BOZEMAN — Montana State University is celebrating the 50th year of the WWAMI Medical Education Program, which allows students from Montana to pay in-state tuition while earning MD degrees from University of Washington’s top-ranking School of Medicine.

Since WWAMI’s inception at MSU in the fall of 1973, more than 1,000 students from Montana have enrolled, according to the program’s records. More than 350 WWAMI graduates currently serve as physicians in the state of Montana.

“There were two goals at the outset of the WWAMI program,” said Martin Teintze, MSU WWAMI director. “One is to provide an opportunity for Montana students to go a top-notch medical school. The other goal was to provide physicians for the state of Montana.

“The first goal has definitely been met,” Teintze continued. “For the second goal, there are more than 350 physicians practicing in the state that are WWAMI graduates. That’s a significant chunk of physicians in our state.”

In addition to Montana, other states participating in the cooperative medical education program are Washington, Wyoming, Alaska and Idaho. Montana students spend 18 months receiving instruction from MSU professors as well as physicians at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital. The next two and a half years are spent doing clinical rotations in a variety of Montana locations, as well as Seattle and other sites in the WWAMI region.

Montana’s first WWAMI class had 10 students. Class size grew to 20 in 1975 and then to 30 students in 2013, with support from the Montana Legislature.

Students complete their first 18 months in Bozeman, which means that two groups totaling 60 Montana students are now educated in the program at MSU each fall.

“There was general agreement when Montana joined WWAMI in 1973 that Montana needed more physicians and this was the way to do it,” Teintze said. “It was also the least expensive way to do it. Building a standalone, Montana University System-run medical school would have been vastly more expensive for the Montana taxpayer.”

Teintze expressed appreciation for Montana lawmakers who supported the state’s joining the program in the 1970s and have increased the number of Montana resident students supported by legislative funding in successive decades. Students who do not end up practicing in Montana within a year after completing their education repay a portion of the subsidy they received from the state.

“We appreciate the ongoing support the program has had from the legislature for the past 50 years,” Teintze said. “It’s a long-term investment in the health of Montanans.”

Montana WWAMI students complete the majority of their clinical training in the state at more than 50 sites under the direction of approximately 650 Montana physicians, Teintze said.

“It has really become a Montana program,” Teintze said.

In the mid 2000s, the University of Washington hired a Montana clinical dean, Jay Erickson, who developed a program called TRUST, which stands for Targeted Rural Under Served Track. The program links 12 WWAMI students in each class to underserved communities. Those students spend a couple of weeks in the community in which they are paired before starting medical school as well as a month between the 1st and 2nd year. Then, in their second year, they spend five months in those communities completing part of their clinical training. There are currently 11 TRUST sites in Montana, from Miles City to Libby and from Dillon to Glasgow.

“The objective is to provide students who are interested in this kind of a work a real experience of what it is like to be a small-town physician, and to make sure they are trained by people who have chosen it as their career path,” Teintze said.

Teintze said TRUST has seen success with its goal of increasing the number of WWAMI graduates now practicing in the state’s rural areas, with alumni of that program now practicing medicine in places like Anaconda, Ronan, Hardin, Havre, Lewistown and Miles City.

“We’re hoping this success will grow,” he said.

Teintze said that, after 50 years in operation, the need for the WWAMI program remains strong.

“The average age of the population in Montana is going up, and therefore the need for medical care is also rising,” he said. “We are also facing a wave of physician retirements at a time when the need for more physicians due to the aging population is increasing, and the situation is even more dire in rural parts of Montana.

“With the time it takes to educate a medical student – four years of medical school, plus three to five years of residency afterwards – we need to be planning now for physicians that we need seven to 10 years from now. The prudent thing is to plan ahead.”

BOZEMAN — The roar of two Navy F-5N Tiger jets will mingle with the final notes of the national anthem in Bobcat Stadium this Saturday, thrilling fans assembled for the 2022 Montana State University homecoming football game against Idaho State and marking a personal homecoming of sorts for one Bozeman family. 

The anthem will be sung by Emily Fraser, a first-year student who often visited relatives in Bozeman while she grew up a military kid, living in three countries and five U.S. states. And one of the jets performing Saturday’s flyover will be piloted by her dad, a Bozeman native and longtime Bobcat fan, Capt. Billy “Kid” Fraser, wing commander of the Tactical Support Wing based in Fort Worth, Texas. 

