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KUFM Commentary - March 2009 --------------------------------------------------------- We Must Fund our Food and Agriculture Development Centers Montanans spend $3 billion on food each year. Ninety percent of those dollars go out of state or even out of the country. This fact may seem ironic at first, since agriculture is one of Montana's top industries and the state ranks second in the country in the number of acres in agricultural production. But the fact is, most of our raw agricultural commodities – like wheat and cattle – are shipped out of state for processing and then re-imported in their value-added form – such as bread and ground beef – to feed our own citizens. This means our farmers, ranchers, and agriculture-related businesses are capturing only a tiny fraction of the value of what they produce. This does not make sense economically, socially or environmentally. So why do our children eat hamburgers in the lunchroom that are shipped from thousands of miles away, while cattle graze within walking distance from their school? The lack of food processing infrastructure is a primary culprit. To provide some perspective, in 1950, 70% of the food Montanans ate was produced in-state. Montanans had access to many fruits and vegetables year-round, and combined with our state's grain and meat products, Montana effectively produced a nutritionally complete diet. Back then food processing was our state's number one employer. But these days food processing in Montana isn't even considered worth tracking by the U.S. census bureau. The result is fewer jobs, and limited options for farmers, ranchers, and other entrepreneurs to process their products – and the loss of economic stimulus for communities home to food processing. The lack of food processing is especially a problem now that consumers are increasingly demanding to know where and how their food is grown and processed. We've all witnessed the momentum toward "Montana Food for Montanans." Just look at the extensive partnerships built through Montana's Farm to College program, which uses local money to purchase local food and farm products from Montana farmers and ranchers. In four short years the program has returned more than $1.5 million to regional farmers and ranchers. Such model programs show that we can feed our citizens safe and healthy food while keeping more money in the pockets of Montana farmers, ranchers, small businesses and communities. *** That's why Grow Montana, a state coalition that promotes community economic development policies, is proposing House Bill 583. This bill, currently before the House Appropriations Committee, would fund six established food and agricultural development centers. These centers are places where entrepreneurs can go to get technical assistance for food product development and manufacturing. The staff at the centers help people navigate lengthy regulatory processes to ensure products meet food safety laws, and they provide marketing advice and business plan development to help new products capture the growing market for Montana-made goods. We already have a small number of food and agricultural development centers around the state. These centers, traditionally known as "food innovation centers" and "bio-product innovation centers," hold tremendous potential for economic development in both urban and rural communities. Whether it's processing a food product for local retailers or institutions, or developing a renewable energy product to lessen our dependence on global sources of fuel, these centers help producers add value to their products at a time when our farmers and ranchers have few options in the state for turning their crops and livestock into ready-to-sell or ready-to-eat products. *** It's a tough time to ask our State Legislature for funding, yet HB 583 is a modest investment considering the economic benefits that will come back to our state in the form of small businesses, nutritious food, and renewable energy products. If Montanans are to enjoy the economic, health, and environmental benefits of a Montana-based food system, we must maintain and enhance our capacity to add value to our agricultural products. For more information on the bill go to: growmontana.ncat.org Please contact your Representatives and ask them to support HB 583. This is a sensible economic development investment – HB 583 can make value-added agriculture an engine of sustainable, community-based economic development. I'm Kiki Hubbard for the Alternative Energy Resources Organization. AERO is a grassroots membership organization that's been building communities by linking people with sustainable agriculture and energy solutions for 35 years. If you'd like to get involved with agriculture and energy policy this legislative session, give us a call in Helena at (406) 443-7272.
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