Glendive, MT

The extension service is encouraging farmers to try varieties of beans, onions and other vegetables to take the place of sugar beets that they are no longer growing. The Lower Yellowstone valley, from Hardin to Sidney has the most growing degree days in the state and is capable of providing produce for a sustainable local food system. Food travels an average of 1500 miles to get to our table in Montana. In the 1950s Montanans produced 70% of what we ate. It’s now down to 10%. Montana ag producers ship their commodities out by the semi-load or boxcar. We would like to ad value to that instate and make Montana food available locally. On a small scale, Western Trails Food is a model for doing just that.

The prison is modeling these garden techniques and using the food raised for their consumption. It is a privilege to work outside and since the prisons have nothing but time, there is not a weed to be found. The governor endorses this project.

Your donation can help create a legacy in Dawson. The Greater Glendive Community Foundation was started to make our community sustainable and to have a plan for giving instead of crisis fundraising for needy community projects. $70 million dollars is going to transfer from the older generation in the next 10 years in Dawson County. Our long term goal is to capture 5% of the transfer of wealth in order to help with community projects.

Because of generous donors, GGCF has been able to help refurbish the Community Concert grand piano at DCHS, given to the Brett Fitch Skate Park, beautification, Parent Resource Center, Kool Kids’ playground equipment, Special Olympics equestrian program, and added “Home of the Miss MT Scholarship Program” to two Glendive billboards, to name a few projects. Thanks to the Lees, we also sponsored a wonderful reception at the Charley Montana B&B to recognize the organizations who received Greater Glendive Community Foundation funds to jumpstart projects to improve Glendive. We also helped coordinate Marsha Goetting’s Estate Planning Seminar in October. This past 13 months, the Greater Glendive Community Foundation provided a total of $5375 in grants to support nine organizations. Tax deductible donations can be made to GGCF, Box 1122, Glendive, MT 59330.