Kalispell and Columbia Falls get grants for ag programs

Kalispell and Columbia Falls schools will benefit from two grants awarded by the Montana Farmers Union Foundation for agriculture programs and projects.

The H.E. Robinson Ag Education Center at Kalispell Public Schools received $750 to purchase a swather. A swather is a harvesting machine that cuts hay or grain crops, raking them into rows, called a windrow, for drying.  

Land to Hand Montana received a $2,500 grant to purchase training supplies for its Farm-to-School program that serves Columbia Falls School District students through projects including the Wildcat Garden and Fresh Snack Friday, which provides fresh produce for the Weekend Backpack Program. 

The Montana Farmers Union Foundation awarded grants totaling $33,349 to 24 agriculture-centered projects that advance the foundation’s mission to create new opportunities and contribute to the growth and enhancement of Montana agriculture and rural communities, according to a press release. The foundation received more than 70 grant applications. 

“This year was harder than ever to select the grant awardees. For every grant we awarded, there were two great projects that we were not able to fund. The word is out, and I hope we can continue to grow our foundation to be able to fund more projects next year,” foundation President Walter Schweitzer said. 

For more information visit www.montanafarmersunion.com.