Agriculture Magazine March 2014

march 2014

M A G A Z I N E featuring L O C A L

In this issue

Valley vet Jack Ward Grantsdale goats Hamilton Farmers Market Bitterroot Stockgrowers award

FOODS

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 3

in this issue

Valley veterinarian of 56 years...................... 5 Raising goats in Grantsdale.......................... 8 Birthing in the Bitterroot Valley.................. 10 Duces’ Wild.................................................. 13 Bitterroot Stockgrowers award................... 14 Farm Census................................................ 17 Hamilton Farmers Market........................... 18 Local producer listing.................................. 20 NrcS Forestry outreach.............................. 24 Agriculture Heritage notebook.................. 26

MAGAZINE How did you like this issue of Agriculture Magazine?

Do you have any ideas you’d like to share with us for our next issue?

Let us know. Sent comments to: 232 West Main, Hamilton, MT 59840 or editor@ravallirepublic.com Photos on this page by Stacie Duce & Wendy Beye Cover Photo by Perry Backus Agriculture Magazine is published by the Ravalli Republic & Missoulian Newspapers, divisions of Lee Enterprises Jim McGowan, Publisher Sherry Devlin, Editor Jim Coulter, General Manager Dara Saltzman, Production & Design Agriculture Magazine is copyright 2014, Ravalli Republic.

232 W Main, Hamilton, MT 59840 ravallirepublic.com

Page 4 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

Norman Bolin in front of his barn with his horse. photo from Ravalli County Museum

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stacie duce / RAVALLI REPUBLIC

At 82 years old, Jack Ward of Hamilton is one of the oldest and most experienced practicing veterinarians in the state Montana.

Hamilton veterinarian still going strong at 82 Story and photos by STACIE DUCE for the Ravalli Republic

With his 82nd birthday just around the corner, Dr. Jack Ward could very well be the oldest practicing veterinarian in Montana.

“I decided a few years ago, that as long as my mind is good and my physical condition is decent, I’ll keep working,” he said from his office in a trailer behind his home south of Hamilton.

He and his wife, Della, have named their place the “Done Movin’ Ranch” – a title they could have adopted 56 years ago when Jack first took a job in the Bitterroot Valley after earning his doctorate and never left.

Jack grew up in Hysham, about 80 miles east of Billings. He had just graduated from high school when he took a job with a rancher and spent the coldest Christmas of his life all alone in a bunk-

Page 6 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

house with the responsibility to break the ice so 350 cows could drink water while the temperatures tanked below zero for several weeks straight.

“I had a black mare, an ax and a shovel and rode around trying to keep the water open for them,” he said.

After the new year, the other ranch hands showed up to move the herd. For several days they worked to move the cattle forward. “We’d arrive at our destination at midnight and it’d be 38 degrees below zero and we’d still have to feed and water. By the next morning it would warm up to 20 below and we’d travel down the road again. … When we finally made it to the home ranch, my hands and feet were frozen, but then we had to feed them so I hooked a team on a wagon in the dark and started pitching hay from the back. The next morning I was peeling off my layers of coats because it warmed from 10-below to 50 degrees in about an hour when a Chinook came through. We had water running all over the place then and had a whole new set of problems.”

He said, “That winter there were only two days that were above zero from two weeks before Christmas until the end of February. I decided then and there I was pretty tired of the cold weather.

But I still wanted to lease my folks place since that seemed like the right thing to do. I was only 18 years old, so nobody wanted to lsend me any money. It was tough times.”

Ward volunteered for the draft since most of his buddies were in the service in Korea at the time.

Two weeks later he was in Butte having his physi-

cal which didn’t look good when he admit that he wore a back support brace while working.

Jack and Della were on a date to the movie theater when he heard the bad news that he had failed his military physical. The secretary to the draft board was the same person taking tickets at the movie theater and told him, “We sent you to Butte for nothing.”

It was decision time for the newlyweds. Jack had entertained thoughts of becoming a veterinarian, but had planned to “do his time” in the service so he could go to school on a G.I. bill.

“So there I was, wanting to go to college with no money,” he said. “Times were real tough, so I decided to go anyway. I told my folks I would be leaving the first of August. I don’t think they believed me. But Della believed in me.”

Jack worked almost full-time while going to school in Bozeman. “There were nine of us who applied to vet school and I was the only one who made it,” he said. “So Della and I packed up everything we owned in the car – everything except the ironing board because we couldn’t fit that in – and we were off to Pullman, Wash.”

After four years, Jack graduated from the veterinary program. He had an internship during the summer between his junior and senior year in Illinois with an established practice.

“He made me a pretty good offer, but I’d had enough of Illinois and was ready to get back to Montana,” he said. “So we came to Hamilton. I never made enough money to get out of here, so we’ve been here ever since.”

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Jack and Della bought a home with several acres on Daly Avenue in Hamilton. They adopted a boy and a girl before having a boy and girl of their own. Their children went to school down the street at Daly Elementary and Jack set up practice, first with partners and eventually on his own.

For the first few years, he treated small animals, “but when I went out on my own, for the last 40 years, I’ve focused most of my care on large animals. Back in the day, I rotated shifts with the other vets in the valley so that one of us was available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for house calls and we were plenty busy.”

During the months of February and March when ranches were calving, there were many nights Jack said he never went to bed.

“My busiest day one Spring was when I delivered eight calves, performed three ceasarians and took care of whatever else came up in between,” he said.

He did a lot of work on the Stock Farm and for various ranchers in the southern end of the valley.

“At the time, I’d pert near been on every ranch in the Bitterroot, but today, they’re all split up and most of the dairies are gone. Today there are 14 vets between here and Missoula – almost more veterinarians than we have cows,” he said in jest.

In 1983, Jack won a Practitioner Research Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association for his “outstanding accomplishments in veterinary medical research by a practicing veterinarian,” the plaque reads. He said he published his research on calf losses and infertility in brood mares, which was later published in text books for students.

“I was pretty proud of that,” he said.

Nowadays, he spends most of his study time researching the issues surrounding the long-term effects of the wolf introduction of 1994. He is the veterinary consultant for the Ravalli Country chapter of the Western Predator Control Association and was instrumental in publishing a 30-page pamphlet on predator diseases that he hopes ranchers and hunters will keep as a field guide, disease report and an educational guide to warn against diseases and parasites that he believes are

being spread by wolf scat.

“Because there was so much to eat, wolves have become prolific,” he said. “And if people knew the diseases they spread, they’d be scared to death.”

He said cystic hydatid disease is from tapeworms that lay eggs in the intestines of carnivores, like wolves, whose droppings infect the plants eaten by herbivores. He said hunters should check for cysts on major organs of the game they harvest and practice caution by washing the clothes they wear outdoors and by not eating their wild game cooked rare.

“I hate to say it, but the threat of wolves is less about loss of livestock and more about the diseases they spread,” he said. “Unfortunately, we are pretty outnumbered by those who love wolves, but it doesn’t mean we’re not going to keep trying to educate people.”

Jack laments the losses of so many ranches and dairies over the years and hopes younger generations don’t give up on making a living in agriculture.

“It tough, but probably no tougher than what we went through, just different,” he said. “Now if they don’t inherit land, I’m not sure they could buy into a ranch and make it. But land prices should be coming down so that should give some people hope.”

Despite the incredible snow the Bitterrroot experienced this winter, Jack said because of the warm temperatures, especially in January, “Most people don’t know what the hell real winters are. … But I’m glad I learned what I did when I did and I’m glad I found a job I liked. Della and I have had our ups and downs but she loves me and I guess that’s all that matters now.”

To contact Dr. Jack Ward for veterinary services, call his office at 406-363-1492. To learn more about the Western Predator Control Association, write to P.O. Box 787 Hamilton, MT 59840 or call Dr. Ward at his office.

Stacie Duce is a freelance writer for the Ravalli Republic.

Page 8 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

stacie duce / RAVALLI REPUBLIC

Tanya Borkholder and her daughter Ashlynn raise Nubian and Boer goats for meat and milk in the Bitterroot Valley.

Raising goats in Grantsdale Story and photo by STACIE DUCE for the Ravalli Republic

GRANTSDALE – On a revitalized ranch in Grantsdale, cows have made way for the preferred productive herd of choice – adorable Nubian and Boer goats that offer meat and milk. Tanya Borkholder and her daughter Ashlynn just finished welcoming a new batch

of registered kids to the world and are in the tough, yet necessary, process of weaning.

