Luci Brieger and Steve Elliot embrace hard work without hesitation.
The temperature had already reached 75 degrees by 9 a.m. on Thursday morning as the duo diligently worked to finish their morning chores on their farm in Victor before the intense heat of the afternoon arrived.
With 40 years of experience in organic farming and nurturing the next generation of organic agriculture enthusiasts, Elliot and Brieger of Lifeline Produce in Victor have been honored as the recipients of the 2024 Missoula Conservation Roundtable Lifetime Achievement Award. Brieger expressed her gratitude for receiving the award.
“To me, this award is as prestigious as the Nobel Prize,” Brieger remarked while harvesting basil in one of the farm’s greenhouses. “Being recognized and chosen for this honor by our peers is a significant moment for me. It’s something we take pride in, even though we are simply doing what we love. I never imagined that living our lives could earn us an award, but I am grateful for it.”
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Each year, the Missoula Conservation Roundtable honors local individuals for their contributions. These awards serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration for others involved in recognizing, preserving, and safeguarding our valuable natural resources, as stated on the group’s website. Elliot and Brieger were nominated for the award by University of Montana Environmental Studies Professor Neva Hassanein, Missoula County Commissioner Josh Slotnick, and University of Montana Environmental Studies Professors Emeritus Tom Roy and Vicki Watson.
In a statement regarding the award, the roundtable commended Elliot and Brieger for their utilization of biodynamic regenerative farming practices, their dedication to mentoring young individuals, and their role in establishing the foundation for the local food movement. “Conservation is about working harmoniously with the land, treating it with respect, and passing it on in good condition to future generations,” a roundtable statement about the award declared. “Through their embrace of ecological diversity and reciprocity, Lifeline exemplifies the essence of conservation at its best.”
Lifeline Produce is a certified organic farm that supplies fresh fruits and vegetables to local grocery stores in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley, as well as to the Western Montana Growers Co-Op. The co-op further distributes the produce to grocery stores, restaurants, and institutions across Montana, northern Idaho, and eastern Washington. Their produce is available locally at Super One in Stevensville, as well as at The Good Food Store and Orange Street Food Farm in Missoula.
The farm operates on a closed-loop system where all resources generated are used to sustain other farm activities. Brieger and Elliot cultivate hay and feed for their livestock, which in turn produce manure used for composting to enrich the soil for growing crops. Any surplus crops are utilized as feed for the livestock. Through their closed-loop system and hard work, they are able to yield significant amounts of produce from just 78 acres.
Solar panels supply the majority of the farm’s electricity, and they also create their own biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil sourced from Victor’s Hamilton House and the Mustard Seed Restaurant in Missoula for their farm vehicles.
The couple’s commitment to conservation extends beyond their farming practices and use of alternative energy sources. In January, they finalized a conservation easement on Lifeline Produce’s 78 acres, ensuring the land will be protected from development permanently with assistance from the Bitterroot Land Trust.
Despite feeling that the recognition may be premature, Elliot was both surprised and appreciative of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“It’s somewhat amusing because life is still ongoing,” he chuckled. “But it’s a tremendous honor. We didn’t have any expectations; it came as a complete surprise. It’s heartening to see that agriculture can be seen as a form of conservation.”
