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. CFAC is proud to partner with area farmers who will share systems and techniques that have helped make their farms successful.
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 register for each event separately. You will receive an email the week of the event with more details. If you have any trouble registering or have any questions email mary@missoulacfac.org or call 406-926-1625.
Cold Hardy Berry Production
Hilltop Haven Farm – Missoula, MT
Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 – 4pm
Hilltop Haven Farm is a small berry and produce farm located just north of Missoula, MT. Travis Greenwalt and his crew grow a variety of berries including Saskatoon berries. During this field day attendees will learn some tips and tricks to growing berries in Montana. Berry experts from Western Agricultural Research Center will also be in attendance to answer any questions about berry production!
Registration Deadline: Sunday, July 18th, 2021
High-Density Rotational Grazing
Shady Maple Farm – St. Ignatius, MT
Thursday, August 12th, 2021 – 4pm
Located in Saint Ignatius, Montana, Shady Maple Farm is a small, family-run farm dedicated to regenerative agriculture. Through high-density grazing, they are restoring degraded farmland to prime pasture, while producing high-quality, grass-fed lamb and beef. During this field day we will hear from David Sturman and his family about the high-density rotational grazing methods they use with their livestock.
Registration Deadline: Monday, August 9th, 2021
Low-Till Techniques for Vegetable Farmers
SweetRoot Farm – Hamilton, MT
Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 – 4pm
SweetRoot Farm grows a wide range of produce, herbs, flowers, and eggs primarily for customers in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. They are a farm deeply rooted in their local community, while also serving restaurants, stores, and institutions throughout western Montana as members of the Western Montana Growers Cooperative. During this field day farmers will learn about SweetRoot’s on-farm no-till techniques they use to support healthy soil management.
Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 29th, 2021
Orchard and Vineyard Management
Western Agricultural Research Center – Corvallis, MT
Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 – 4pm
Located in Corvallis, Montana the Western Agricultural Research Center (WARC) is situated on 29 acres of farmland equipped with a variety of field plots, laboratory equipment, as well as greenhouse and high tunnel facilities. During this field day attendees will learn about new research and techniques being used at WARC to manage their on-site orchard and vineyard. A few of their current research projects include cold hardy wine and table grape variety trials and integrating livestock into orchard management.
Registration Deadline: Sunday, September 12th, 2021
Seed Saving Methods for Small Scale Growers
Homestead Organics Farm – Hamilton, MT
Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 – 4pm
Homestead Organics is a fourteen-acre certified organic farm near Hamilton, Montana. They produce a variety of vegetables, poultry, and hemp, as well as seeds they grow for Triple Divide Organic Seed Cooperative. For the past five years, the farm has primarily been committed to spreading agricultural knowledge and skills to local youth. The fields and pastures of Homestead Organics serve as the classroom for Cultivating Connections, an educational non-profit that provides paid service-learning internships for students from the local high schools. During this field day attendees will get to see some seed saving, harvesting, and cleaning techniques in action and learn about growing vegetables for seed.
Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 10th, 2021