In their second year of breeding, Tanya said, “It’s been really fun because we’ve got a very healthy herd with lots of color. This year, almost every one was sold before they dropped on the ground.”

The warmer January weather helped

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 9

immensely because it wasn’t necessary to bring them all in to the barn at night and they only needed some heat lamps to help a few weak ones until their mother’s bottled colostrum got them back on the feet and finding their mother again, Tanya said.

The mother/daughter team agrees that they love the breeds because of their individual personalities, versatility and mild manners. “Not only are their colors incredible, but they’re very multi-purpose,” Tanya said. “We’ve got some of the best pasture around because they are wonderful weed eaters. They pick out the weeds at just the right time. Their meat is actually better than chicken with more protein per pound. …

And their milk is good to drink as long as you’re feeding the goats the right feed. When we give them a little sweet feed, their milk tastes very similar to almond milk.”

Tanya milks every day – an even more laborious chore while weaning. Ashlynn is homeschooled and spends time every day socializing the goats after her studies are finished.

“She is very attentive,” said Tanya. “She’s the one who watched the fields during kidding; she knows who’s eating well and who might need some attention.”

Ashlynn even brought two babies to her bed at night until they were strong enough to join the herd again. And now, they come running when she enters the pen.

Ashlynn is a member of the Sapphire Shamrocks 4H Club and showed goats last year for the first time taking home a reserve champion ribbon as well as several blue ribbons.

“I worked with them a whole lot,” Ashlynn said. “So for the most part they behaved.”

Tanya added, “Their confirmation and color was also very good and got the attention of the judges.”

Tanya said the judges last year were very helpful with anatomy lessons while the 4H kids were in the ring with their animals, so they all know how to prepare even better this year.

Ashlynn plans to show several goats in both

the meat and milk classes and is motivated even more by the great price they received at the auction last year.

“We were shocked when they earned $6 to $8 per pound last year and that’s pretty good when you’ve got a 100-pound goat to sell,” Tanya said. “It was pretty exciting.”

Several of the Nubians the Borkholders recently sold will be shown by other 4H families in the pack goat class at the fair as well.

Tanya and Ashlynn have looked over the new kids checking for overbites or severe underbites, they look for strong backs and strong muscles around the udders. They are also careful to tattoo their ears, take individual photos and send the registrations to either the America Boer Goat Association or the American Dairy Goat Association. The registered status not only confirms the pure breed but also attaches another star on their milk rating. Because one of their mini-Nubian bucks was born from a four-star doe, then anything he sires gets an automatic star on its rating.

But Ashlynn is age-appropriately more concerned about naming and discovering the personality of each animal.

“They are totally hilarious to watch,” she said.

Tanya admits that sometimes, they come out to the barn to just watch. “It’s the best kind of therapy around,” she said.

At 10 weeks, the kids will be ready for new homes after they’ve been dehorned and loved enough to be very sociable and meek.

They have a new boar buck that will be arriving soon at the ranch that Tanya called, “amazing” and will solidify plans to continue breeding and building the herd.

Plus, Ashlynn has her own plans for expansion. She’s recently purchased her first kid from the family business that she can call her own.

“They just so adorable,” she said.

Stacie Duce is a freelance writer for the Ravalli Republic.

Page 10 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

It’s birthing season in the Bitterroot Valley

By Dr. Linda Kauffman, DVM for the Ravalli Republic

“Hey Doc, something is stickin’ out of her!”

There are many veterinarians who have had conversations with livestock owners that begin much like this. Whether the animal is a cow, mare, doe or ewe, new or inexperienced owners are often puzzled. by some of the events surrounding the birth process (parturition). This article focuses on sheep (ewes) and goats (does).

NOTE: These are the notes from experiences of the author. If you seek assistance on the Internet, be sure it is a reliable source such as an Agricultural University or veterinary school, not a lay person’s opinion. Also KNOW your local veterinarian.

Know Your Local Veterinarian The importance of knowing the local, large animal veterinarian ahead of time cannot be stressed enough! A way to get started would be to make an appointment with the large animal veterinarian of your choice and: I. Discuss your animals, the environment you have provided for them and your needs and expectations.

2. Exchange contact information in the event of emergencies.

3. Arrange for a “ranch visit” by the veterinarian to become familiarized with your operations and surroundings.

Let’s Begin With Nutrition The females should be in good “working” condition: I. An animal that is too fat, you cannot feel the backbone or rib, may be obese. An animal

that remains obese is often a poor milk producer due to the replacement of the mammary gland tissue with fat. Obesity can also interfere with or cause problems with the birthing process.

2. An animal that is too thin whose back, pelvic and rib bones are easily visible and palpable may also be a poor milk producer.

3. If your animals still have their heavy fleeces, then you will have to put your hands on them to know their “working” condition for sure. (Larger breeders shear prior to lambing.)

Generally, good quality hay provides adequate nutrition along with a good, complete mineral program. Often times, does and ewes are fed grain after parturition to help them make-up for the additional energy loss from lactation.

Another factor to be considered is the use of a doe for personal or commercial milk production. These animals will need extra energy in the form of protein and carbohydrate in order to lactate properly and still maintain their body weight. A good female will put all she can, energy wise, into milk production either for kids and lambs and/or for their owner’s use.

Consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure about how much or what to feed, as well as the importance of adequate mineral supplementation. Be sure you remain aware that horse mineral has far too much copper in it for small ruminants, and they can actually die from an overdose of copper in horse minerals and feed.

Vaccination is Important Vaccinations are another important part of

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 11

preparation for the new babies. All livestock, including horses, require colostrum, or fi rst milk, from their dams within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Vaccinating the does and ewes with a clostridial vaccine 4 weeks prior to lambing or kidding, will provide the best possible level of antibodies or protection for the babies from some of the nasty diseases lurking in their environment. The clostridium family is one of them.

Vaccines include an 8-way with tetanus, such as Covexin 8 or a product known as COT, which protects against three types of clostridial diseases. The mothers will also produce antibodies in the milk naturally that will help protect their off-spring from diarrheal diseases.

Shelter Preparation Prepare a shelter of some sort to keep the new mothers in a small area with their babies, away from the rest of the flock. These small sheltered areas are often referred to as “jugs.” They are not absolutely necessary, but they are quite helpful when a doe or ewe has twins or triplets.

Keeping them in jugs will help mother and baby bond and give you a chance to be sure all the babies have nursed and gotten colostrum (first milk) and that they are continuing to nurse and thrive.

Once the mothers and new babies are turned out with the rest of the flock, life will become much more chaotic and other lambs may steal milk from a ewe and cause one of her own lambs to receive less and begin to slowly starve.

You need to be observant and separate the problem lamb or begin bottle feeding the lamb that is losing his nutrition to a more aggressive thief.

Bedding is of course a good idea; either shavings or straw. Fresh water daily and of course hay and grain if you decide to feed it.

In extremely cold temperatures a heated barn or heat lamps may be necessary to keep the youngsters warm. A trip to the house is necessary or even a warm water bath if you’ve discovered a chilled lamb. (Weak, not able to stand;

mouth and tongue cool to the touch.)

Signs of Impending Parturition 1. Stage 1. Labor: Often the female will be more restless, stand off by herself (ideally you will put the mothers who appear to be close to lambing or kidding in one of your jugs). She also usually will quit eating. Some ewes and does show very few outward signs other than the stomping of a foot. You might notice in the last 12 to 24 hours prior to parturition, udder (mammary glands) become very full.

2. Stage 2. Labor: Often time, the first thing you will notice is the amniotic sack, or “water bag” hanging out of the vulva. Once it is part way out, it can look like a small reddish brown balloon. This stage may last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The next part of Stage 2 is when the dam gets down to business and begins pushing. The uterus goes into heavy, regular contractions. a. If the fetus (baby) is in a normal position, front feet first with the head on the front limbs, sort of a “diving” position, and the birth will occur fairly quickly. Usually, the ewe or doe will stand up, tum around and begin vigorously licking the newborn, which immediately stimulates it and assists in its breathing. b. If this is a multiple birth, within 10 to 15 minutes, the next baby will appear in the same fashion as the first. Often times with healthy animals the first baby is well on its way to standing by the time the second one arrives.

