SigMT

96 | SignatureMT Fort Benton is home to eight to 10 custom harvest crews of 10 to 15 people each summer, according to Tom Clark, Chouteau County Montana Farmers Union chapter president. "We have anywhere between 100 to 150 people, maybe more, who show up ," he said. "I know of at least six crews combining north of Fort Benton during the season, and I know there were some in the Geraldine and Big Sandy areas south of town as well." Usually, custom harvesters begin arriving in Fort Benton near the end of July for winter wheat harvest and stay for two to three months, harvesting winter and spring wheat, peas and other crops grown in Chouteau County, according to Sandy Bramlette of D & S RV Park in Fort Benton. "We count on them every year," she said. "They bring 15 to 18 RVs and huge bunk trailers hauled by semis, and stay for about three months. They help the local economy – the grocery stores and other businesses." This year, custom harvesters from Canada, Kansas, Oklahoma and Minnesota have called D & S RV their temporary home during the harvest season. "They bring their wives to cook for the crews and the kids come too," said Bramlette. The crews arrived about a month early this year. "The winter wheat was ready early because it has been so dry," said Bramlette. "The winter wheat harvest went well, but the spring wheat was touch and go." Not all crews bring their families along. The 16 young men working on the JH Harvesting crew owned and managed by Jesper Hansen of Scobey, Mont., leave their families at home and travel from south Texas through the Great Plains, then north to Canada and back south before the harvest season is over. "My crew is made up of mostly young, unmarried guys," said Hansen, who has custom harvested for 22 years. "They come from all over – we have some foreigners from Denmark and South Africa, as well as some guys from Minnesota, Kentucky and Montana. They applied for job-specific positions: operating a combine, a tractor and cart or a grain truck." While on the road, Hansen's crew stays mainly in campgrounds or on farms when campgrounds are unavailable. The crew starts its workday later in the morning when the dew has evaporated and works later into the night when the conditions are right. They generally eat breakfast at local restaurants and have dinner catered to the field by Hansen's sister-in-law who serves as the crew cook. "Sometimes, we pick up meals at local restaurants, whichever works best that day," said Hansen.. Over the years, custom harvest crews have grown larger but fewer in numbers, said Hansen. "The crews are bigger but there are fewer harvesters because the equipment is more advanced and bigger," he explained. "I don't see combines being run without operators even though it seems to be going that way." Front Street – The Pastime Bar, quiet during the daylight hours, is bustling with business when the sun sets on Front Street in Fort Benton. Owner Mark Johnsrud said he has noticed less traffic from custom harvesters this harvest season than in previous years. Mark Johnsrud, Pastime Bar owner, starts his workday at 4 p.m., to serve those wishing to stop in for a beverage and good company. Sandy Bramlette of D & S RV Park in Fort Benton looks forward to harvest season every year, when 10 to 15 trailers housing custom harvesters make camp in her RV park.

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