Exploring Agriculture in Montana's Yellowstone Country

In Montana's Yellowstone Country, many local farmers and ranchers incorporate educational programs, festivals and farm dinners into their ranch stays. It's a great way to connect people with our local food system, and the activities are a lot of fun!

In Bozeman, Gallatin Valley Botanical at Rocky Creek Farm is hosting Farm Camp for kids ages 4-6 and 1st-5th grade, with a special Junior Farmer and Leadership Program for middle schoolers. Each week has a different theme, but the structure is the same. Kids begin the day feeding the pigs, tending to the chickens and watering seedlings. Morning and afternoon workshops focus on varying topics, and children learn through hands-on activities, games and creative projects.

The Summer Farm Dinner Series by Mountain Provisions takes place on five farms around the valley throughout the summer, boasting a 5-course menu created by Chef Em Hahn. It's a great way to enjoy our local foods in a stunning setting and an opportunity to meet new friends and learn about the farms. Greycliff Mill in Big Timber also hosts farm dinners each month. It's worth a stop even if you don't make it to dinner — their operation is fascinating, and the cheese cave is not to be missed!

Women interested in learning horsemanship and roping skills while immersed in nature with other women, great food and plenty of time for riding and reflection may want to check out the Little Creek Cowgirl Camp at Wide Sky.



Finally, though more remotely related to agriculture, we want to mention an upcoming field seminar in Yellowstone National Park: Microbial Diversity of Yellowstone Hot Springs, June 7-8. Taught by Eric Boyd, a professor from Montana State University’s Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, in conjunction with Yellowstone Forever, the seminar focuses on microbes that call hot springs their home. New data shows that the first forms of life on Earth inhabited hot spring environments.

Boyd expressed his enthusiasm, "I hope I can relate to each participant a fraction of the awe that I have for the hardy microbes that call hot springs their home. We owe them (and their ancestors) a lot of credit, too. After all, we would not be here to talk about them had they not initiated life on Earth and transformed it over the past nearly 4 billion years into the habitable planet that sustains all higher forms of life, including us."

Here's to another productive growing season!