BOZEMAN, Mont., August 29, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies will hold town hall meetings at 18 locations across Montana to discuss opportunities for and barriers to maximizing access to USDA programs and services.
In early 2016, 13 Montana counties were designated as “StrikeForce” counties, a rural growth and opportunity initiative launched by USDA in 2010 in economically challenged areas to improve USDA services by building partnerships to help challenged communities shape a future based on local assets and regional strengths.
Montana leaders from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, and Food and Nutrition Service will listen to concerns from local citizens and community leaders at 18 town hall meetings:
Sept. 12, 2016
Ryegate Fire Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 13, 2016
Crow Agency Library, 3:00 p.m.
Sept. 14, 2016
Forsyth Library, 9:00 a.m.
Lame Deer Tribal Council Chambers, 3:00 p.m.
Sept. 15, 2016
Terry American Legion Hall, 9:00 a.m.
Hardin County Extension Office, 4:00 p.m.
Sept. 19, 2016
Culbertson County Building, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 20, 2016
Poplar Greet the Dawn Building, 9:00 a.m.
Sept. 27, 2016
Cut Bank Extension Office, 9:00 a.m.
Browning Tribal Chambers, 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 28, 2016
Pablo, Mission Valley Power, 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 29, 2016
Anaconda Local Development Corporation, 2:00 p.m.
Oct. 3, 2016
Rocky Boy’s Tribal Chambers, 8:30 a.m.
Big Sandy Senior Citizens Center, 1:00 p.m.
Oct. 4, 2016
Chinook Wallner Hall, 9:00 a.m.
Fort Belknap Red Whip Gym, 1:00 p.m.
Oct. 5, 2016
Havre, Northern Ag Research Center, 9:00 a.m.
Chester, Liberty County Senior Center, 2:00 p.m.
“Our goals and motivations are simple,” said Lisa Coverdale, NRCS state conservationist for Montana and chair of the USDA Food and Agriculture Council. “We want to gain a better understanding of the current needs and challenges faced in rural Montana, while also exploring how to improve access to USDA’s broad spectrum of program and technical assistance.”
For more information on StrikeForce in Montana, contact John George at jonathan.george@mt.usda.gov or 406-449-5000 ext. 101.