Value-added theme prevails during Calling on the Capitol

Press release

The concept of adding value to Montana agricultural products circulated through meetings during the Montana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Calling on the Capitol Jan. 24-25 in Helena.

During visits to the Departments of Livestock and Agriculture, as well as with a visit with Gov. Steve Bullock, the talk turned to keeping more agricultural products at home and available to Montanans.

"During our meeting with the governor, he addressed value-added agriculture as a smart way for young farmers and ranchers to stay profitable," MFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Chair Gil Gasper said. "We ship out so much of our raw materials, like peas, that could be processed into, say, pea flour right here in the state. There are a lot of opportunities to develop those ag resources and sell directly back to the consumer."

"Walt Anseth at the Department of Agriculture explained many ways they are working to get our products overseas, but he also talked about ways to add value to products to keep the money and products in our state," Shay Richter, a young farmer from Fort Benton, said,. "Whether we add value to our beef or to our crops, developing with new ways to produce end-products in state can help young farmers and ranchers."

"Many young farmers and ranchers want to stay in agriculture," Jenny Stovall, who ranches with her husband near Billings, added, "and what we heard in Helena was that adding value to our agricultural products can help our bottom line. There are many opportunities and the Department of Livestock and Department of Agriculture are very willing to help make ideas for value-added ag products a reality."

Calling on the Capitol focused on the importance of becoming involved in the legislative process and members of the group said they were impressed with how accessible legislators and all of the elected officials are. In a morning presentation, MFBF lobbyists Chelcie Cremer and Nicole Rolf stressed the importance of contacting elected officials. Members of the Collegiate Farm Bureaus at Montana State Univesity and Univesity of Montana-Western also said they were impressed with the process and the availability of Montana's elected officials.

"Calling on the Capitol made me interested in the whole political process. It showed that one person can make an impact," Todd Lackman, a student from Hysham attending Montana State University, said.

"The conversations about agriculture that we had with the governor and the different state agencies has helped me understand what we can do in the future as agricultural producers," Baylie Johnson, a UM-Western student, said. "It showed how important it is to contact your legislators, as they really do want to hear from you."