3. Stage 3 Expulsion (passing) of the placenta: The expulsion or passing of the placenta usually occurs once all the fetuses have been expelled.

When to Call for Assistance I. Stage 1 (restlessness and the passing of some fluid) lasts longer than 2 to 4 hours.

2. Stage 2, if the female is lying down, straining

Page 12 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

and you can see hard abdominal contractions and no fetus is expelled. 20 minutes is about the maximum time, but a bit longer for a first time mother. If the process lasts much longer, assistance is needed.

3. Stage 2, if you see one leg only, the head only or even a tail appear at the vulva, assistance will be needed.

4. If Stage 2 lasts into a number of hours, assistance is needed. This may be due to a number of things: a. Malpositioned fetus - breach. b. Multiple fetuses that are “tangled up” and not allowing the birth of either. c. Cervix not dilating - as in women, some females just do not dilate, requiring a caesarean or C-section. Often this occurs in subsequent pregnancies.

5. In conclusion: Timing is important, as is what you see emerging from the vulva. As mentioned earlier, it is of paramount importance that these babies receive colostrum within a

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few hours of birth. Either their mother’s or an artificial source (dried, packaged and sold commercially).

If you are new to this whole process, be sure you have already met a veterinarian and know how to reach them in an emergency.

Dr. Linda Kauffman is a Bitterroot Valley veterinarian, at Burnt Fork Vetrinary Clinic in Stevensville

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Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 13

Duce’s Stacie Duce

Raising chicks and kids

My mother-in-law always seems completely shocked when we answer that yes, all seven of our spring chickens have almost made it to their first birthday. Maybe it’s because they free range in an area adjacent to a predator’s playground.

Maybe it’s because our makeshift winter shelter hastily concocted from hay bales and plywood has surprisingly stood the test of time and record snowfall. Maybe she can’t believe that our plump, old goat has served well in his role of night guardian. But nevertheless, the hens continue to peck the yard, welcome our leftover bread crusts with grateful clucks and oh yeah, lay an egg now and then.

Now that the sun shines later in the day, our egg production has increased significantly. We were lucky to get two eggs a day during the dark winter weeks, but now my kids regularly gather five or six eggs every afternoon. None of us have spent the time to spy and discover which hen is non-productive, but we took courage when an egg the size of a large jelly bean appeared in the nesting box – at least she’s trying, whoever she is.

If we were operating a serious poultry production operation, we’d have turned that non-producing chicken into noodle soup by now. But for me, I’m glad no one has taken the time to label and condemn.

I’m sure that our rate of egg laying would improve if the goat would stop eating the laying mash and the chickens wouldn’t choose his sweet feed, but they all seem fat and happy, so why force the picky eaters to conform to our recipes

W

ild

for success.

There are many reasons why people can’t resist those fluffy chicks every spring from the feed stores in town – some hope for the flavor and brightly colored yolk of fresh eggs, others love the meat that hasn’t been stuffed with steroids.

Nobody can possibly love the daily commitment required to put out fresh water and gather the eggs, but it rules our routines nonetheless.

For our family, the spring chicks were generous gift from grandma for a boy who’s avid interest in poultry farming would not be denied. And as our season comes full circle, we realize, we’ve raised more than just chicks. Raising kids with a few farm animals increases the acceptance of responsibility exponentially when they have to care for more than themselves. It’s also fun to watch the satisfaction when breakfast’s faire includes scrambled eggs and antelope sausage from their own harvests.

But on the other side of the opinion poll, one of my daughters, in particular, has vowed to never own a pooping pet for as long as she lives when she has a house of her own. I’m curious to know if that will change the first time she takes her own wide-eyed child to see the fluffy peeps and bunnies at Eastertime. I’ll probably never tell her, “I told you so,” if she gives in, but I will abundantly compliment her fresh scrambled eggs and selfless parenting skills.

Stacie Duce is a freelance writer for the Ravalli Republic.

Page 14 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

Local ranch family honored by Bitterroot Stockgrowers

By JANELL HOLM for the Ravalli Republic

This winter, the Bitterroot Stockgrowers honored a ranch family that has made a difference in the agricultural industry in the valley: Earl and Ida Reynolds.

If you missed January’s awards presentation, you missed out on a lot of history in the Bitterroot Valley. Earl was one of the founders of the stockgrowers’ organization.

Earl and Ida were both born and raised in Tooele County, Utah. They were raised around cattle, horses, chickens and pigs. Earl and his father milked 17 head of cows twice each day and his sisters sold the milk and cream to the residents in the small town of Stockton, Utah.

Ida was raised with brothers and a father who were horse trainers. After they were married in 1945, she and Earl ranched a small place in Soldier Canyon above Stockton. They have four children, Cristi, Layna, Butch and Janell.

In the early 1960s , after several dry years, frustrated with the ranching conditions in Utah, Earl and Ida headed north in search of a place where the wind never blew and there was an abundance of water.

They bought a ranch on Hamilton Heights Road and they become Bitterroot Valley residents.

Earl’s first shipping experience with the railroad came after the move to Montana. He shipped the machinery and cattle in two cars by rail to Corvallis. Montana.

Problem was, the cows ended up in Corvallis, Ore. Eventually, though, the cattle and machinery finally arrived at the railroad station in Hamilton.

In 1964, Earl requested from the Countess

Bessenyey an irrigation easement to go through the Stock Farm. He was able to put in the first gravity flow water system from the Big Ditch to sprinkle irrigate his ranch, reducing the use of costly electric pumps.

In the mid-1960s, a group of ranchers purchased a ranch by Chaffin Butte, better known as the “C” from Lloyd Hunter, through a program that helped smaller ranchers expand their operations. Earl Reynolds, Del Carter, Arnold Raudsep, Don Dobberstein, Eugene Tingle, Eldon Bingham, Harold Bryson, and Bill Ferguson formed the Hunter Grazing Association and used the property for fall and winter grazing for their cattle.

These ranchers successfully reseeded much of the crop land to grass and a number of springs were developed. Working together, the ranchers made the Hunter Grazing Association successful and they used it for fall and winter range for their cattle.

Also, in that decade, ranchers reorganized and formed the Bitterroot Stockgrowers, hoping to get better prices for their cattle. Earl Reynolds, Del Carter, Dean Hyatt, and Beryl Cooper were instrumental in getting “Grub Free Cattle” headed to Omaha. Other active ranchers were Burns Finlayson, Marvin Bell, Les Groenveld, Cliff Trollop, Lonnie Goss, Clem Larson, Don Dobberstien and others.

These and other ranchers began to explore the possibility of shipping feeder cattle direct to a Midwest market because they were unsatisfied with shrinkage and selling conditions locally.

The processors were experiencing financial loss, due to holes in the hides and tissue dam-

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 15

age. The plan to ship train loads of cattle to Omaha was a plan to improve income.

Montana cattle created excitement in Omaha.

But it never would have happened without Jim Rossi, who was the CEO of Livestock Conservation, and Don Rinner, who was a board member of the National Beef Improvement Association and the Bitterroot Stockgrowers Association.

The Omaha Stockyards advertised these special auctions widely and provided a dinner for the ranchers accompanying the cattle from Hamilton to Omaha. There were at least three years when approximately 20 ranches shipped together from the valley.

Thirty to 35 railcar loads of cattle shipped from Hamilton alone. During the most active shipping years , two trains loads of yearlings and two train loads of calves went to Omaha for special “Grub Free” advertised sales.

Dow Chemical Co. was instrumental in the train shipments because they provided the “new idea” of a pour-on treatment before shipping to control cattle grubs. This was the first attempt to sell preconditioned cattle.

Dr. Jack Ward vaccinated each feeder with a long-acting penicillin and Vitamin A before shipping. The association advertized with a banner on the train cars. Montana State University entomology researcher Dr. Scharff actually applied the pour-on to the cattle since it was new experimental technology. The John Deere Company filmed the story of shipping cattle to Omaha from the Bitterroot Valley.

Earl Reynolds and Del Carter volunteered a lot of time to educate other ranchers on the benefits of preconditioned cattle. They went to every ranch and helped treat the herd, while many of the wives also traveled to help feed the cowboys who were working the cattle.

Earl also became a livestock buyer and traveled across the state purchasing cattle.

