Organic Association Hosts Farm and Ranch Tour in Hinsdale

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. Matt and Sonja 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 am, the tour starts at 10, a mid- day lunch, and will wrap up with an ice cream/dessert social. Activities during the day include a cooking class by Chef Dy-an Carlson; a kids’ “bread in a bag” workshop and scavenger hunt; tours of spring wheat, naked oats, peas, and bar-ley; inter-seeding techniques; organic vs. conventional considerations; an Organic Advisory and Education Council presentation featuring MSU’s Dr. David Sands 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. Register online at Eventbriteeventbrite.com. 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. There will also be tour signs posted along the way. The Johnson’s are offering tent and RV spaces (no hookups) on their land for registered tour participants. Please call Sonja Johnson at (406) 648-5407 for more information.