Organic Farm Tours, Big Sandy MT

Eureka, Montana – May 2, 2016 – One of the true joys of summer is the opportunity to visit Montana organic farm and ranch operations in full production.  “The Montana Organic Association farm tours allow participants to see how their local food is produced and learn how farms deal with day-to-day growing challenges, build diversity and soil health, and develop sustainable growing systems without the use of chemical fertilizers and pest control,” says Doug Crabtree, co-owner of Vilicus Farms and MOA’s Chairman of the Board. “The tours are also a great way to taste some amazing food and to meet local farmers.”

 

South Phillips County Organic Farm Tours

June 21, 2016, 10:00 am

Near Malta, Montana

The first tour of the season is the South Phillips County Organic Farm Tour, June 21, 2016, 15 miles south of Malta. The four farms that make up this tour are adjacent and representative of organic farming in Phillips County. Participating farms include Glenn Meisdalen’s Sweetgrass Cattle and Grains, John Meisdalen’s farm, Glen and Terri Sims’ farm, and Clifford and Anna Merriman’s 4M Farms. Their combined crops include spring and winter wheat, Kamut®, Emmer, Spelt, Einkorn, purple prairie barley, lentils, flax, millet, garbanzo and alfalfa hay. Some of the topics discussed will be cover crops for soil building, green manure, smother crops, companion crops, pulse crops, fall/winter grazing for cattle, tillage, composting, and weed control. Tour participants will meet at 4M Farms at 10:00 am to register and the tour will begin at 10:30 am. Lunch will be provided and a benefit dinner will take place after the tour. There will be horse-drawn hayrides after the tour and before dinner.  There is no charge for the tour. 

If you have any questions, contact Cliff Merriman at (406) 654-4391.  The tour will start at 4M Farm's red and white Quonset hut, 15 miles south of Malta on Content Road.  There will be signs along the way. 

 

Quinn Farm & Ranch and The Oil Barn Tours

July 9, 2016, 9:30 am

Big Sandy, Montana

The second MOA Farm Tour of the season will be at the Quinn Farm & Ranch and The Oil Barn on July 9, 2016, at 9:30 am. Quinn Farm & Ranch is 100{2fba0047518ad2e639da733ea78e24abf77cec06f485a26b152e17f2a77aa67a} Certified Organic and grows Kamut® khorasan wheat, winter wheat, peas, barley, safflower, clover, alfalfa, and experimental plots of dry land produce, including squash, potatoes, sweet corn, and mountain painted corn. There is also an experimental orchard with many varieties of apples, plums and berry bushes. The Oil Barn is an on-farm oilseed processing facility that specializes in organic high-oleic safflower oil for culinary and cosmetic purposes.  The Oil Barn recovers used cooking oil from its customers, processes it, and uses it to fuel farm equipment.  Tours during the event will include: the organic orchard, dry land vegetable plots, rotation and experimental plots, ancient and modern wheat plots, and The Oil Barn’s production facility and waste oil processing equipment. We’ll also facilitate discussions of marketing organic grain, principles of organic agriculture, and transitioning to organic production. There will also be bread and pizza making demonstrations.  Lunch and supper will be provided, as well as free Kracklin’ Kamut snacks. The tour will last until about 5:00 pm, but be sure to stick around because a talent show and barn dance follows.  There is no charge for the participating in the Quinn Farm Tour. 

If you have any questions, call (406) 378-3105.  The tour will be at the Quinn Farm & Ranch at 333 Kamut Lane, Big Sandy, MT 59520.  Directions from Big Sandy: Turn southeast on Hwy 236 (also called Judith Landing Rd.).  Head 12 miles down Hwy 236. At 12 miles make a hard right onto Kamut Ln. Take Kamut Ln about 1/3 mile and turn left up the paved driveway.  Directions from Winifred: Take Hwy 236 from Winifred 53 miles (about 50 miles is gravel and you will cross the PN Bridge). About 3 miles after the paved road begins you’ll see a group of mailboxes and you’ll take a gradual left onto Kamut Ln. Take Kamut Ln about 1/3 mile and turn left up the paved drive.

 

The MOA 2016 Farm Tours are made possible by the support of the Organic Advisory & Education Council.

The Montana Organic Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that advocates and promotes organic agriculture for the highest good of the people, the environment and the state's economy. You can find out more at www.montanaorganicassociation.org.

 

Contact: South Phillips County Organic Farm Tours – Cliff Merriman (406) 654-4391

Contact: Quinn Farm & Ranch and The Oil Barn Tours – Andrew Long (406) 378-3105