Terry, MT

The Prairie County Horizons Steering Committee has been working on a strategic poverty reduction plan. Following are the highlights from this plan:

TOPIC AREA OF FOCUS: Quality of Life and Community Pride

WHY IS THIS A FOCUS AREA?
In all the Study Circle Groups it was very clear that in a thriving community one of the most important things was to preserve the scenery and the history and all aesthetics that we have in Prairie County and build upon them.

HOW WILL THIS FOCUS AREA LEAD TO THE REDUCTION OF POVERTY?
Our community believes that is important for all community members to feel like they are a welcomed, integral part of the community. This atmosphere contributes to a higher quality of life that can help those in financial poverty be a part of creating their own opportunities and future.

WHAT WILL WE DO?
The community decided on two community beautification projects. One project would consist of a large area landscaped with native shrubs, trees and plants that included a large sign welcoming and promoting the Town of Terry, Prairie County and all it has to offer would also be put into place. Another project consisted of refurbishing the landscaping at the county’s only high school. High school students will take the initiative to plan for and implement this project.

WHO IS OUR TARGET AUDIENCE?
The target audience is all Prairie County residents and visitors to the community. The significance of this project is that all community members are included and valued and this message is communicated to visitors. This is an important element of building community pride and increasing quality of life for community residents. We believe that increasing quality of life is one of the ways we can reduce the effects of poverty.

WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
The completion of these projects would give the community a great sense of pride and validate the pride they feel in their community. This would enhance the quality of their lives and encourage it in others. It would also show that the community is environmental and economically aware by using the Urban Xeriscape landscaping methods of conservation.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS
We know we will be successful at reducing poverty when we see those in financial poverty feeling empowered enough to participate in community events and projects. We will also know we are successful when those affected by poverty can help identify other projects that can further help to reduce poverty in our community.

TOPIC AREA OF FOCUS: Value-Added Agriculture

WHY IS THIS A FOCUS AREA?
Agriculture is currently the number one industry in Prairie County. The community feels it is important to build on its strongest assets to have maximum impact. Agriculture is a risky business with fluctuating commodity prices and increasing input costs, leaving the financial future of many agriculture producers and the businesses that depend upon them in an uncertain financial state.

HOW WILL THIS FOCUS AREA LEAD TO THE REDUCTION OF POVERTY?
Our community believes that strengthening the agriculture industry through diversification will help stabilize income for agriculture producers and related businesses.

WHAT WILL WE DO?
Educational opportunities will be offered for area agricultural producers in areas such as backgrounding cattle, crop and livestock production as it relates to the ethanol and biodiesel industries, irrigated crop production, local food systems, specialty crops, and marketing.

WHO IS OUR TARGET AUDIENCE?
Farmers and ranchers are our target audience as well as business owners and industry representatives that have an interest in agriculture production in Prairie County. Targeting this audience will help reduce poverty by giving these producers options to help stabilize their income.

WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
Our community believes that education is the first step in helping agriculture producers diversify and add value to the commodities they produce. It is important to fully understand the implications of a change to their operation so decisions can be made in an educated manner and in a way that will help reduce risk.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS
Agriculture producers will implement practices that add value to the commodities they market. This will allow more families to remain on the farm.

TOPIC AREA OF FOCUS: Available Housing

WHY IS THIS A FOCUS AREA?
An adequate supply of available, suitable, affordable housing is a necessity to any community. Prairie County has the oldest median population in the state at 49.5 years old, which leads to an additional need for the community for assisted living facilities for seniors. There currently is a nursing home, but no assisted living facility in Terry. This means that many seniors reside in individual homes.

HOW WILL THIS FOCUS AREA LEAD TO THE REDUCTION OF POVERTY?
Our community believes that it is important to have available, suitable, affordable housing for all types of families at all income levels. Helping enhance the availability of housing will help those with limited financial resources find a suitable home in their price range.

WHAT WILL WE DO?
The Prairie County Commissioners have contracted with Single Tree to explore the feasibility of building an assisted living facility for seniors in Prairie County. This would provide a place for seniors to reside who do not want to care for a home, but are not ready for the nursing home. This in turn will make housing available to families that are currently being occupied by seniors.

WHO IS OUR TARGET AUDIENCE?
Senior citizens will be the target audience, with a secondary audience of families. Seniors often live on a fixed income, so having an affordable alternative to owning their own home will help reduce poverty among seniors. This would make it possible for more houses to be on the market and available to families at an affordable price.

WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
Our community believes that available, suitable, affordable housing is important to the community. Affordable housing makes it possible for seniors and families on limited income to have more disposable income to spend on other necessities.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS
Seniors will have an assisted living facility in Terry as a housing option. Suitable, affordable houses will be available on the market for families.

Prairie County is starting a community foundation to help sustain the community long after current citizens are gone. Cathy Cooney of the MT Community Foundation met with the new board May 29 to review the benefits and the responsibilities. With Prairie County being the oldest median population in the state at 49.5 years old, the transfer of wealth from one generation to another is coming faster than average to Prairie County. This is a way to give back to the community that helped raise your family and supported your business. It is a way to help the community prosper as the foundation will give back the interest and special incentive grants to local projects. Officers include Dale Hellman Chair, Ron Kiosse Secretary, Tim Rittal Treasurer and board members Larry Bond, Rolane Christofferson, Ann Marie Davis, Sandra Brown and Jim Ross. They are looking for an other agriculture based member. Donations may be made to Prairie Benefits at Box 82, Terry, MT

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!