Big Sandy farmer honored

Robert Boettcher, a Big Sandy farmer for 33 years, has received a National Soil and Water Conservation Society honors award for promoting the wise use of Montana's natural resources.

To increase soil health and eliminate the use of chemicals, Boettcher has converted the family farm from a conventional wheat/fallow operation to a completely organic certification in 1992. He has seeded more than 15 diverse organic crops on his acreage, from alfalfa and winter wheat to sunflowers, cow-cockle, spelt, and buckwheat to fill niche markets and discover what will grow in the arid climate of north- cent...