Montana: Wide Open Agriculture

A visit to Montana is a visit to the true American West, where vast skies, fresh, crisp air and crystal clear water welcome you. There’s no shortage of nature in its purest form, as the Big Sky State is home to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, as well as Triple Divide Peak, where water flows freely into three separate oceans.

The abundance of natural resources creates an extremely fertile environment for Montana’s largest industry – agriculture. The state boasts almost 28,000 farms and ranches spread across 59.7 million acres. They are exceptionally large, averaging 2,134 acres each.

Producing a wide range of commodities, wheat and beef top Montana’s list. However, you’ll also find sweet cherries, sugar beets, seed potatoes and hay, to name a few. Montana is a national leader in the production of certified organic wheat, dry peas, lentils and flax, and ranks No. 2 in the U.S. for its honey and pollination industry. Altogether, the Big Sky State’s agriculture industry brings an average of $5.2 billion to the economy annually.

In an effort to push Montana’s industry forward, farmers, ranchers and those involved in agriculture are doing more than just growing crops and commodities.

Montana State University launched a research endeavor in the state’s fruit sector to find the best cultivars for the state and provide more locally grown produce to consumers. More research is being done in other areas to promote sustainability and best management techniques. The Montana Department of Agriculture is working to diversify crops grown in the state with its specialty crop block grants. And other groups are focusing on better ways to easily distribute local foods to consumers.

The state continues to uphold its reputation overseas as well. Montana wheat is sought after worldwide for its exceptional quality, and exports are an important aspect of the overall industry. These efforts and more are sure to keep Montana agriculture on top.

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