Page 27 - Flathead Beacon // 2.18.15

FLATHEADBEACON.COM OPINION UNCOMMON GROUND Mike Jopek
Future of Food
FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | 27
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AQUARTER CENTURY AGO WE bought a piece of land in White- fish. Over the decades we turned the fields back into a working farm.
Last week, we seeded onions and as- paragus. In time, these seedlings will be transplanted into the ground. The asparagus will take years to mature but the scallions will hopefully be bunched- up for the start of the Whitefish Down- town Farmers Market.
I am a full time farmer. This was not always the case. In the early days we both worked off farm to pay the bills. But the love of land keeps us farming.
This season marks the 12th year when we, like other farmers from across the valley and beyond, will attend the downtown markets in Whitefish. Mar- kets are big draws that provide signifi- cant business vitality to downtown cores.
Columbia Falls and Kalispell also host great farmers markets. Direct to consumer farm sales are clearly on the rise in the Flathead. Many new farmers are helping meet more of the growing de- mand of local food.
What’s happening locally with food and farms is happening across the na- tion. Food is hot and local agriculture is still the buzzword for consumers, res- taurants and grocers. People like to eat, and fresh food just tastes better.
The Flathead has many local produc- ers. Most are small local farms but oth- ers are significantly larger. Local farm- ers raise meats like pork, beef, lamb and poultry and vegetables like leeks, beets and chard.
With climate mitigation tools like hoop houses and row covers, farmers are able to grow a much more diversi- fied variety of crops. Even near the 49th parallel, the growing season begins early spring and runs late into the fall.
The National Oceanic and Atmo- spheric Administration predicts an ear- ly spring for the western United States. To farmers, a warmer spring prediction may also indicate more chaotic weather and turbulent hailstorms.
The Montana Legislature has sched- uled hearings to define locally grown. A bill proposes local as grown in Montana and in an area where long distance phone charges do not apply for a landline.
The greater Flathead Valley local calling area extends from Polson to Ol- ney, from Finley Point to Marion. It en- compasses a land mass greater in size than some states.
Years ago, Sen. Jon Tester helped define the law on local farmers’ direct to consumer sales as those within 275 miles of where it was produced.
The Legislature is also holding hear- ings to re-allow the sale of raw honey at farmers markets directly to consumer without a license. Several dairy bills will be heard and milk politics are always contentions.
On the farm it’s again time to prune the pears, apples and raspberries. For us and many other local farmers the grow- ing season is underway.
Many new producers are growing food in the valley. Today’s consumers have a much greater choice on where and how their food is grown. Many home gardeners, who are serious about how their food is grown, are getting their hands into the dirt to grow their own.
Flathead Valley Community College offers classes where “students enrolled in this program can look forward to a blend of classroom and hands on learn- ing about food production and managing a successful farm enterprise.”
There is little doubt that the miles of produce trucks daily crossing the Mexi- can border will deliver many vegetables into hot markets like the Flathead. With 2 million tourists visiting the valley an- nually, it’s easy to see the demand at downtown restaurants.
On Feb. 25 the Lentil Underground book tour with author Liz Carlisle and farmer Dave Oien will be at FVCC at 6:45 p.m. There’s an optional dinner be- forehand. For tickets call 406-443-7272. Topics include climate, diversified farm- ing and the future of our food system.
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“MANY HOME GARDENERS, WHO ARE SERI- OUS ABOUT HOW THEIR FOOD IS GROWN, ARE GETTING THEIR HANDS INTO THE DIRT TO GROW THEIR OWN.”
Mike (Uncommon Ground) Jopek and Dave (Closing Range) Skinner often fall on op- posite sides of the fence when it comes to political and outdoor issues. Their columns alternate each week in the Flathead Beacon.
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