Ya Reckon
 | Author:
Denise Thompson, MT43 News AG Correspondent
Denise Thompson |
Denise Thompson
MT43 News AG Correspondent
National Ag Week is March 16-22, 2025, and the perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate farmers and ranchers and their dedication to food production! These agriculture producers are unparalleled in land conservation and stewardship, strengthening local economies, improving access to healthy, nutritious foods, and weaving communities together through an incredibly strong root system of heritage, longevity, commitment, and a deep appreciation for and connection to nature and one another.
Last week I spoke of ways you can support your local ag producers. There is an incredibly strong movement these days for buying local, supporting the farmers' markets, purchasing your meat from a local rancher, getting your eggs and milk from your neighbor, and sharing your experiences and passion for agriculture. It is so refreshing to see this trend, ya reckon?
Is there a downside for those local communities moving away from that strong agriculture base? Consider if you will, a weakened local market, reduced community resilience, urban sprawl and land use changes, environmental consequences, loss of food security, economic decline, and cultural erosion. Agriculture is often at the heart of rural identity, traditions, and community values. No matter one’s views of growth, prosperity, and the inevitable change, I think we can all agree that losing that agricultural base in a rural community will have lasting and far-reaching implications to the fabric of our being. Perhaps we can all pause, step back and take a good, hard, long look at what agriculture truly means to Broadwater County, all the other rural communities, and the Last Best Place - Montana.
In closing, I wish to honor one of the quintessential ag enthusiasts of our area, my sister-in-law, Vikki Thompson. Vik was one of the first residents to live and work at the original Farm in the Dell, in Helena. The model used to create this amazing place has been replicated around the world. Vik still lives in the Helena area but has been working at the West Mont Flower & Trading Company, where she spreads her talent and joy daily to the people and businesses in this area. West Mont Flowers offers a full-service flower shop, as well as provides vocational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. If you haven’t supported this business before, spring is the perfect time to buy a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers and see WHERE ABILITIES BLOSSOM!
Have a blessed Spring!
For the Love of Ag, From the Heart of a Western Woman.
Denise Thompson
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
Image 1 Caption: Vikki Thompson, treasured sister of Vince Thompson and valued member of the West Mont Flower Shop in Helena, Montana, where abilities blossom.
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
