In a recent guest view (IR, July 9) Chuck Denowh complained that American Prairie’s purchases of agriculture land is costing every Montanan.
I share his concerns about the implications for production and, even more, for the consequences to traditional family ranches and rural communities.
But, I’d suggest that American Prairie is not the problem. Rather, the problem is the combination of economic forces that compel family ranches to go out of business and sell their property.
Perhaps it is time to consider a new model for ranching in Montana — one which puts more emphasis on conservation, sustainable agriculture practices, private-public partnerships, and farm-to-table marketing. Groups like the Blackfoot Challenge and the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance have already taken steps in that direction. What are the opportunities to build on what they already are doing well?
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One suggestion for American Prairie’s neighbors would be to work together, with BLM, NRCS, and the Agriculture Extension Service to develop a single management plan specific to several ranches.
Include FWP in the mix; develop cooperative management agreements secured with leases; and, appropriately compensate the cooperating ranches with Habitat Montana dollars.