He was a frequent buyer at the auctions in Hamilton, Missoula, Kallispell and Butte. Truck

loads of yearling calves came in and left the Triangle Ranch on Hamilton Heights at least once a week during the fall months. The cattle were weighed, sorted, and processed to be shipped to feedlots in the Midwest. During this time, Earl also shipped cattle to Japan and Taiwan via DC9 planes.

Earl Reynolds, Quentin Brown and Morris Gardner purchased the Hamilton Livestock Auction Sale Yard in 1968 and made many improvements to the facility . Earl also served on numerous boards over the years, including the Farm Bureau, Bitterroot Stockgrowers, G&T Electric, and the Ravalli County Electric Coop.

He was always helping someone, whether it was a rancher with haying, working cattle or 4H members with their animals. He often provided calves for local 4H members who could not purchase a project calf upfront. A deal was made to pay for the calf after the livestock sale at a predetermined price, and it didn’t matter if it was Grand Champion or just sold for slaughter, a deal was a deal.

The children often give their dad a really hard time because he could take you out in the field – look at a cow, tell you its mother and most likely its sire. He would then proceed to tell you how many calves it had produced, and surely a story behind that cow and many others.

Now when it comes to his kids, ask him one of their birthdays and he doesn’t have a clue.

Another thing they say about their dad is that he took better care of the cow dog than his kids.

If the dog came home injured or got hurt in anyway, he immediately went to the vet. Some of the kids have been run over by the harrow or a tractor and no doctor visits for them. Thank goodness their mother was a nurse!

In the 1980s, Reynolds switched from Herefords to Red Angus cattle because of their growth performance, marketability, docile manner and ease of calving. Over the years, Triangle Ranches has sold many bulls and bred heifers throughout Montana, Idaho and Utah.

They had several production bull sales at the

Page 16 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

ranch, which involved the entire family.

A few years ago, Earl and Ida moved to Ekalaka, where they work with their son, Butch.

Every year, the family travels there to help with branding and other activities. In 2012, Triangle Ranches calves topped the market in Miles City where over 6,000 head of calves were sold.

While Earl was traveling and very busy with promoting the cattle industry, Ida was behind the scenes making sure the ranch work was getting done, while still working full time at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital for over 30 years.

She always took the time to make sure that there was a hot meal and fresh rolls for anyone helping to work the cattle. Earl and Ida have taught their children to have integrity in their dealings, and take responsibility for their actions and how to work hard. They always supported their children in all of their endeavors.

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Reynolds family does together. You never miss an opportunity to support a rodeo, especially when Butch, Joe or Josh are riding. At the rodeos during the Ravalli County Fair, or anywhere else, everyone knew when Ida was there from the distinct family “yahoo” echoing from the stands.

It has been a wonderful journey, one that some people only dream about. The Reynolds family has a ranching and rodeo legacy that they are very proud to have been a part of. This legacy and that journey continues.

The Reynolds family will be donating a copy of the “Scrapbook” that was put together showing the Reynolds’ involvement with the cattle industry to the Hamilton Museum later this year.

It will also include the John Deere movie that was put together advertising the “Grub Free” preconditioned cattle sent to Omaha.

quality meats that

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Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 17

Farm census shows trends in agriculture production

By STACIE DUCE for the Ravalli Republic

A new five-year farm census was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this year, touting upward trends in agricultural production, but also showed the alarming aging of those running farms and ranches.

The average value of Montana farm production increased by an impressive 59 percent since 2007, while nationally, it rose by 38.8 percent. But Montana Department of Agriculture Director Ron de Yong was quick to clarify, “While production and value is up, all producers in Montana are aware that input costs have increased significantly as well.”

Fuel and power costs have risen sharply in recent years causing a farm or ranch’s hearty income to be quickly depleted by monthly expenses.

“The market has been strong for agricultural producers over the last few years, with the high price of wheat and barley, and the continued expansion of the pulse seed industry,” de Young said. “Montana is really proud of our agricultural growth; a lot of the growth can be attributed to our high quality product, aggressive marketing, and the rapid expansion of dry peas and lentils on fallow ground. … Agriculture continues to be Montana’s number one industry.”

Nationally in 2012, the market values of crops, livestock, and total agricultural products were each record highs. Crop sales were $68.7 billion more in 2012 than 2007 showing an impressive 48 percent increase and livestock sales were up $28.6 billion, which was a 19 percent increase.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) takes a complete count of America’s farms and ranches

and the people who operate them every five years. One undeniable red flag is the average age of farmers and ranchers. Among the 2.1 million principal farm operators in the U.S. in 2012, one-third were working past retirement age, according to the survey. Another 61 percent were between the ages of 35 to 54 years and only six percent were less than 35 years old. A little less than half of those operators called farming their primary occupation and 52 percent claimed a different primary occupation in addition to their work on the farm or ranch.

Men continued to dominate the field and survey results showed only 14 percent of primary operators were women. Of those female farmers, 90 percent earned $50,000 or less annually.

In the survey, a farm was defined as any place from which $1,000 of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year.

The total number of farms in Montana shrunk slightly to 28,008, down 1,516 from 2007, while the number of small farms – one to 49 acres – grew by 504.

In 2012, the number of beginning farmers who were on their current operation less than 10 years was down 20 percent from 2007. Only 172,000 farmers across the country were on their current operation less than 5 years.

The census report was a preliminary analysis of the data with a full report to be released in May 2014. The full report will provide comprehensive data on many additional aspects of American agriculture at the national, state and county levels.

Page 18 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

Hamilton’s farmers market is held on Bedford Street in front of the Ravalli County Museum..

photo provided

Hamilton farmers market approaches 23rd season

by ROD DANIEL for the Ravalli Republic

As the Hamilton Farmers Market embarks on its 23rd season, the selection of locally produced food, crafts and music has never been better.

Located in front of the Ravalli County Museum on Bedford Street, the ever-popular Saturday market boasts the largest collection of local vendors in Ravalli County.

At its peak in the summer, the market features well over 100 vendor booths spread out on Bedford Street in front of the museum, on Third Street to the west of the museum, and on Second Street between the Bedford Building and the newly renovated American Legion Park.

This season marks the market’s return to Second Street, after being temporarily relocated to the block of Third Street north of Bedford last year,

according to Market Manager Laura Craig.

“We want to thank the residents on Third Street as well as the Hamilton City Council,” Craig said, “for accommodating us last year during the park renovation. We believe the beautiful new park will make our market even more enjoyable.”

The newly renovated park -- complete with new playground equipment, a colorful mural and a fountain for kids to run through – is much safer than the old park, and the fact that vehicles will not be on Second Street during the market makes the park even more safe for kids crossing the street.

“We had parents complain last year that it was dangerous crossing Second Street because of the traffic,” Craig said. “So we are very happy to be returning to our regular market layout on Second, with the street again closed to vehicles.”

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 19

The market opens on May 3 featuring a wide array of locally grown bedding plants, a smattering of spring vegetables and locally grown seed, great coffee and baked goods, and plenty of ready-to-eat hot food. Also represented will be scores of local artisans offering their unique wares created over the long snowy winter.

The first market will also play host to the annual May Fest celebration, including a children’s parade and ceremonial wrapping of the May pole. According to event organizer Dulcie Belanger, May Fest is a celebration of community that goes hand-in-hand with the goals of the market.

“It’s a time for us to come together and bless the growing season,” Belanger said. “A time to celebrate the farmers, the crops and the bounty of food they will provide to our community.”

The celebration, she said, focuses on children, “because children are really the seeds of our community.” In addition to the wrapping of the May pole, May Fest will also feature a variety of children’s activities, including a parade and craft making.

Craig said plans are also in the works to have the school band from Darby play at the first market and also to have the annual Emma’s House bicycle parade finish their ride at the market, joining the May Fest celebration.

“It’s shaping up to be one of the best opening day markets ever,” she said. “And, of course, we believe that will carry over to one of the best market season’s ever!”

Since its inception in 1992, the Hamilton Farmers Market has focused on promoting local agriculture and local commerce. From its humble beginning with eight vendor booths on Bedford Street directly in front of the museum, to more than 100 booths spanning a part of three city blocks, the market is an economic catalyst for the Bitterroot Valley.

From May to October, people come from all over the valley – and all over the country during tourist season – to enjoy music by local musi-

cians, shop for one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, eat local cuisine and stock up on local produce. And the money folks spend doesn’t just stay at the Saturday market; those dollars get re-spent all over the valley at local businesses and restaurants all week long.

