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Living Soil Farm: Nurturing Connections, Building Economics
Above: Cameron Skinner does paper work for his farm out of a garage on his mothers property outside of Big Timber, MT. When Cameron Skinner moved to Big Timber, Montana at the age of 10 he didn’t have close ties to farming or agriculture. The move out West from Connecticut brought him closer to…
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Farmers are an Aging Population, One Young Farmer has a Vision for Change
For years, Patrick Certain has imagined a gathering space for friends and family, where children in the community could come to learn where their food comes from, where all could join in a shared meal harvested from his garden. His farm would come to be called Stone Soup Garden, which began to take form…
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Bison Reintroduction | Nature’s Best Tool
In several locations in the West, bison reintroduction has begun to revitalize indigenous culture, increase food sovereignty, and heal the land. The Fort Peck reservation, in northern Montana, is one such place. The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes are leaders in buffalo restoration and have continued the expansion of their buffalo program since…
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Ranching Innovations during a Drought in Montana’s Golden Triangle
On a dry hillside in Conrad, Montana, a group of ranchers, farmers, environmentalists, geologists, students and teachers converge to walk Lisa Schmidt’s ranch and talk about soil health. They’re here to learn about some of Lisa’s practices and experiments for keeping up with the changing climate. This gathering is called a soil crawl. By…
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Irv Alderson: Country of Origin Labeling
Rancher Irv Alderson leaned against an old post near the tack barn at Bones Brothers Ranch near Birney, Montana. The Bones Brothers Ranch brand stamped proudly on the doors of the barn is over 130 years old. Irv readjusted his hat and looked out across the home pastures. “I grew up looking through this…
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Aquaponics and Access: Swanky Roots
Above: Image courtesy of @nathansatranphoto and Swanky Roots. Montana isn’t known for its’ year-round local produce. The harsh winters and short summers can greatly impact growing seasons and deter farmers from planting certain crops. That didn’t stop Billings locals Ronna Klamert and Veronnaka Evenson from pursuing their passion. In the last decade, a significant…
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Swift: From Microgreen Farming to Food Waste Recycling
Above: Reed Youngbar at Swift Microgreens Farm in Billings, Montana. In farming, even if you do everything right, things can go wrong. Access to a sustainable, thriving market is essential for any farmer to succeed. New and first-generation farmers are often forced into the dilemma of either purchasing somewhat affordable land far away from…
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John Brown: A Passion for Soil Health
John Brown views his life in cycles. He categorizes his life into different phases that have all been integral to form who he is today and how he came to be so devoted to soil health in this cycle of his life. Looking out across grassy, northern plains pastures in Shepherd, Montana, John explains…
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Landless Farmer: Patrick Certain’s Story
Above: Farmer Patrick Certain at his downtown Billings, Montana apartment. Patrick has been searching for farmland for the last two years. He’s determined to find his own place soon and start planting this summer. Patrick Certain is one of the thousands of new farmers looking for farmland. Patrick sat in his downtown Billings, Montana…
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Annika Charter Williams: Food Hub
Above: Annika Charter-Williams holds her son, Willie, and daughter, Stevie at their ranch in Shepherd, Montana. Annika Charter Williams helps her 4-year-old daughter Stevie pull on a pair of pink and brown cowboy boots. It’s early morning in late-August. Annika’s father, Steve, rides up to his daughter and granddaughter on a chestnut brown horse.…