway, anxious to share his family story. The farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings are all in good repair, and flowers brighten the yard. The first thing Tom wants to show me is the bunk-