"Having the opportunity to share the flyover is a cool thing no matter where you are, but to fly over a stadium that you went to all of your younger life watching Bobcat games and where your daughter is singing the national anthem for her school– I don't think that it gets any better than that,” Billy Fraser said. 

His visit this weekend will mark the first time that he has been able to make it back to Bozeman since his family moved here in June — ahead of his retirement in early 2023. He said this MSU homecoming game is a true homecoming for him, his daughter and the whole family. 

"I think that just coming back to Bozeman, moving back home, being able to do the flyover, completes the circle of really great career,” he said. “I’m really thankful for everyone who has been a part of making this happen.” 

The flyover will happen just before the 2 p.m. kickoff for the Oct. 8 game. Joining Capt. Fraser on the flyover will be Fighter Squadron 13 based in Fallon, Nevada, including Cmdr. Austin Coovert from Walla Walla, Washington, Petty Officer 1st Class Nakato Tantillo from Uganda, and Chief Ian Wilson from Appleton, Wisconsin.  

Emily Fraser started at MSU this fall and plans to pursue a degree in political science in the College of Letters and Science. Singing and performing has been a passion of hers for as long as she can remember, and she said getting the opportunity to sing at the homecoming game is surreal. 

"I am very excited to sing in front of my family,” she said. Her mother, Liz, and two sisters, May, 15, and Molly, 13, will be in the audience, alongside her grandparents and extended family and friends.  

“I want to make my dad proud – hopefully make my country, school and Bozeman community proud. It’s going to be a special moment,” she said. “This homecoming game is a really special opportunity because my dad grew up in Bozeman and we’re all finally here now.  

“It's just an incredible moment to share. Bozeman is home.” 

One Montana’s Master Hunter Program is accepting applications October 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022 for the 2023 program. Classes will be held in Billings (March), Bozeman (April) and Missoula (May). Each class will consist of two 3-Day consecutive weekends (Friday – Sunday). A two-day weekend rendezvous in June is also required for qualifications, field exercises, and the final exam. 

The Master Hunter Program (MHP) is an advanced education program for hunters who want to improve and hone their knowledge and skills, build relationships with landowners to aid their wildlife management goals, and be advocates for conservation and wildlife. By creating opportunities for landowners and sportsmen to connect to each other, the MHP helps to deepen knowledge and understanding about ranching and agriculture, and ultimately works to increase access opportunities for future generations.

To date, 291 hunters have successfully completed the program. Graduates belong to a community of likeminded hunters stretching from Whitefish to Miles City who hunt together, keep each other informed, and are knowledgeable voices on issues affecting sportsmen across MT.

In the words of one graduate, “......this class and all the information I gained has already changed my life! I can't wait to see what great work we can do together with this excellent group of individuals". 

The program covers wildlife management, history of conservation, hunting culture and ethics, private land stewardship, and shooting accuracy and precision among other topics. The instructors have a wide diversity of knowledge and perspectives and include ranchers, farmers, university faculty, professional shooting instructors, wildlife managers, wildlife biologists, and MT Fish Wildlife and Parks personnel.    

The program is led by One Montana (1MT), a nonprofit working to sustain a vibrant Montana by connecting our urban and rural communities. The program is supported financially by private foundations, nonprofit organizations, trade associations and industry partners such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, onX Maps, Mystery Ranch, Sitka Gear and others.

Please visit www.mtmasterhunter.com for information about the application process, class dates, and eligibility requirements.

BOZEMAN — HRDC is actively seeking input from residents in Gallatin, Park and Meagher Counties to help inform future initiatives that support community needs across southwest Montana.  

Heather Grenier, HRDC’s CEO, explained the crucial nature of its Community Needs Assessment as it relates to its mission of building better communities. “This survey is one of the most important initiatives we undertake as an agency. Every three years, we reach out to everyone, regardless of circumstance, in all the communities we support to build an in-depth understanding of our communities’ most pressing needs.”

Grenier continued, “Our neighbors have always been so helpful to us in this process. The level of detail we receive paints a thorough picture of the intricacies and challenges that are present. Once we receive the survey data, our Board and our staff can begin our assessment which ultimately helps us originate supportive programs that address the realities many members of our community face. These surveys inform our work for the next three years and are at the very core of our operational model.”

Current HRDC programming is directly tied to the paradigm caused by the lack of affordable housing in our region that is coupled with a much higher-than-average cost of living and lower- than-average wages. HRDC is seeking deeper insight into the specific impacts households are experiencing resulting from this economic situation along with what these impacts could mean for the future of our community structure.