And in keeping with a growing national trend of eating a more local diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, the number of local farmers represented at the market has increased substantially over the last several years, Craig said.

“Six or eight years ago, craft vendors significantly outnumbered produce vendors,” she said. “There was a definite need for more farmers in order to make it a true ‘farmers market.’ ” In the last few years, that’s changed, she said.

“Now, during the peak produce months of July and August, we regularly see 20 to 25 produce and berry vendors at the market. It’s been great because our customers have so much more to choose from.”

The plethora of local produce isn’t limited to the Saturday Farmers Market. Several vendors have produce stands at their farms where people can buy fresh produce all week long.

And with the severe draught currently plaguing farmers in California, where the majority of the nation’s produce is grown, the demand for local produce should be stronger than ever.

According to Craig, one of the many benefits of the Hamilton Farmers Market, or any farmers market for that matter, is the relationships people develop with local growers.

“We’re excited that our farmers market customers can connect personally with their farmers,” Craig said. “And through that connection, they may be able to buy produce throughout the week, and even throughout the year, not just at the market.”

The Hamilton Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from early May to mid-October. For more information about the market, call Laura Craig at 961-0004.

Page 20 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

Local Bitterroot Valley food producers Farmers Markets

Darby Farmers Market Darby City Hall, Main St. Park (106 S. Main Street) 406-821-3753 www.darbymt.net May-October, Tuesday, noon – 6pm Florence Farmers Market 5189 Hwy 93, Florence 406-777-3638 florencefarmersmarket@ yahoo.com June-September, Saturday, 9am-1:30pm Hamilton Farmers Market Cooperative South 3rd and Bedford, Hamilton 406-961-0004 managerhfm@ cybernet1.com May-Mid-October, Saturday, 9am – 12:30pm Vendors must reside in Ravalli County and products must be made or grown in Montana.

Stevensville Farmers Market 3rd & Main, Stevensville 406-381-0274 Saturdays 9am – 1pm

Local CSAs

Heirloom Apothecary 406-239-5272 heirloomapothecary@yahoo.com We offer Community Supported Herbalism (CSH) shares, based on the CSA model. Our CSH shares allow you to have direct access to high quality, herbal preparations produced by local herbalists from locally grown and wildcrafted plants. When you purchase a share, you receive 5 monthly deliveries of herbal products of your choice. (June - October).

Homestead Organics 175 Skalkaho Road, Hamilton 406-363-6627 www.homesteadorganicsfarm.com Certified organic mixed vegetables. Specializing in greens. Produce available mid-May – November. Sold direct through Community Supported Agriculture program, farm stand open Tuesday 2-7pm.

Hamilton Farmers’ Market. Farm tours by appointment and on farm commercial kitchen available for your event or we can cater it for you.

Producing since 1999.

Yourganic Farm - Know your Farmer, Know your Food 1550 Chaffin Lane, Corvallis 406-961-5452 www.yourganicfarm. com Grass-fed beef. Pastured pork raised with no antibiotics and noGMOs (genetically modified organisms). Call for direct sales. Also see Vegetable section.

Local Farm Stands

Homestead Organics 175 Skalkaho Road, Hamilton 406-363-6627 www.homesteadorganicsfarm.com Certified organic mixed vegetables. Specializing in greens. Produce available mid-May – November. Farm stand open Tuesday and Thursday 2-6pm.

McPherson Farms 457 Willoughby Road, Stevensville 406-777-1378/381-2773 mcphersonfarm@gmail.com Sweet corn, potatoes and squash as well as other seasonal vegetables. Visit farm stand on Willoughby.

Mill Crick Farm 153 Dutch Hill Road, Hamilton 406-961-8861 millcrickfarm@ gmail.com Misty Hollow Farms Corvallis 406-370-9797 Produce stand on Eastside Hwy, just north of Corvallis. Open June - Sept.; vegetables, fruits, melons. Organic but not certified. Also, grass-fed beef.

Moeller’s Farm 946 Eastside Highway, Corvallis 406-961-3389 Homegrown produce available in season (April – November). Specializing in super sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, and squash. Also see listing under Garden Nurseries & Supplies. Call for direct sales, nursery hours

BEVERAGES

Big Creek Coffee Roasters 301 West Main, Hamilton 406-375-7508 www.bigcreekcoffeeroasters.com Offering exemplary coffees, roasted fresh and delivered free within the Bitterroot Valley. Retail locations in Stevensville, Victor, Hamilton.

Internet orders taken.

Bitterroot Brewery 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton 406-363-7468 www.bitterrootbrewing.com Locally brewed beer and hand-crafted ales. Available year round at storefront. Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:30am – 8pm. Also found at IGA (Hamilton and Stevensville), Safeway, Albertson’s, Super One (Hamilton and Stevensville), and convenience stores in the Bitterroot Valley. Producing since 1998.

Blodgett Canyon Cellers Corvallis 406-360-5680 blodgettcanyoncellars.com Hidden Legend Winery 1345 Hwy 93 N. Suite #5, Victor 406-363-6323 www.hiddenlegendwinery.com Hidden Legend Winery makes world class wines from all local, all natural ingredients. We specialize in making meads with both pure honey and wild berry flavors. We use wild elderberries, chokecherries and huckleberries, all from Montana to produce award winning wines that straddle the line between mead and wine. Our wines are a new sensation for the traditional wine drinker perfectly blending the taste of honey and fruit. Available year round at grocery and wine stores state wide. Call for direct sales. Making mead since 2001.

Higher Ground Brewery 518 North First, Hamilton 406-375-5204 www.higherground.com Famous Beer, Famous Pizza, 11am-8pm, Tuesday-Saturday; 1-8pm Sunday Hunter Bay Coffee 11300 Hwy 93 South, Lolo 406-273-5490 www.hunterbay.com Montana’s premium gourmet coffee roaster. Master Roasters handcraft coffees using award-winning recipies & European small-batch techniques. Offering 12 premium coffee blends, quality single-origin coffees & Italian-style Espressos, all roasted fresh-to-order. Certified organic coffee handler, offering a wide selection of 100% organic coffees.

Montana Cider Words Sula 406-360-5078 www.montanaciderworks.com Mountain View Orchards and Distillery 1775 Mountain View Orchard Road, Corvallis 406-961-3434 mcintoshcider@gmail.com 20+ varieties of apples, mid-Aug to Jan. Fresh apple cider Sept - Oct. Direct sales during apple season Mon-Sun 9am-5pm. Also at Missoula and Apple Days in Hamilton and local grocery stores. Producing since 1907. Call or email for types of distillery products. Harvest Legacy dessert cider currently available.

Trapper Peak Winery Darby, MT 59829 406-821-1964 trapperpeakwinery.com Products include: Cabernet Sauvignon made with Flathead cherries; Petite Sirah and Merlot made with grapes grown on the north slope of Mt. St. Helena, Rodeo Red - Cabernet Sauvignon, Muleshoe Merlot, Roll in the Hay - Chardonnay, Sitting Bull - Petite Sirah. Call for availability. Producing since 2004.

Zaxan Coffee Roasters 140 Cherry Street, Hamilton 406-363-4006 zaxancoffee.com And Café, Monday-Friday, 8am-3pm

Candy

Big Sky Candy 319 West Main Street , Hamilton 406-363-0580 1-866-432-8282 www.bigskycandy.com Local, handmade chocolates, truffles, creams, toffees, cinnamonglazed almonds, and more.

Producing since 2001.

Burnt Fork Bend Chocolate Stevensville 406-370-8606 www.burntforkbend.com Handcrafted, high quality dark or milk chocolate bars available in 2oz or 2.5 oz. bars.

There are no additional additives or preservatives used to make my chocolate.

Purchase by emailing or phoning or from Bitterroot Star and Valley Drug in Stevensville.

Old West Candy Mainstreet, Darby 406-821-4076 www.oldwestgallery.com Producing homemade fudge and chocolate delicacies, souvenirs and gifts. Open 7 days a week 10am to 5pm Will ship anywhere. Call to order.

