Agriculture, Horticulture, and Natural Resources

Barley producers are encouraged to mark Thursday, February 13, 2025, on their calendar for the Golden Triangle Barley Update.  This event happens only once every three years, and features some of the industry’s top professionals.  The meeting will be held at the Pondera Shooting Sports Complex (972 Granite Rd, Conrad), with registration beginning at 8 a.m. and the meeting running from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  There is no fee to attend, and the day will be worth one private/commercial pesticide applicator credit as well.

The seminar will include updates on a variety of production, marketing, and industry topics.  Dr. Jamie Sherman, Montana State University (MSU) Barley breeder will give an update on the barley varieties and barley breeding program at MSU.  Industry representatives from Malteurop, Coors and Anheuser-Busch InBev will cover industry barley varieties.  Hannah Uhlmann from the MSU barley, malt and brewing lab will present malt specifications and how they are utilized. Jim Beusekom from Market place Commodities in Lethbridge, Alberta, will discuss the marketing of off grade barley. Ashley McFarland from American Malting Barley Association will share, “Thinking Critically about the Future of Barley.” 

Mitch Konen, Vice President of National Barley Growers Association will update producers on the status of the Farm Bill and Kera Birkland, Montana Grain Growers Association Director of Policy will share pertinent policy updates as well.  Katelin Standley from Anheuser Busch, Cody Shick from Molson Coors, Mark Black from Malteurop, Jeff Farkell from Centroll Corp Consulting LLC, Sam Anderson from Malteurop, and Dave Tweet from Tweet Consulting will conclude the meeting with a Malting Barley Industry Panel. Producers will have the opportunity to get their questions answered relative to the barley industry.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee.  An RSVP by February 6 to the Pondera County Extension Office at (406) 271-4054 or pondera@montana.edu is required for the meeting.

Thank you to local representatives from Centroll Crop Consulting, Malteurop, Coors, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Molson Coors, American Malting Barley Association, MSU Extension, and Montana Wheat and Barley Committee for their contributions and sponsorships. 

Cascade County Extension will be offering core Master Gardener classes in April and May 2025. Classes will be held on Monday and Thursday evenings at the Cascade County Extension office at 3300 Third Street NE in Great Falls, Montana. 

The core classes will cover soils, nutrients, and fertilizers, plant growth development, vegetables, herbaceous ornamentals, landscape design, planting and maintaining trees and shrubs, turfgrass, irrigation, small fruit, tree fruit, composting, and integrated pest management. Teachers are Jenn Swanson with MSU Extension-Teton County, Sidney Stratton with MSU Extension-Judith Basin County, Sarah Eilers with MSU Extension, Jesse Fullbright with MSU Extension-Liberty County, Kim Woodring with MSU Extension-Toole County, Tyler Lane with MSU Extension-Chouteau County and Rose Malisani with MSU Extension-Cascade County. The cost of the class is $100 which includes the Montana Master Gardener Handbook, class materials, and dinner. Call Rose at the Cascade County Extension office at (406) 454-6980 for more information or to register. The class size is limited to 25 students. 

You can also fill out and print this form and mail it with payment (made payable to MSU Extension) to the Cascade County MSU Extension office at 3300 3rd St NE, #9, Great Falls, MT 59404.