Farmer Field Days are production-focused, on-farm workshops to help beginning farmers and ranchers get practical information that they can use to plan or enhance their own operations. The Community Food and Agriculture Coalition is proud to partner with area farmers who will share systems and techniques that have helped make their farms successful.
This year to accommodate social distancing guidelines, we will be launching a Virtual Farmer Field Day Series! One day each month, we will “visit” a different farm through a virtual tour during the afternoon to learn and see tools in action.
Farmer Field Days are geared toward those who are just at the beginning of their farm exploration – farmhands, interns, folks thinking about starting a farm in the near future, and anyone currently in the startup process. Beginning and established farmers and ranchers are welcome too, and everyone learns something new at a field day.
Please click on the links below to register for one or more Virtual Farmer Field Days this year! We hope to “see” you there!
Farmer Field Day Panel
Tuesday, June 2, 5pm
Bess Brownlee of Southbound Flowers and Nate Brown of Amaltheia Vegetable Farm
Hear from two of our farmer field day hosts this year for our first Farmer Field Day of the season through a new online Zoom format! Nate Brown from Amaltheia in Belgrade, MT will share about his operation and how he increases efficiency on his farm using specific tools. Bess Brownlee of Southbound Flowers will share a little about her farm and what she has learned as a new farmer. This field day will offer a peek into the summer field day series and also give you a chance to get to know a few local farmers! Everyone who attends this Zoom event and fills out an evaluation will be entered into a raffle to win Patagonia swag!
Starting a Small Scale Flower Farm
Thursday, June 25th, 5pm
Southbound Flowers, Florence, MT
Southbound Flowers is a small flower farm just outside of Florence, MT. Southbound specializes in cut flowers for weddings, wholesale, and weekly bouquet CSA subscriptions. Headed by Bess Brownlee, this micro-farm is woman-owned and grown! During this field day we will hear from Bess about some of the benefits and challenges of being a beginning farmer and how she has grown her business in just a few growing seasons. Everyone who attends this Zoom event and fills out an evaluation will be entered into a raffle to win Patagonia swag!
Efficient Vegetable Farming Equipment
Wednesday, July 22nd, 5pm
Amaltheia Vegetable Farm, Belgrade, MT
Amaltheia vegetable farm began in 2010 when Nate Brown decided to start a vegetable branch of Amaltheia Organic Dairy. Since 2010, Nate has grown the operation and now grows on 3 acres and has 5 high tunnels. He now sells the produce to several local grocery stores and at Bozeman farmer’s markets. During this field day we will learn about how Nate is using certain equipment such as a Paper Pot Transplanter and greens seeder to increase efficiency on his farm. Everyone who attends this Zoom event and fills out an evaluation will be entered into a raffle to win Patagonia swag!
Season Extension Systems
August 19th, 5pm
Missoula Grain and Vegetable Company, Stevensville, MT
The Missoula Grain and Vegetable Co. is a worker-cooperative of farmers who work together on 15 acres, pushing the bounds of the short Montana growing season. Some varieties of vegetables they grow almost all year round! During this field day we will hear from the folks at Missoula Grain and Vegetable Company and how they extend their vegetable season, even during cold Montana winters. Everyone who attends this Zoom event and fills out an evaluation will be entered into a raffle to win Patagonia swag!