The Montana Chocolate Company (Formerly Charbonneaus Chocolate Co.) 755 Main Street, Stevensville 406-777-0808 www.mtchocolatecompany.com Fine hand-made, hand-dipped chocolates, truffles, creams, brittles, nuts, chews. High quality ingredients, no preservatives, waxes, mixes or fillers. Montana novelties. Producing since 2002.

Dairy

Lifeline Creamery and Farm Store 2427 Meridian Road, Victor 406-642-9717 www.lifelinefarm.com Certified organic, biodynamic dairy (cheese, butter & milk), beef, pork, sausage (see listing under Meat). Available year round. Sold at Rainbow’s End, Hamilton Marketplace, Super One (Hamilton and Stevensville), Clark Fork River Market, and Missoula Farmer’s Market.

Farm visitors by appointment only. Producing since 1978.

Fruit

Blue Moon Orchard Stevensville 406-777-3326 bluemoonorchard@gmail.com Apples, pie cherries, plums, pears, apricots, raspberries. Mid-June through Oct. Call for availability. Email us to be put on our availability list.

Cider’s Orchard 227 Surrey Lane, Florence 406-273-3134 Organic Macintosh & Spartan apples. 40 lb. boxes. Available lateSeptember - mid-October. Call for direct sales. Call early in September to place order. Delivery in the Bitterroot Valley from Hamilton north. Farm visitors by appointment. Producing since 1992.

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 21 Fenced-Out Mule Deer Vineyards 822 Promise Lane, Corvallis 406-961-3285/381-6480 putman. alan80@gmail.com Tree fruits, berries, and vegetables. Call for availability. Producing since 2005 Frost Top Orchard 634 Quast Lane, Corvallis 406-961-1509 Apples (Macintosh, Spartan, Honey Crisp, and others), onions, squash and other late season vegetables. Utilizing integrated pest management (IPM) growing methods. Apples available beginning in October. Available direct and at Hamilton Farmer’s Market. Unpasturized cider avaliable at Orchard only. Producing since 1998.

Healthy Harvest Fruits 579 Porter Hill Road, Stevensville 406-777-3783/546-4851 hhfruits@gmail.com Organic Apples (Macintosh and other varieties), pears, plums, sweet cherries, mixed vegetables (see listing under Vegetables & Herbs).

No pesticides. Available July – September at Stevensville Farmer’s Market. Call for direct sales. Producing since 1989 Home Acres Orchard 839 Groff Lane, Stevensville 406-777-2831 homeacresorchard@ gmail.com Apples & pears. Available August – December. Sold at the Good Food Store, Clark Fork market, and direct from the farm. Call for direct sales. Member Montana Sustainable Grower’s Union. Producing since 1990.

Mountain View Orchards and Distillery 1775 Mountain View Orchard Road, Corvallis 406-961-3434 mcintoshcider@gmail.com 20+ varieties of apples, mid-Aug to Jan. Fresh apple cider Sept - Oct. Integrated Pest Management growing methods. Direct sales during apple season Mon-Sun 9am-5pm. Also at Missoula Farmers Market and Apple Days in Hamilton and local grocery stores. Producing since 1907. Call or email for types of distillery products. Harvest Legacy dessert cider currently available.

Honey

Apiaries of Montana 403 Grantsdale Road, Hamilton 406-381-7179 honey@montana. com Raw honey, flavored honey, pollen, pollination, beeswax, manufacturing hives. Available year round. Also sell 8 and 10 frame beehives, frames, lids and bottoms. Call or stop by for direct sales. Producing since 1968. 2nd generation honey producers.

Bee Happy Honey Farm 743 Sheafman Creek, Hamilton 406-360-1393/360-5435 bugoff95@dishmail.net Raw natural honey, flavored honey. We are vendors at the Hamilton Farmers Market and at the Darby Farmers Market and several bazars.

Call for availablity in the winter. Keeping honey bees since 2002.

Morris Honey Co. 270 Golden Pond Dr ive, Hamilton 406-370-3677 marilyn@morrishoney.com Locally produced honey – selling 55 gallon barrels only.

Prairie Sunshine Honey 250 Silverbow Drive, Victor 406-642-3535 www.prairiesunshinehoney.com Available year round at Super One (Hamilton & Stevensville), Rainbow’s End, IGA (Hamilton & Stevensville), Darby People’s Market, Victor Merc. Producing since 1989. 3rd generation honey producers.

Meat

Bauman Ranch 477 Bailey Lane, Corvallis 406-961-4343 Beef, hay, and custom feeding. Year round. Call for direct sales. 15 years producing. 4th generation producers.

Bitterroot Heritage Farms Member, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) Stevensville 406-207-1745 Bitterroot_Buckeyes@cybernet1.com Meat Lambs for sale.

Page 22 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 Biodesign Farm 1541 South Burnt Fork Road, Stevenville 406-381-1554 wlpeterson5@yahoo.com Grass-fed, antibiotic-free butcher lambs. Will deliver to your choice of packing plant. Phone for availability.

Bugoni’s Sausages Missoula 406-546-6970 MTCucina@bresnan.net 7 varieties of handmade (using only natural ingredients) quality Italian style sausages, meatballs and a variety of other delectable gourmet items. Available at Clark Fork Market in Missoula and the Bitterroot Star in Stevensville.

Cherry Apple Farm 250 Chads Road, Hamilton 406-363-6139 gotpig@yahoo.com Naturally raised pork. Sold by the ¼, ½, or whole. Available year round. Call for direct sales.

Don & Joan Contraman 968 Coal Pit Road, Corvallis www.spinningfiber.net Homegrown lamb. Call for direct sales.

Duus Ranch 717 Duus Lane, Hamilton 406-363-4653 Different varieties of hay for sale, beef on the hoof. Call for availability.

Judy Edens 232 Hawker Lane, Corvallis 406-369-3280 Free range lamb, goats, pork, grass-fed beef, calves for sale, all humanely raised, no hormones, antibiotics, fed freshly ground local grain, eggs.

Jim Ellingson Old Darby Road 406-371-0295 jim@jimellingson.com Free range local lamb. Sunshine and grass, fresh air and pure water all combine to create Jim’s all natural, gently raised and humanely nurtured local lamb. Jim is fond of saying, “Give us green grass and we’ll make lamb out of it.”

Indian Prairie Longhorns Victor 406-369-0945 www.indianprairielonghorns.com Producing organically raised, grass-fed beef. Breeding stock and 4-H steers available. Contact for availability.

Marty Knox & Richard Bailly 956 Bass Lane, Corvallis 406-961-4729 Home raised, grass-fed beef; sold by 1/4, 1/2 or whole, and pork - 1/2 or whole. Available Oct - Jan., but will take orders earlier. Call for direct sales. Producing since 1988.

Lifeline Farm Store 2427 Meridian Road, Victor 406-642-9717 www.lifelinefarm.com Grass-fed beef, certified biodynamic and organic, beef, pork, and sausage. Grass-fed beef (Brown Swiss steers), grass finished all months except Nov-Mar when given a small portion of grains to augment hay. Call for direct sales.

Maki Farms 1065 Maki Lane, Corvallis 406-381-3908/381-0983 www.makifarms.com Horse hay, cattle. Call for direct sales. Producing since 1926. 4th generation ranchers.

Misty Hollow Farms 298 Wilcox Lane, Corvallis 406-370-9797 Grass-fed beef from “Lowline” Angus - whole, half, quarter orders available. also - produce stand on Eastside Hwy, just north of Corvallis. Open June - Sept., noon - 7 pm; vegetables, fruits, melons.

Organic but not certified.

Riverbottom Beef 807 Old Corvallis Road, Corvallis 406-961-3894 Producing natural beef, hay, feed corn and soybeans Call for availability. Producing since 1973.

Saddle Mountain Angus Ranch 7987 Hwy 93 South, Sula 406-821-3433 Producing registered grass-fed Black Angus beef and breeding stock. Call for availability. On-hoof beef delivered to processing plant in Hamilton.

Severson’s Flying E Ranch 760 South Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville 406-777-3576 www. facebook.com/seversonfarms Natural, grass-fed angus beef available by the pound at Bitterroot Star.

Check for availability. 1/4, 1/2 or whole contact the ranch.

Wild Rose Emu Ranch 284 Rose Lane, Hamilton 406-363-1710 wildroseemu.com Emu meat, eggs, leather & feathers. Also produce emu oil, skin care products (see listing under Health & Body Care) and emu animal care products. Call for direct sales. Ranch tours by appointment. Best time to tour is spring and summer during hatching season. Established in 1996.

