Fertile mind spurs growth in local ag
With four separate research trials under way, it’s an exciting time for agriculture in the Flathead Valley.
The latest project, a field trial to see if commercial hops production is feasible in this part of the state, will get going this summer near Whitefish and has the potential to greatly benefit craft brewers not only here but across the state.
Other field trials are developing new varieties of cherries to help that industry be more competitive and studying cold-hardy grape production for Northwest Montana. Flathead County also is participating in a trial to test apple, pear and plum trees across the state.
The vision for much of this research springs from Pat McGlynn, the Montana State University Extension agent for Flathead County. With an impressive educational background — she has a Ph.D. in agriculture education from Cornell University — McGlynn is a dynamo who sees the big picture of what diversified agricultural production can do for the Flathead.
McGlynn says she finds it rewarding to incorporate her love of agriculture, entrepreneurship, tourism and team-building into making local ag producers and business owners more profitable. She’s been brainstorming with all kinds of groups to find alternative ways of improving the economics for local ag producers. And she sees all kinds of possibilities for growing our tourism industry with unique locally foods and beverages.
Flathead County is far from the amber waves of grain that grow in Montana’s fertile “golden triangle.” And we don’t have the elaborate irrigation systems of Eastern Montana, where sugar beet production has long been a way of life. But thanks to McGlynn we’re finding our own agricultural niche here. We’re darn lucky to have someone like her leading the way.
And more good news...
Another sign of encouraging economic times is the expansion of Montana Firearms Group, which is building a new 10,000-square-foot facility east of Kalispell to expand its manufacturing of production hunting rifles. Montana Firearms is the sister company of Montana Rifleman, where barrel production has more than doubled over the past two years. Montana Rifleman recently was acquired by Remington Arms Co. and details of that transaction are yet to be released.
Word on the street is that local firearms businesses are thriving; many are working overtime to keep up with the demand. The growing firearms industry in the Flathead is another local success story that has put Northwest Montana on the map.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.