The Montana Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2022 hemp growing season after receiving federal approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its state hemp production plan which took effect Jan. 1, 2022. “Montana’s hemp industry continues to advance and present opportunities for growers, especially with regard to fiber and grain,” said

Wheat, corn, soybeans perhaps? I had the opportunity to attend an ag improvement association and soil conservation meeting in Williston, N.D., last week. Dr. Frayne Olson was one of the featured speakers who is the crop economist for NDSU. He had some interesting insights into what is happening with our crop markets and the differences we are seeing in our western region and across the country and

The Montana Farm Bureau announces their ACE (Advocate. Communicate. Educate.) Leadership Program class for 2022. The fifth ACE program will empower Farm Bureau members to be confident, effective leaders in their county Farm Bureau and local communities. Advocacy follows leadership and with practiced, ever-evolving leadership skills, participants will be prepared to actively advocate on key industry

Roosevelt County has 189 active cases as of Monday, Jan. 31. There have been 70 COVID-related deaths in the county. County health officials encourage all residents aged 5 and up to be vaccinated and those over 16 should consider getting booster doses. Immunizations are by appointment only. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call 406-653-6223. Adult vaccination clinics are scheduled

The Bureau of Reclamation has announced the first round of funding for the Milk River Project, which U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., secured up to $100 million for in his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, now law. “I’m proud to announce the first round of funding for the Milk River Project from our infrastructure bill is now on its way to the communities that have needed this

Montana State University Extension has released a new MontGuide fact sheet discussing testamentary trusts. According to Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist, a person can create a testamentary trust in a written will. A testamentary trust is one that is established according to the instructions contained in a last will and testament. The will maker names a trustee to manage

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for its Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. The deadline for applications is March 31, with an additional cycle deadline of June 30. The program offers loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations to provide microloans for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and/or

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has sent a letter to DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow raising concerns about the company’s decision to remove conservative network One America News Network (OAN) from their platform. “There has not been sufficient justification from DirecTV as to why OAN’s contract was not renewed by your company. A vague ‘routine internal review’ and the lack of transparency

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. District Court District of Montana welcomed 22 U.S. citizenship candidates for naturalization at the James F. Battin Federal Courthouse Jan. 20, including residents of Bainville and Poplar. The ceremony was the first held at the courthouse since February 2020. Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan presided over the ceremony and the courtroom deputy

On Jan. 1, the Montana Department of Livestock Brand Rerecord period ended. Brand Rerecord is a one year period in which Montana brand owners renew their brands with the state to ensure an accurate record of livestock brands that are still in use. Brand Rerecord began in 1921 and occurs every 10 years. As of Jan. 1, 2021, there were 55,567 brands recorded with the Department of Livestock. By