Terry, MT

Agriculture is an industry with risks as well as opportunity. Irrigated and dryland farmers have to weigh input costs against potential income for any given crop in order to make planting decisions. Therefore, it is critical that producers have some different cropping options to consider when making their decisions.

Prairie County Extension will host an educational meeting, “Opportunities in Agriculture,” on October 20, 2008 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the American Legion in Terry to give area ag producers the chance to learn about two more feasible crop alternatives for our region. Producers will have the chance to visit with commodity contractors from the malt barley and oilseed industry at this meeting. This will be a great opportunity for farmers to learn about some crop diversification alternatives available in our region, both from the agronomic perspective of what it takes to raise the crop as well as the economic perspective of marketing the crop.

Guest speakers will be Jeremy Klempel of Busch Agriculture Resources, Inc. and Mike Bergman of Safflower Technologies International, LLC. Both companies are based out of the Sidney area. Klempel will discuss some of the basic agronomics of growing malting barley as well as how barley crops in this region can be contracted with Busch Ag. Bergman will talk about opportunities to raise and market safflower and other oilseed crops in Eastern Montana. Safflower Technology International works with oilseed producers on crop agronomics as well as marketing end products such as safflower oil and birdseed.

For more information about this meeting, contact the Prairie County Extension Office at 635-2121.

About 15 people met on April 23 to learn more about the ethanol industry, raising natural beef, and beef backgrounding systems. This educational session, sponsored by Horizons, was designed to help educate ag producers about oppotunities that are available to them.

Butch Krutzfeldt spoke about what it would take for an ethanol plant to locate in the Yellowstone valley. Adequate crop supply, a market for the ethanol, and a flexible, efficient plant would all be necessary for an ethanol plant to locate in our area. Fred Wacker spoke about his experience in the natural beef industry, outlining the protocols that must be followed as well as production considerations for livestock producers. Rachel Endecott spoke about backgrounding calves. She discussed different systems that would allow livestock producers to add weight in an effort to add value to their calves when they are marketed.

Initial committees were formed in February to begin planning a timeline for action within five areas:
(1) establishing a local community foundation to fund community projects for the long-term;
(2) promoting value-added agriculture projects such as natural beef and ethanol/biodiesel development;
(3) creating incentives for businesses to expand or locate in Prairie County;
(4) complete city pool and bath-house upgrades; and
(5) to have ample and affordable housing for all ages and income levels.

Committees were to meet individually in March to progress with action planning. All committees and other interested individuals are invited to meet on April 30th to discuss their progress and future plans. The meeting will take place at the USDA Service Center in Terry from 5:30-6:30 p.m. We hope you are able to attend!

A series of speakers have been invited to Terry to speak to ag producers to about opportunities in agriculture on Wednesday, April 23rd from 3:00-6:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Terry.

Agriculture, specifically livestock production, is the number one industry in Prairie County. This provides the opportunity to add value to the products already produced in Prairie County, increasing the economic benefit to producers which ultimately benefits the rest of the community.

Butch Krutzfeldt will be the first speaker at 3:00 p.m. He will talk about the potential for ethanol production in Eastern Montana and other opportunities that that industry may present for area producers. Fred Wacker will be the next presenter at 4:15 p.m., discussing what it takes to market cattle as natural beef and opportunities within that industry. The final speaker at 5:30 p.m. will be Rachel Endecott. She will discuss different cattle backgrounding systems that livestock producers may want to consider.

Area ag producers are invited to come and learn more about the cutting edge of ag industry in Montana. This program is being sponsored by Horizons and the Prairie County Extension Service. For more information, contact the Prairie County Extension Office at 635-2121.

Check out the link titled “Training Opportunities” on the right side of this page under the heading “Pages” for some great upcoming training opportunities!

We received some great input on creating a vision statement for Prairie County communities from the surveys returned and at the Visioning Event on December 13th.

To read the survey results, click on the following links:

Survey Results
Visioning Survey Results- Narrative

We are now in the process of getting input on the vision statement that was crafted at the Visioning Event. The vision statement reads:

“Prairie County communities are adaptable, self-sufficient and diversified, providing livable wage jobs and opportunities to live in a safe, clean environment. Young and old have access to ample affordable housing in family-friendly communities that offer year around recreation activities and events that attract people from near and far.”

Do you like this vision statement?
Is there anything that should be changed in this vision statement?
Do you have any questions about the vision statement?

In addition, several action items were identified to work toward achieving this vision. If you had $10,000 to spend on any of these projects, which one would you spend the money on?

1. Explore the feasibility of a restaurant that fill needs not already being met by current businesses.

2. Enhance valued added agriculture activities in the region. Backgrounding calves, ethanol/biodiesel development, marketing cooperatives, etc.

3. Provide opportunities for travelers and locals to enjoy the natural resources in Prairie County. Hiking, walking, mountain biking, motorcycle/ATV trails, floating the river, horseback riding, etc.

4. Increase the availability of affordable, suitable housing for all age classes and economic classes.

5. Enhance current annual events that bring in locals, residents from surrounding communities and travelers such as the 4th of July rodeo, Fair, Terry Yippee, Fallon Harvest Festival, Fun Fly, etc.

Leave your input and comments on this blog by clicking on the “comments” link on the lower right corner of this message. We want to hear from you!

One of the great things about a blog is that you can post comments to the site. At the end of each article, there is a link that says “Comments”. It will say “No Comments” if nothing has been posted yet, and “1 Comment” if one comment has been posted. Just click on this link, and it will take you to a page where you can read other people’s comments and post a comment of your own if you wish. Your comment may not appear immediately, so just check back again later. This feature provides a great way for you to give feedback on the ideas presented in the blog and to let us know what you are interested in.

The Horizons Community Action Forum that took place on February 26th generated some great ideas for community projects.

You have an open invitation to pursue any of the ideas that came up in the Study Circles process. Projects could include:

-Adding value to local agriculture commodities (Biofuel production, oilseed crop production, producing specialty meat products, backgrounding cattle, etc.)

-Establish an endowment foundation and/or “angel network” of investors to invest in local business ventures

-Develop recreation opportunities (could lead to opportunities for local entrepreneurs) such as motorcycle/ATV trails, hiking trails, river floating, birding, and photography

-Revive the drive-in theater as a for profit or non-profit

-Recruit professionals and entrepreneurs to Terry (especially young people)

-Put Prairie County opportunities on www.comehomemontana.org

-Locate a warehouse business or product assembly business in Prairie County (for example, Amazon.com has warehouses located throughout the country to ship from)

-Start a shuttle bus service (transportation for medical, dental, sporting events, etc)

-Build an assisted living facility for senior citizens

-Start a second hand store (could be operated as a for profit business or to benefit a community organization like the Attic in Glendive does)

-Explore the possibility of building a hotel/convention center/restaurant

-Create a dog exercise park (for travelers and locals)

-Start a Bed & Breakfast

-Plan recreational tournaments (youth and/or adult basketball, softball, corn toss, etc.)

-Create more signage for Terry (along interstate, old Cenex sign, etc.)

-Establish a credit union in Terry

-Create historic tourism opportunities for travelers (attract tourists to local historic sites)

-Address community housing needs

There are a number of other community organizations that are committed to supporting community projects like the Prairie County Conservation District, the Prairie County Economic Development Council, and the Prairie County Chamber of Commerce.