The 2022 Community Needs Assessment is open to everyone through October 31st and can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F8GV5T6.

HRDC is a private, not-for-profit Community Action Agency focused on building a better community through nearly 50 different initiatives aimed at combating poverty in southwestern Montana.

Due to staffing shortages, two Gallatin County offices will be temporarily reducing public office hours.

Starting Tuesday, Oct. 11, Gallatin County Justice Court and 911 Records (both located at the Law and Justice Center), will be open to the public from 8 AM to 3 PM. Staff in both offices will remain working from 3 to 5 PM each day; however, that will be uninterrupted time for employees to process accumulated filings and records requests.

Like many employers across the county, state, and nation, Justice Court and 911 Records are short staffed.

Both Justice Court and 911 Records offices have a total of 10 positions each, and each office is down three people due to open positions and retirement.

The reduced public office hours in both offices will remain in place until more staff are hired. We will keep the public updated.

Last month, the Clerk of District Court’s Office also reduced its public office hours to 8 AM to 3 PM. Those hours remain in place.

Gallatin County Justice Court

Justice Court handles misdemeanor citations from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Highway Patrol, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Montana Department of Transportation and processes most of the felony cases during the daily in-custody appearances.

Justice Court also handles civil cases, which includes restraining orders, landlord-tenant and Small Claims.

Justice Court will use its afternoon hours to enable staff to process backlogged filings. The court will continue to receive and process electronic and hand-delivered filings under the court’s window during the hours of 3 to 5 PM.

For questions, please contact Justice Court at 406-582-2191 or justice@gallatin.mt.gov.

Gallatin County 911 Records

Records is the second division to the 911 Communications Department, located behind the window at the main entrance of the Law and Justice Center. The department maintains the records from the Bozeman Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gallatin County Detention Center.

Records requests can still be made online by emailing supportservices@gallatin.mt.gov. A new website for online records requests is coming soon – we will provide updates as soon as that service becomes available!

For any questions, please call the office at 406-582-2005.

For information on job openings in Justice Court, 911 Records, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt.

BOZEMAN – Faculty and students from Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing will collaborate on a newly-funded cancer care project aimed at providing easier access to cancer care for rural Montanans.

The $1.9 million project is one of seven nationwide funded by the pharmaceutical company Merck’s charitable arm, the Merck Foundation, in a $20 million initiative. While all seven of the projects focus on underserved communities, the Montana project – which will include collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Bozeman Health and Barrett Hospital in Dillon – is the only one focused on rural healthcare. 

“Unless you live in one of Montana’s cities, you are often more than 60 minutes away from cancer services such as infusion therapy,” said Marg Hammersla, an assistant professor in the college of nursing and the primary MSU faculty member on the project. “So, cancer patients must regularly travel to receive beneficial, life-saving therapy.  There is a good possibility that for some patients in Montana, particularly on the eastern side of the state, they will forgo cancer treatment because accessing it is simply too burdensome.”

Lightening that burden is the goal of the collaborative project, which was announced by Merck in early September. Over five years, the collaborating agencies will establish a chemotherapy program at Barrett Hospital, which will allow southwest Montana residents to find more accessible cancer care closer to their homes.

The grant will fund preliminary research to determine what barriers discourage patients from accessing cancer care, which could be anything from travel times to weather restrictions or not having someone who can drive them to appointments if they’re feeling particularly unwell. As the project progresses, pharmaceutical and nursing resources at Barrett Hospital will be updated and expanded to establish the needed chemotherapy capabilities. A nurse practitioner will be hired to oversee chemotherapy infusions and to provide acute care for patients who would otherwise have to drive to a larger hospital like those in Bozeman, Billings or Missoula if they faced a need for acute care. There will also be support for a total of nine on-campus student researcher positions: one during the award’s first year and two during each of the remaining four years.

As a nurse practitioner in geriatric health, Hammersla sees the need for programs like this one every day in her own practice. Recent statistics show that Montana has the sixth highest proportion of residents over the age of 65 – 19.7% – and is the only state in the top ten that lies west of the Mississippi. While not every cancer patient is over 65, Hammersla notes that the older the population, the higher the incidence of cancer. For her, this project is more than research – it is creating access to life-changing therapy for rural people who are experiencing cancer, with the potential to save lives.

“This work will be transformative for our rural communities,” said Hammersla. “We know what needs to happen. But how do we break down the barriers, so rural cancer patients have access to effective cancer therapies? We’re hoping by this time next year these patients will be able to get chemotherapy closer to home reducing the logistical burdens of cancer treatment.”

