agriculture

Rural communities across Montana have long been affected by “brain drain,” where the younger generation moves away for college and a career and never moves back. But, that's not the whole story. MTPR's Ellis Juhlin spoke with some new and returning residents and found optimistic visions for what the future of rural Montana could look like.

The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation created a new program to match ranchers with local businesses interested in cooking and selling Montana beef.

Soil is often overlooked, but Montana farmers are joining in on a new challenge that aims to change that: burying cotton underwear to see how it decomposes. The “Soil Your Undies” campaign gives everyone a chance to see what’s happening underground.

After a wet spring, Montana wheat farmers are beginning their summer harvest in persistent heat and uncertainties over the international grain market.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) are planning to build a local meat processing plant to expand services for local hunters and ranchers.

A bill to help food banks purchase goods from local producers stalled in the Legislature last week amid final budget talks.

A proposed federal rule change would tighten requirements for packers to label their meat and poultry “Product of USA.” Some Montana ranchers are praising the move.

Montana lawmakers are showing their appetite for a bill aimed at helping food pantries buy goods from local farmers and ranchers. The program could provide a windfall for small producers in search of new markets.

A bill that would ban some foreign countries from buying, leasing or renting farmland and other critical infrastructure in Montana is advancing through the state Senate.

A finance committee in the Montana Legislature tabled a bill that would incentivize public schools to join together in a trust to help reduce the cost of employee health insurance. And the Montana Department of Agriculture says it's awarding close to $1.5 million to help supply locally produced food to food banks and community resource organizations.