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.

Montana citizens who are interested in ethanol and biodiesel, whether it is for consumers or for business, or for biofuel degrees and opportunities in Montana are invited to “All Things Considered – the Pros and Cons of Biofuels”. This is an opportunity to learn about the availability and use of biofuels and its co-products.

Topics that will be covered include Food VS. Fuel; the Environmental Impact of Biofuels; the Use of Biofuels in vehicles; the Availability of Biofuels and Biodiesel in Montana; Crop diversification – can it be done; Biofuel education and degrees in Montana and the Renewable Fuel Standards 2008 and beyond.

The workshops will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both locations. Workshops will feature speakers that present the pros and the cons of renewable fuels. A legislative and candidate’s forum will take place from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. at each location to provide Montana legislative candidates the opportunity to present their views of biofuels and the biofuel industry in Montana.

On-site registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. The cost per participant for the workshop is $5 for materials. Workshop attendees will receive a packet of resource and educational materials to take home from the event. Lunch will be provided courtesy of EPAC.

We look forward to seeing you there! Register today. Call 406-785-3722 or email pamd@ethanolmt.org.

Funding for the workshop is provided by a USDOL WIRED grant from the Montana Department of Commerce in conjunction with Montana Department of Labor.

PRAIRIE BENEFITS
The Prairie Benefits group is moving forward with updating their organizational information with the Montana Secretary of State’s office and has met with the Montana Community Foundation to discuss how to partner with them. Those interested in donating to Prairie Benefits will be able to designate how funds will be spent or give a general contribution that will be distributed through local community grants.

HOUSING
The County Commissioners have received a grant to look at the feasibilty of an assisted living facility in Terry.

POOL
The City Council is exploring options to improve the pool at Murn Park. They are also currently pursuing grants for the pool house.

VALUE ADDED AGRICULTURE
More educational opportunities for local agriculture producers are planned for next fall and winter.

WELCOME TO TERRY SIGN

The welcome to Terry sign has been completed. This project was a partnership between Horizons, the Prairie County Conservation District, the Prairie County Grazing District, the Prairie County Commissioners, the Terry City Council, and the Prairie Action League.

OTHER PROJECTS
Other potential community projects that were discussed included sprucing up and painting public buildings and updating the old Cenex sign.

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 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.

Strengths were education, helpful friendly people, hospital and medical care, businesses that invested in Terry, small town atmosphere, park, museums, clean appearance. Things people would change is adding more students and people to town, improve road maintenance, full time restaurant, jobs and locals more welcoming to new folks.

53% of respondents were willing or very willing to help with community projects.

Top 3 areas to improve the quality of life in Terry were livable wage jobs 63%; education system 48% and youth activities 43% and health care 34%.

From the 15 items listed on the survey that came up during Study Circles, the top issues were
1. Value added agriculture
2. Recruit professionals
3. Assisted living facility
4. Expand recreational opportunities

Great progress is being made on establishing a community foundation to benefit Prairie County. The directors of Friends for Cherry Creek Dam met in March to change their bylaws and name to Prairie Benefits. Officers and a board of directors were also elected. Prairie Benefits will work with the Montana Community Foundation to manage the funds. Prairie Benefits will provide an opportunity for ongoing funds for community projects.

The Prairie County Commissioners are working with Julie Jones of Singletree on an assisted living facility in Terry.

The value-added ag committee reported that they hosted a forum for ag producers on April 23rd that focused on the ethanol industry, raising natural beef, and backgrounding systems for calves. The need for continued education on ag diversification opporutunities such as camelina production was noted.

Another meeting is planned for June 4th at 5:30 p.m.