The goal of the project is that the pilot model established through the collaboration between Bozeman Health and Barrett Hospital will turn into a “hub and spoke” model that can be replicated elsewhere, providing resources to establish medical capabilities that many rural hospitals simply don’t have the bandwidth or staff for. If the initial program is a success, the potential for expansion could be limitless in rural areas across the U.S.

“I think the investment by Merck in a project that’s focused on rural health is really significant, and speaks to the qualifications of the team that put this proposal together,” said Molly Secor, associate dean for research in the college of nursing. “Health outcomes for people living in rural communities are poorer than those for urban dwellers. To solve the challenges that account for this difference, we need to create momentum for system change.  Montana is the perfect state to do that. Merck’s recognition that this is the right place, the right group of people and the right time is very exciting and gratifying.”

The unique nature of the MSU college of nursing also makes Montana an ideal place for this project, says Secor.

“Our nurse practitioners are able to complete their education from a distance,” said Secor. “Our hope is that they’ll stay in their home communities after they graduate to practice and serve Montana’s rural and frontier areas. To truly shift the needle on health outcomes, it will take nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse researchers. Nursing is at the nexus of being able to conduct science and then connect that science to practice.

For Hammersla, the collaboration is a perfect storm, and a chance to do exactly what the nursing profession was created for: to establish authoritative medical knowledge and use it to positively impact the lives of the people who need it most.

“I’m excited to demonstrate that a partnership between nurse researchers at the college of nursing, practice partners and professional groups is a win-win-win for everyone – especially Montanans,” said Hammersla. “This project is literally expanding geographic access to care. There are all kinds of opportunities for health care partners to form beneficial partnerships with the college of nursing, and I’m excited to build these collaborations.” 

Founded in 1937, Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing offers bachelor’s, accelerated bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral-level nursing education to produce nurses, nurse leaders, nurse educators and nurse practitioners for Montana. The college of nursing has campus locations in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula. Montana State University is the largest producer of registered nurses in Montana and is the sole provider of doctoral nurse practitioner education in the state. More information is available at montana.edu/nursing. 

BOZEMAN—The Bozeman Public Library Foundation announced today a $50,000 gift from First Security Bank toward renovations at the Bozeman Public Library.
The renovations began last month and will create new learning labs, quiet reading areas, a small recording studio, and a new central meeting place within the Library. As part of the BPL Forward Capital Campaign to improve Library service in Gallatin Valley, the renovations tie into the broader shift among libraries from being book repositories to serving as community centers with free classes on various subjects and access to a wide range of technology. The $5.6 million renovation is funded entirely by donations from corporations, foundations, and private individuals.

First Security Bank has been a generous supporter of the Bozeman Public Library over the years, including making a $25,000 donation toward the construction of the current library in 2006. "First Security Bank is proud to support the Bozeman Public Library in their renovation project," says Jim Ness, President and CEO of First Security Bank. "The Bozeman Public Library is a huge asset that benefits our entire community. With these renovations, our library continues to strive to meet the needs of our growing community. We are lucky to have such a wonderful and safe place for our community members to enjoy and expand their knowledge."

Bozeman has become home to more than 20,000 new residents since the Library opened in its current Main Street location sixteen years ago. "We'll always have books and quiet spaces for our patrons," explains Bozeman Public Library Director Susan Gregory. "Our growing community also needs more and better spaces for meetings, for classes such as healthy cooking demonstrations and computer software training, and for recording and sharing their ideas through podcasting and music. This renovation gives us extraordinary bang for the buck to modernize our Library, and we're grateful to First Security for their important role in making it possible."

For more information about the BPL Forward capital campaign, please call Jen Shoemaker, Bozeman Public Library Foundation Development and Communications Manager, at 406-582-2437.

About the Bozeman Public Library and the Bozeman Public Library Foundation:
The Bozeman Public Library has created opportunities that inspire curiosity, exploration, and connection since 1891. The 501(c)(3) Public Library Foundation raises funds for capital improvements and to increase and enhance the quality of programs, services, and events at the Library.

Florida is a state that draws in people for different reasons: the warm weather, the diverse community and unique culture, and beautiful beaches to name a few. Whether you're looking to buy a house or just relocate down south, there are a few things you should consider before making your decision. We explore five key relocation tips in this quick guide. Let’s dive in!

