Farm-to-Table

Our Mission is to develop a sustainable local food system in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota, increasing the vitality of our rural communities. Farm-to-Table works collaboratively with all sectors of the local food economy, including growers, value-added producers, restaurants, stores, institutional food services, and individual consumers to achieve our goal of a local food system.

We invite you to join the Farm-to-Table Ag Marketing Co-op. The cost is $500 per share. Producers or land owners can be voting members. One member, one vote. Those who are supporters, but not producers can buy preferred shares at $500 per share.

Culinary Arts Program

Farm-to-Table has been offering culinary night classes and workshops with chef Garth Clingingsmith through Dawson Community College. DCC is looking to offer an associate and certificate degree in Culinary Arts. Culinary classes will train chefs to work with local growers and producers as well as the skills of food preparation, safety and management.

The Associate of Culinary Arts degree will provide the initial education and training that a future food service worker needs to be productive at the mid-level in local food systems and food service outlets of any kind. The curriculum will combine a thorough academic component with a strong practical, hands-on, skills-based instruction appropriate for a well trained cook.

Food & Ag Development Center / Farm-to-Table Store

Community GATE is working on a shared-use commercial kitchen that can assist local entrepreneurs in developing new food items and provide a place for start-up businesses to develop and expand speciality food and catering businesses. It will be located at at the Eastern Plains Events Center (EPEC) at 313 S. Merrill in Glendive.

Garth Clingingsmith, the FADC Food Technologist, will be available to help food entrepeneurs with any problems they might encounter in developing or processing their products as well as act as a liaison between entrepeneurs and the appropriate government agencies who license and/or regulate that segment of the food industry.

Also at the EPEC is our retail shop, featuring Western Trails Food and Prairie Home Cuisine products, locally-grown vegetables, natural and organic foods, bulk foods, and much more.

High Hoop Tunnels

Through a Montana Department of Agriculture Growth through Agriculture Grant, a two-year high tunnel production system grant concluded in 2009. Because of the tentative success of the project, a three-year, movable high tunnel project proposal was written and has been funded through a USDA Specialty Crops Program Grant.

The development of these types of growing systems would allow producers and communities across the northern part of the United States the ability to replace some of the food currently being shipped into the region with fresh, locally-grown produce. By adding to the income of local producers and providing an additional source of local food, producers and local communities will become more sustainable and economically viable.