Montana Organic Association invites you to tour three farms and ranches in the Bozeman-area, Saturday, June 29 beginning 1:00 p.m.  This year’s circuit includes C-5 Organics, Amaltheia Organic Dairy and MSU’s Towne’s Harvest.

Beginning at C-5 Organics, Brian Goldhahn, certified organic since 2004, will explain the nuts and bolts of his grass-finished beef, hay and small grains operation.

Just down the road at Amaltheia Organic Dairy, the Browns raise dairy goats for cheese and pasture whey-fed pigs.  After a tour of the milking parlor, the Browns will lead discussions about goat nutrition, pasture-raised pigs, field and high tunnel vegetable production, and composting to improve soil fertility.

The tour concludes at Towne’s Harvest, a key component of Montana State University’s Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems program.  Towne’s Harvest specializes in organic vegetable production, giving MSU students hands-on field experience.

Participants are encouraged to arrive at C-5 Organics at 1:00 p.m. or to board a community bus departing from Towne’s Harvest at 12:30 a.m.  The bus will provide transport to all tour sites.  Appetizers and a social hour back at Towne’s Harvest will follow, giving attendees a chance to visit with fellow producers and consumers.

The tour costs $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for students, and kids are free.  Pre-registration is encouraged but not mandatory.  Please contact Nate Brown at 579-6439, g.nathanbrown@gmail.com, Chaz Holt at 425-3039 or charles.holt@montana.edu, or Casey Bailey at 240-2389, caseybail@gmail.com with questions or to register.

Directions to C-5 Organics, 3211 Reese Creek Road, Belgrade, MT 59714:

Take exit 305 on I-90 W toward Springhill Road, turning right onto N 19th Street.  After ¼ of a mile, turn right onto Springhill Road.  Stay on Springhill Road for 10.4 miles, and turn left on Reese Creek Road.  In 1.6 miles, C-5 is on the right.

Directions to Towne’s Harvest at Bozeman MSU Agriculture Research and Educational Farm:

Take 19th Avenue exit off I-90 into Bozeman.   Pass MSU on your left, take a right (south) on Garfield Street.  Take the next left onto a dirt road. In about one quarter of a mile, Townes Harvest is on your left.