Weigh the pros and cons of moving to Florida

Many people move to Florida for the beautiful weather, but there are also many other reasons to want to live in the state.

Wine Country
With over 1,000 wineries, Florida has more than any other state. The climate is perfect for wine production and the state has a wide variety of grape types to choose from.

The diverse population
Over 20 million people call Florida home, which means there are always plenty of opportunities to meet new people. The population is also incredibly diverse, with people from all over the world living in the state.

Cost of living
Florida is one of the most affordable states in the country, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a place to start their own business or invest money.

On the downside, you might want to reconsider relocating here for the following reasons:

High temperatures and humidity
Both are very common in Florida, which can be tough on the body and mood.

Hurricanes
Florida is one of the states most vulnerable to hurricanes, so it's important to be prepared for the possibility of one hitting your area.

Crime levels
Florida ranks as one of the most dangerous states in the U.S., so if you're looking for a safe place to live, you may want to look elsewhere.

Research Florida cities to find the best one for you

From the bustling metropolises of Miami and Orlando to the charming small towns dotting the state's Gulf Coast, Florida has plenty of options to choose from. Here are the top 3 cities worth considering:

Miami
Miami is one of the most popular destinations in Florida due to its alluringly warm weather and numerous attractions, including world-famous beaches like Miami Beach. If you're looking for a bustling metropolitan area with all the amenities, Miami is definitely worth consideration.

Cape Coral
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Cape Coral offers year-round sunshine with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. The city features many attractions such as Hyatt Regency Cape Coral Resort and Spa, Cross Creek Mall, and The Village at Gulfstream Park.TallahasseeWith access to world-class universities and plenty of job opportunities, Tallahassee is a great place to live and raise a family. The city is compact with manageable traffic and offers a variety of shopping options, including outlets like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Other cities to check out are Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.

Decide whether to buy or rent

A big decision when relocating is deciding whether to buy or rent a home. Buying gives you the stability and tax perks of owning a home, but renting can be more flexible, particularly if you have school-aged children who attend different schools throughout the year.

When you buy a home in Florida, you will typically enjoy more tax breaks and deductions than if you rent. Even so, you need to factor in the cost of property taxes, which can be up to 8% of the price of the home.

If you decide to rent, be sure to explore all your leasing options. Also, remember to factor in the cost of utilities, parking, security deposits, and possible repairs or replacements that may be necessary over time. Rental properties in major cities in Florida like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville can come in all shapes and sizes, from apartments to houses, condos, and land plots.

Educate yourself about Florida weather and hurricanes

Florida weather can be tricky to predict, especially during hurricane season. To help you deal with the unpredictable elements, follow these tips to stay safe:

Have a plan for dealing with Florida weather and hurricanes
Keep yourself informed about the weather conditions in your area and make sure your preparation includes enough supplies and shelter. Before you even leave your home state, be sure to consult with your insurance company about coverage in case of an event like a hurricane.

Learn about Florida's weather patterns
Familiarize yourself with your new location's typical temperatures, precipitation levels, and hurricane potential. This will give you an idea of what to expect while on the move, and help you make informed decisions about packing and planning.

Look for areas that are less susceptible to hurricanes
Jacksonville, Miami Beach, Tampa Bay, and Orlando are areas that have seen their fair share of major hurricanes in recent years.

Hire a professional mover

To make the move as smooth and stress-free as possible, enlist the help of a professional relocation mover. A professional will do all the heavy lifting for you, so you can spend your time packing and organizing instead of dealing with back-and-forth phone calls, long drives, and navigating tricky bureaucracies.

When choosing a mover, it is important to think about your specific needs and preferences. Do you want assistance packing and organizing your belongings? Do you need help transporting your furniture and large items? Do you want help loading and unloading the truck? All of these factors will play into what type of mover is best for you.

Welcome to Florida!

Whether you are moving to Florida for work, school, or just because life has brought you here, you need to plan accordingly to ensure your big move goes on as planned. We hope that this information will help make your transition as smooth as possible and that you'll end up loving living in sunny Florida!

Public meetings set to inform voters about UTD effort

HRDC is pleased to announce the Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) recently adopted a proclamation in support of the current petition drive to form an Urban Transportation District (UTD) in Gallatin County.