Yourganic Farm - Know your Farmer, Know your Food 1550 Chaffin Lane, Corvallis 406-961-5452 yourganicfarm.com Grass-fed beef. Pastured pork raised with no antibiotics and noGMOs (genetically modified organisms). Call for direct sales. Also see Vegetable section.

Poultry

Bitterroot Heritage Farms Member, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) Stevensville 406-207-1745 Bitterroot_Buckeyes@cybernet1.com Providing quality, free-ranging heritage poultry stock & eggs. All stock are antibiotic-free and started on organic feed. Chicks and poults available Feb – May. Eggs available Jun –Dec. Homestead Organics 175 Skalkaho Road, Hamilton 406-363-6627 www.homesteadorganicsfarm.com Heirloom turkeys and chickens. Specializing in greens.

Vegetables and Herbs

Biodesign Farm 1541 South Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville 406-381-1554 wlpeterson5@yahoo.com Organic vegetables & fruit. Native bedding plants for restoration and waterwise gardens. Available at Missoula Farmer’s Market or wholesale orders only. Please phone for availability. (Also see listing under Meat for butcher lambs) Bitterroot Organics 345 Indian Prairie Loop, Victor 406-642-3653 Vegetables grown sustainably and without the use of petrochemicals. mid-May thru Nov. Sold at Hamilton and Missoula Farmer’s Markets.

Farm visitors by appointment only. Producing in Ravalli County since 1997.

Diamond Bar D Ranch 851 Middle Burnt Fork, Stevensville 406-544-3763 bevclagett@ yahoo.com Organic produce and jams. Available at Hamilton Farmer’s Market or call or email for availability. Member of Homegrown. Producing since 1980.

Deerhaven Farms & Garden City Nursery Hamilton 406-363-0773 schnee2@montana.com Homegrown mixed vegetables and herbs. Bedding plants (see listing under Garden Nurseries & Supplies). Available at the end of April – September. Call for direct sales. Also available at Hamilton Farmer’s Market and Clark Fork River Market. Producing since 1984.

Healthy Harvest Fruits 579 Porter Hill Road Stevensville 406-777-3783/546-4851 hhfruits@gmail.com Mixed vegetables, apples (Macintosh and other varieties), pears, plums, sweet cherries. Available July – September. No pesticides.

Also see listing under Fruit. Available at Stevensville Farmer’s Market or call for direct sales. Producing since 1989.

Heirloom Apothecary 406-239-5272 heirloomapothecary@yahoo.com We offer Community Supported Herbalism (CSH) shares, based on the CSA model. Our CSH shares allow you to have direct access to

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 23 high quality, herbal preparations produced by local herbalists from locally grown and wildcrafted plants. When you purchase a share, you receive 5 monthly deliveries of herbal products of your choice. (June - October).

Homestead Organics 175 Skalkaho Road, Hamilton 406-363-6627 www.homesteadorganicsfarm.com Certified organic mixed vegetables. Specializing in greens. Produce available mid-May – November. Sold direct through Community Supported Agriculture program, farm stand open Tuesday 2-7pm.

Hamilton Farmers’ Market. Farm tours by appointment and on farm commercial kitchen available for your event or we can cater it for you.

Producing since 1999.

Jill’s Garden 329 McVey Road, Victor 406-642-3601 rivercare@blackfoot.net Organic garden vegetables and strawberries, not certified, sold to email list by weekly order, also locally adapted heirloom seeds.

Kangaroo House Garden 131 Deer haven Drive, Hamilton 406-375-0331 wombat@cybernet1.com or Facebook Small producers of pesticide-free fruits and mixed vegetables, dahlias. Available at Farmers Market, visitors welcome by appointment.

Lifeline Farm Produce 2363 Chief Victor Camp Road , Victor 406-642-3943 Garden vegetables, bedding plants, and organic lamb and beef (see listing under Meat). Available June – October. Call for direct sales.

Also available at Super One (Stevensville) and Missoula Farmer’s Market. Farm visitors welcome but please call first. Members of Homegrown. Over 35 years producing.

Longview Farm 2961 Hunters Lane, Stevensville 406-777-3371/396-0618 www. lvfarm.com Wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Hay and registered Hampshires for breeding, markets, 4H.Call or visit website. We also sell an all natural “horse cookie” treat made fresh at Longview Farm. Available online at www.bbhorsetreats.com or at local farm stores.

McPherson Farm 457 Willoughby Road, Stevensville 406-777-1378/381-2773 mcphersonfarm@gmail.com Facebook - McPherson Produce Large producer of sweet corn, potatoes and squash as well as other seasonal vegetables. Visit farm stand on Willoughby or find at Hamilton Farmers’ Markets. We also have hay and pork for sale.

Mill Crick Farm 153 Dutch Hill Road, Hamilton 406-961-8861 millcrickfarm@ gmail.com Misty Hollow Farms Corvallis 406-370-9797 Produce stand on Eastside Hwy, just N. of Corvallis. Open June Sept.; vegetables, fruits, melons. Organic but not certified. also, Grass-fed beef from “Lowline” Angus - whole, half, quarter orders available.

Moeller’s Nursery 946 Eastside Hwy, Corvallis 406-961-3389 Homegrown produce available in season (April – November). Specializing in super sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, and squash. Also see listing under Garden Nurseries & Supplies. Call for direct sales, nursery hours Montana Gourmet Garlic 2711 Snyder Road, Stevensville 406-777-1566 mgg@montana. com www.montanagourmetgarlic.com Gourmet hardneck garlic. Call, email or visit website for availability.

Producing since 2002.

Rod’s Organic Produce 1464 Summerdale Road, Corvallis 406-961-4055 rodnjamie@q.com Full variety of fresh, organic vegetables and eggs. Also heirloom carrot seeds and redworms for composting. Available June – November.

Sold at Hamilton Farmer’s Market and direct from farm by appointment only. Visitors welcome by appointment only. Producing since 1992.

Peace Gardens Hamilton 406-363-8068 Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers. Sells at Hamilton Farmers Market.

Producing since 2005.

West Naturals Farm Pinesdale 406-961-4286 Spring flower baskets, mixed vegetables, specialty tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, melons, green peppers, hot peppers, and cut flowers.

Available May through October at Hamilton, Stevensville, Missoula, Polson, and Butte Farmer’s Markets. 15 years producing.

Woodside Farm Winter Garden 876 Hwy 93 406-360-0770/360-0056 thewinterfarm@gmail.com Find us on Facebook Organically grown greens from our innovative (Solviva) greenhouse offered in winter. Contact us to be placed on email list, order from email list of available produce that we send out, pickup Friday from noon - 5pm. We also sell eggs.

Woolly Locust Farm & Garden 673 Ridge Road, Stevensville 406-546-8554 wlfarmandgarden@ cybernet1.com Organically grown lettuce, mizuna, broccoli, peas, Swiss chard, radicchio, green beans, pickling cucumbers, yard long green beans, eggplant, beets, hot peppers (large variety) amaranth (for canaries, finches, flower arrangements etc.) squash ( zucchini, yellow summer, acorn, patty pan, lakota, spaghetti etc.) tomatoes (various types and colors) painted mountain corn, sweet corn, teddy bear sunflowers.

Homemade soaps, mustards, hot pepper jelly, green tomato relish.

We are at the Stevi and Missoula Farmers Market. Will sell from farm x1/week. Visits by appointment. only. Offering a limited number of CSAs. Yourganic Farm - Know your Farmer, Know your Food 1550 Chaffin Lane, Hamilton 406-961-5452 yourganicfarm.wordpress.com Mixed vegetables, available May – October. CSA: fresh, in-season vegetables available once/week; drop off spot in Missoula. Call for direct sales. Farm visitors by appointment only. 15 years producing.

Also grass-fed beef, pasture pork and lamb for direct sale - see Meat section.

Meat Processing State Inspected Processing Plants: Hamilton Packing Company 692 Hwy 93 North, Hamilton 406-961-3861 Processing locally raised beef, pork and lamb. Also sell retail cuts of meat.

Lolo Locker 6220 Caras Lane, Lolo 406-273-3876 www.lololocker.com Locally raised beef and pork and all-natural sausage.

