Did you know that the food we eat travels an average of 1,500 miles before it makes it to your plate? For a rural population, this number is most likely higher for all of us. The good news is that many farmers in the valley are trying to source food locally to cut down on unnecessary fossil fuel use and its environmental impacts.
We are providing sources for many of the local agriculture options because farmers in the state of Montana want to source one third of their food locally by 2033. Ravalli County wants to be the first in the state to do this. So, let’s help our farmers achieve these goals!
What are the beneficial impacts of supporting your local CSAs, farm stands, and other agricultural resources?- As stated above, it reduces your food transportation miles, ultimately reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas (GHS) emissions.
- It supports animal welfare. For example, your local beef tends to be grass/pasture-raised instead of living in unhealthy feedlot conditions.
- Better nutrition when eating delicious in-season fruits and veggies.
- The local economy benefits and is strengthened. This is done by creating jobs and circulating money in the local community. The businesses and employees support your local taxes, community projects, and local organizations. It also allows for your community to be more economically resilient!
- Don’t forget the delicious food you will eat from your local farms will taste much fresher!
- Did you know your local farmers help the environment by having more sustainable practices in comparison to their larger counterparts? This is done by the biodiversity of crops that smaller farmers tend to grow and their kinder practices through organic methods, regenerative agriculture and permaculture.
| Provider | Produce | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Grove Farm | Fruit |  |
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| Lilly of the Valley Homestead | Eggs / flowers / fruit / herbs / veggies / soap | |
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| Yourganic Farm | Gardening Classes | |
| Provider | Produce |
|---|---|
| Double K Ranch & Meat Shop | Meat |
| Provider | Produce | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Creek Organics | Eggs / fruit / herbs / veggies | |
| Provider | Produce | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Acres Permaculture Preserve | Eggs / fruit / herbs / meat / veggies / misc | |
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| Cultivating Connections/Homestead Organics Farm | Eggs / flowers / fruit / herbs / meat / veggies | |
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| Farm Wild | Flowers | |
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| Sunning Dog Livestock | Meat | ||
| SweetRoot Farm | CSA | |
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| Provider | Produce | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sky Herbs | Herbs | |
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| Blue Mountain Flowers | Flowers | |
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| Farm Hand Farm | Flowers, vegetables | |
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| Garden City Fungi | Mushrooms | |
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| Garden City Harvest Neighborhood Farm | CSA, Community Garden | |
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| Oxbow Cattle Company | Beef | |
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| Primrose Farm & Bakehouse | Eggs, fruit, vegetables | |
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| Red Hen Farm and Orchard | Farm Stand | |
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| Seed & Spoke Farms | Eggs, flowers, herbs, vegetables | |
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| Turner Farms | CSA | |
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| Provider | Produce | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot Bison | Meat | |
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| Bleeding Heart Flower Farm | Flowers | |
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| Blue Coyote Farm | CSA | |
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| Fern Co | CSA | |
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| Full Bushel Farm | Flowers / food / self-care | |
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| Living River Farm LLC | Eggs / meat / poultry / farm stand | |
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| Winter Kissed Farm | CSA | |
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| Provider | Produce | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7B Farmstead | Dairy and meat | |
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| Lifeline Farm | Dairy and meat | |
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| Verdue Pastures | Farm Stand | |
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| Victor Community Garden | Community Garden |