Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

43 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org A G R I C U LT U R E DISCOVER THE STOCKMAN DIFFERENCE! • Local Decisions • Community Oriented • Only in Montana! Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender Great Falls: 771-2740 Second, Great Falls is a top hub for the agriculture production supply chain. Companies like Torgerson's, Montana Valley Irrigation, Mountain View Co-op, Sustainable Oils, North 40 Outfitters, and more are headquartered in Great Falls, contributing to the input side of farm and ranch production. Columbia Grain, General Mills, MaltEurop, Montana Specialty Mills, and IND Hemp are just a few of the mid-chain processors in our region. Organizations such as the Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Wheat & Barley Committee, and the Montana Farmers Union headquarter in Great Falls to focus on ensuring Montana farmers can compete economically while entertaining trade teams from all over the world. It's true that our wheat is so special that it makes for very specific food products, and most of that wheat ships to the Pacific Rim (about a half billion in sales alone every year). The remaining wheat becomes flour for amazing baked goods (Wheat Montana or Great Harvest Bread Co.), pasta, pizza crust and more. Pasta Montana buys durum wheat grown in northeast Montana, turning flour into semolina for "al dente" pasta which you can find locally at fine dining like the Enbar. Third, how does Montana agriculture contribute to healthy living? Wheat is the global leader in feeding the world. As long as that fact continues, it creates a job economy in Montana within the agriculture supply chain. Wheat is a superior source of fiber for your digestive system, full of complex carbohydrates (the good kind) and protein. One bushel of wheat produces 90 loaves of whole wheat bread. In 2022, Montana producers grew enough wheat that it would produce 12.5 billion loaves of whole wheat bread, or nearly double that in white bread. Wow! Cattle production leads Montana's agriculture revenues (note the chart: $4.6 billion from agriculture), there are three cows for every person in the state! Beef is one of the most excellent sources of nutrition, especially the lean cuts, where iron, B vitamins and the highest quality protein are found in heavy doses. The Montana Beef Council is a great source for go-to, easy recipes. If you don't feel like cooking, Montana's steakhouses are aplenty and famous. Head out to Beef N Bone and find a mouthwatering steak or their signature pork chop, or a drive to the Rocky Mountain Front will find you a good burger at just about any watering hole (small town bar or café). Cattle dot the pasturelands and in the spring, you'll find the cutest baby calves romping through green grass under mama's watchful eye. The kids will be thrilled! A Note about Great Falls Farmers' Market Great Falls is not without a wonderful farmers market every summer. While our seasons are short, you don't want to miss all the small farms selling fresh vegetables, eggs, fruit, and jerky from right here in the area. With bees so important to Montana's alfalfa hay crop to feed cattle and horses through long winters, you'll find pure honey here. In fact, Smoot Honey Co. (about 20 minutes out of town) makes the finest grade honey available, perfect for that whole wheat roll you're about to devour. You'll also find lamb of the most excellent flavor and great for roasting or grilling, and the finest Montana wool products from socks to blankets (example: Montana Wool Co.). Beginning the first Saturday in June, the Great Falls Farmers' Market is where you can find the wholesomeness of farm-to-table and ask vendors questions about agriculture production. You probably did not think how agriculture can improve your lifestyle, but the Great Falls region is second to none to do just that. While you make this area your home, our hope is that you will quickly make friends with anyone from agriculture life. They are the last of industry serving others before themselves, so that the greater good might eat a meal. So you might choose to stay at a guest ranch next summer, or drop in at a local café for bacon and eggs to "shoot the breeze." In the very least, we hope you'll learn all Montana agriculture brings to your table every day. Lori Wickett, Owner, EIGHT:18, LLC

• Cover