Association hosts organic farm and ranch tour

From Montana Organic Association

MISSOULA — The summers of 2017 and 2018 have been rough growing seasons for Montana’s farmers and ranchers.

Extreme drought, extended heat, and wildfires brought very challenging conditions to Montana, including the Johnson’s Ranch in Hinsdale. Matt and Sonja Johnson will share how they faced the drought and heat as it impacted both their organic and conventional crops, their soil health, weeds and finances.

The Johnson’s grow naked oats, plow-down/grazing/production field peas, barley inter-seeded with yellow sweet clover, and wheat. Johnsons also raise conventional cattle. They will share what they have learned on their farm from grazing cover crops, plow-downs, rotating crops, organic fertilizers and much more.

The farm tour is Thursday, July 18, with on-site registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. The tour starts at 10 a.m., a lunch at mid-day, and the wrap up will include an ice cream and dessert social.

Activities during the day include a cooking class by chef Dyan Carlson; a kids’ “bread in a bag” workshop and scavenger hunt; tours of spring wheat, naked oats, peas and barley; inter-seeding techniques; organic vs. conventional considerations; an Organic Advisory and Education Council presentation featuring Montana State University’s David Sands, Ph.D., and a field trial of Canada thistle bio-control; and several guest speakers.

The event is free and open to the public, but donations to offset the cost of the event are appreciated. Pre-tour registration is appreciated. People can register online at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/edit?eid=59730708156#/.

People can visit http://www.montanaorganicassociation.org for information about the Montana Organic Association.

The Johnson Ranch is located at 2458 Hinsdale Road North — Hwy 537 — 24.5 miles north of Hinsdale on Hwy 537. Tour signs will be posted along the way. The Johnsons are offering tent and RV spaces — no hookups — on their land for registered tour participants. People can call Sonja Johnson at 406-648-5407 for more information.

This MOA farm tour is sponsored by Northwest Farm Credit Services, Montana Milling, Kamut International, Montana Flour & Grain, The Oil Barn, Organic Advisory and Education Council, and Timeless Seeds.

Since 2002, The Montana Organic Association has been the voice of Montana’s organic community, advocating and promoting organic agriculture for the highest good of the people, the environment and the state’s economy. MOA is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that provides education, information, support, assistance, promotion, and representation for organic producers, processors, handlers, retailers, consumers, researchers, agricultural service providers and other interested parties.