Program, Buyers Team Up For Food Donations In Daniels County

Thanks to donations by area businesses and the work of The Producer Partnership program, Scobey schools and the Daniels County Food Bank each have additional meat this year.

Daniels County MSU Extension agent Inga Hawbaker explains this was the first year that buyers during the Daniels County Fair’s FFA/4-H sale could donate their purchased animal to the school or food bank.

“It’s really a good option for buyers who wish to donate food to our schools and food bank,” Hawbaker said.

According to the Producer Partnership’s website, the organization was founded in 2020 with the goal to end hunger in Montana. The non-profit organization partners with livestock producers across the state by processing donated livestock into top quality protein and providing it to food banks to help those in need. “This is the spirit of Montana neighbors helping one another.”

A steer and two pigs were donated from the Daniels County’s FFA/4-H livestock sale. AgWest Farm Credit donated the steer while the Wolfe-Daniels Agency and C& B Operations donated the pigs.

The animals purchased included a steer raised by Brooklyn Hughes, a pig provided by Kimberly Oller and a pig from Tylee Dahl. Oller was the fair’s market swing grand champion this year.

Hawbaker said nearly 700 pounds of pork and beef were donated. She picked up the items from Producer Partnership during a delivery in Glasgow.

She is hopeful that the option is available again during next year’s county fair. She says this was the second year that Valley County provided the program at its county fair. Producer Partnership is based out of Livingston.

“It is relatively new in our northeast corner,” she said.