As stated in ASMSU’s September 2022 proclamation:

Resolved, ASMSU will make a public statement of support for the UTD, lend the logo for marketing purposes, advocate for petition gathering, and partner with the HRDC’s efforts to promote the inclusion of the UTD on May 2023’s special election ballot for the benefit of transportation planning to meet community growth

Resolved, ASMSU recognizes the importance of forming a UTD as a mechanism of continuing the current Streamline Bus Services for MSU Staff, Students, and Faculty, van services for seniors and people with disabilities, transportation planning for anticipated community growth, and the importance of public transportation access to general population.

Additionally, in an ongoing effort to inform residents about the petition drive to vote on the formation of an Urban Transportation District on the Special District elections in May 2023, as well as the benefits to the community in doing so, HRDC is hosting two public meetings during the first week of October. HRDC and community public transportation advocates will present information and host Q&A sessions on Tuesday, October 4th from 10:30 – 11:30 am in the Bozeman Senior Center Community Room, Friday, October 7th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the Belgrade Senior Center, and on Wednesday, October 12th from 11:30 – 1:00 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn (prior registration required through Bozeman Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, a virtual public meeting will be held on Thursday, October 13th at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom. The meeting can be accessed at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87800378855.

Creating a UTD will ensure that our community will continue to receive federal transportation funding and will sustain the vital service HRDC’s Streamline provides to Gallatin Valley residents and visitors. Forming a UTD requires collecting the signatures of 20% of registered voters living within the proposed district which equates to around 13,000 signatures. If sufficient signatures are collected and verified, the Gallatin County Commission will hold a public hearing and place the UTD on the May 2023 Special District election ballot for voter approval as required by law.

The proposed UTD includes Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners and is based on Streamline’s current and projected future service areas. Other regions identified in Gallatin County’s Transportation Development Plan as “future need areas” also are included in the boundaries.

A steering committee of community public transportation stakeholders and advocates is working with HRDC on the petition drive.

HRDC is a private, not-for-profit Community Action Agency focused on building a better community through nearly 50 different initiatives aimed at combating poverty in southwestern Montana. Streamline is a program of HRDC with a proven track record of benefiting all area residents through the provision of public transit. Streamline promotes equity, fosters economic development, and advances sustainability goals.

More information about the petition drive can be found at HRDC’s Streamline can be found at https://streamlinebus.com/utd/
Donors, volunteers, and community members can learn more about HRDC at https://thehrdc.org/

BOZEMAN — A program at Montana State University that researches and develops foundation seed varieties for the state’s agricultural producers has a new name.

An extension of the crop breeding programs in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, the Montana Foundation Seed Program’s name is now officially the Montana State University Foundation Seed Program. The name change was approved unanimously at MSU’s September University Council meeting.

Sreekala Bajwa, vice president of agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture, said the name change accurately reflects the high-quality research conducted by Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, or MAES, plant breeding programs to create new crop varieties.

“This new name gives Montana State University better recognition and ownership of the research we conduct and the public varieties we produce for crop producers across the state,” Bajwa said. “Our new crop varieties are the result of scientific research conducted by MAES scientists and tested across the state to ensure they are best suited to address production challenges in Montana, from pests to drought and more.”

Foundation seed, also known as basic seed, is the direct descendent of breeder seed and is produced under conditions that ensure its genetic purity and identity. The MSU Foundation Seed Program provides foundation seed to statewide producer partners, primarily winter and spring wheat, barley, durum, peas, lentils and chickpeas, with contributions also in safflower, alfalfa, sainfoin, triticale and oats. 

According to Doug Holen, MSU Foundation Seed Program manager, each new variety produces between 600 to 1,200 bushels of foundation seed to start and then is sold to seed producers to sell to Montana producers. The more popular MSU wheat varieties, such as Yellowstone, Warhorse and Vida, produce millions of dollars in revenue via increased yield for the Montana agricultural economy.

Seed varieties are developed based on the needs of Montana growers facing climate, pest and soil challenges in the diverse agroecosystems of the state. The plant breeding programs are supported by MAES and by grower organizations such as the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. The university responds with varieties specifically bred and adapted to meet these challenges, initially released as MAES varieties in the foundation stage of production. The MSU Foundation Seed Program has been in existence helping producers for nine decades and has had six program managers in that span of time. Holen has been with the program since 2016.

“This program is only as good as our breeders, and MSU has had incredible ones over the years,” Holen said. He added that the name change is long overdue and gives credit back to the breeders and the research they create at MSU. “This seed goes across Montana and is sold in other states. So, when it shows up at a producer’s doorstep and says MSU Foundation Seed Program, they will know it is quality seed from our institution.”

For more information visit plantsciences.montana.edu/foundationseed/.