Custom Exempt (also inspected) Processing Plants (no resale): Bitterroot Custom Processing 406-381-2551 Russ has a mobile slaughter unit and will go to your farm, doing humane killing, will skin, gut, and butcher your animal. $85 for kill, 45cents/lb cut & wrap, will dispose of the hide & offal.

Lost Horse Custom Cutting 213 Lost Horse Road, Hamilton 406-363-3876/363-3859 North American Foods of Montana 333 Marcus Street, Hamilton 406-363-1505 Richie’s Domestic & Wild Game Processing Company 344 Sharrot Hill Loop, Stevensville 406-777-0051

Page 24 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

photo provided / NRCS

This healthy timber stand located in the Sapphire Mountains is the result of active forest management with focus on the long term. A diversity of tree species and age classes is far less vulnerable to forest pests and disease.

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers forestry outreach

By Matt Whithed

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a federal agency that aids farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners with technical and financial assistance to address natural resource concerns.

Participation is entirely voluntary and NRCS will work with all landowners or lessees with

management control of a property to promote sustainable and productive natural resource management.

To date, nearly 2,000 acres of privately owned Bitterroot Valley forestlands has been improved to more resilient and productive timber stands with the help of NRCS and its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 25

Located at the Hamilton USDA Service Center, NRCS conservation planners work one on one with private land managers to develop plans that meet both their unique objectives and address any resource concerns on the property.

For eligible participants, financial assistance is available for forest stand improvement practices such as pre-commercial thinning to reduce dense stands of young and competing trees, sanitation cutting to reduce the presence of insects and disease harmful to trees, fuels reduction to mitigate wildfire hazards, tree planting, and weed control.

If you own or manage forest lands, you are urged to consider the benefits of a healthy and resilient forest go beyond property boundaries, securing water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and our local economy for generations to come.

NRCS accepts applications for EQIP on

Montana State University Western n Agricultural Resear Research Center

throughout the year however June 1, 2014, is the cut-off date to submit an application for funding consideration in the 2015 calendar year. For additional information about Montana NRCS and its programs please visit the Montana NRCS website www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov or call the Hamilton NRCS field office at (406)363-5010.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Matt Whithed is a district conservationist for the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Hamilton. He can be reached at 363-5010, ext.

109, or by email at matthew.whithed@mt.usda. gov .

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Page 26 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

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 and photos by WENDY BEYE

I have always wondered about the three sets of identical barns strung along on small ranches west of the highway just a few miles south of Hamilton, and finally decided to sat-

isfy my curiosity with a little research.

A visit to the local farm and ranch supply business produced a name associated with the barns. “Oh, sure,� the clerk said

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 27

Garrett Griffin at the 2013 Ravalli County Fair.

with a big smile, “Those barns were built by Cowshit Lil!” My raised eyebrows must have demanded an explanation of the name. “She used to come to town with cow manure all over her boots,” the clerk added.

I soon had the names of the present occupants of one of the properties, Jack and Della Ward. My husband and I had used Doc Ward as a veterinarian for many years, so I called to

see if I could drop by to visit with him.

I pull into the yard, and climb out of the truck into a chilly wind filled with sharp crystals of snow. A knock on the door to the old trailer parked next to one of the barns produces a barked response. Jack hollers, “She don’t bite, just makes noise. Come on in!” The room is filled with a haze of cigarette smoke, so I try not to inhale too deeply.

Page 28 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

Garrett Griffin at the 2013 Ravalli County Fair.

He nods as I explained my mission. “Yes, I knew Lil well, and she built the barns on this place, on the one north of here, and another south of here. This was the last pair she built, and she and Charlie lived here until she died.”

He spends a few minutes filling me in on the order of construction.

The first set of barns was built in the mid1950s on what is now known as the River Ranch. The house that accompanies those barns is a farmhouse design. The next set was built further south, and is now owned by

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the Root family. The house there is very reminiscent of a Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie house design. The third set is the place where Jack and Della live, and the house is an almost identical copy of the FLW design to the south. All the barns are oriented with a north/ south long axis. One of each pair serves as a garage, with overhead doors along one side, while the other was built for livestock use.

Jack enjoys the conversation, and we visit for awhile about his veterinary career. He says that a horse worked him over pretty good a medicine • surgery dentistry • geriatric preventative • nutritional counseling • ranch calls

We are committed to compassionate, high-quality health care.

dr. linda s. Kauffman 3682 eastside hwy, stevensville across from stevi Feed & Farm

777-3844

cats • dogs • horses • llamas • alpacas • goats • sheep • pigs

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 29

Garrett Griffin at the 2013 Ravalli County Fair.

few years back, and he’s not too active any more. “I think folks are afraid to call me because they think I might drop dead in their field,” he opines as he lights up yet another cigarette. Jack is 83, and says he’s not likely to quit smoking at this point in his life.

I ask if I can take some photographs of the barn, and he gives his permission, saying, “There’s a calf in the north barn – I haven’t cleaned him up yet.”

I poke around the barns. The barns’ frames are hidden by interior sheeting, but the stalls in the livestock barn are beautifully crafted, Sure enough, there’s an Angus calf in one of them, staying warm and dry.

I go back to ask Jack if he knows who did

the construction work. He says, “Call Lowell Olin. He was the contractor on this place.” I thank him for his time, and head south to the Root Ranch.

I take a chance, park in the driveway, and, seeing fresh boot tracks on the sidewalk, knock on the door to the lovely, window-rich Prairie style home. A pleasant man comes to the door, introduces himself as Randy Root, and graciously gives me permission to photograph the exteriors of his barns and home. I ask if he knows whether the house is a Frank Lloyd Wright design, and he answers without hesitation, “Yes, it is.” I’m so excited, I forget to ask how he knows that. It’s growing snowier and colder by the minute, so I quickly

Page 30 - Agriculture Magazine, March 2014

take half a dozen photographs and head back north to the River Ranch.

There I am greeted by three friendly dogs who are helping with horse feeding chores.

The man who is doling out the hay says I can photograph the barns. I think, well, today’s photos will be white-on-white, but on the other hand, there will be no background distractions.

After making a few phone calls to track down Lowell Olin, I finally connect a few days later. Along the way, I hear more Lil Johnson stories. Lil once attended a livestock sale day in the Bitterroot, and bought some weanling calves.

She had driven to the sale in her nice, new Cadillac sedan, so she just loaded up the calves in the back seat and drove them home. In 1989, she saw a beautiful black and In the afterwhite longhorn noon, I head to cow in a photothe courthouse graph of the Great to check ownerCentennial Cattle ship records, Drive (Roundup and find that to Billings.) The Lillian and brand showed in Charlie sold the the photograph, River Ranch to so she asked Jack Clem and Edyth Ward to look it up, Larson, who find the owner, moved to the and buy the cow Garrett Griffin at the 2013 Ravalli County Fair.

Bitterroot Valley for her. Jack from a ranch near tracked it down to Sand Springs in eastern Montana in 1960.

Lowell Olin, and soon the cow and her new Digital information on Charlie and Lil is calf were ensconced in the corral by the barn. scarce, but I find out that Charlie Johnson When Lil became incapacitated a few years was born in Woodside, and began his worklater, she could look out the window and see ing career as district manager for the Corvallis the cow. Then disaster hit – the cow drank cheese factory. Later he sold real estate and some diesel fuel and died. Jack called Lowell insurance, in addition to ranching on the side. to ask if he had another black and white longHe married Lillian Foss, and they began build- horn. Lowell did, he sold it to Jack, and Jack ing barns and houses. put it into the corral so Lil could see it. She

Agriculture Magazine, March 2014 - Page 31

didn’t notice that it was a new cow, and was comforted by the view until she died.

Lowell could not confirm whether the Root Ranch house was indeed a Frank Lloyd Wright design. When Lil and Charlie hired Lowell in 1973 to build the house the Wards now occupy, Lowell had his company draftsman draw up plans that duplicated the Root Ranch house, with a few improvements.

He said the three barn pairs were built by

Garrett Griffin at the 2013 Ravalli County Fair.

several different contractors, including the Hansen brothers, and that no plans for the buildings existed. The builders, whose foreman had to be a Norwegian by Lil’s orders, just measured and copied the barns from one place to the next.

Lil and Charlie Johnson seem to have lived at least the second half of their lives together by the credo, “If you have a plan you like, stick with it!”

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