Organic Farm Tours, Malta MT

Organic Farm Tour

South Phillips County

June 21, 2016 10:00am

This tour will feature four organic farming operations that are

representative of organic agriculture in Phillips County.

Tour locations and speakers during the event will include: • Sweetgrass Cattle and Grain – Glenn Meisdalen is currently in transition to organic production. His crops include spring and winter wheat, Kamut®, Emmer, purple prairie barley, lentils, garbanzo and alfalfa hay. He also plans on using cover crops for soil building as well as fall/winter grazing for his cattle herd.

• John Meisdalen –The Meisdalen Farm has farmed organically since 2007. They are currently raising organic wheat, Emmer, Spelt, Einkorn, Kamut®, and garbanzo beans. They also plant cover crops on all of their acres, generally using sweet clover or peas.

• Glen and Terri Sims – The Sims have been organic producers since 2009. Their farm focuses on spring wheat production, but also incorporates companion crops, pulse crops and cover crops. Recent changes to their farming practices include a movement towards minimum tillage and a 1,000 cubic yard composting operation.

• 4M Farms – Clifford and Anna Merriman’s farm originally transitioned to organic in the late 1990s. They grow a variety of crops consisting of Kamut®, spring wheat, winter wheat, flax, millet, lentils, purple prairie barley and garbanzo beans. They use cover crops, companion crops, smother crops and green manure to improve yields, soil health and for weed control.

• Wes Gibbs, Integrity Ag Services, Ancient Grain Research• Jim Larson, Montana Ag Safety, Farm Safety Issues and Support

• Horse drawn hay rides

Tour is free, open to the public and lunch will be provided. RSVP is Required: Contact Andrew at (406) 378-2106

The Montana Organic Association is a non-profit organization advocating and promoting organic agriculture for the highest good of the people, the environment and the state’s economy.www.MontanaOrganicAssociation.org / www.Facebook.com/MontanaOrganic

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.