According to Montana State University Extension, an important goal for many Montana family farm and ranch enterprises is to transfer land and businesses to the next generation, but the process can be challenging.

According to Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist, some families may avoid the process completely because of its economic, legal and family decision complexities. Others may start the process but abandon it to avoid conflicts that can arise from differences in goals, values and perceptions of fairness among family members.

The MSU Extension MontGuide “Transferring Your Farm/Ranch to the Next Generation” has worksheets and information for each member of a family to help focus their thoughts and feelings about succession planning issues.

Because of the strong bonds inherent with the heritage and lifestyles, generation transfers are more frequent in agriculture than any other business, Goetting said. Unresolved conflicts can have major impacts on the long-term success and viability of the operation as well as the transfer plan itself.

Goetting said the first question families should address in this process is whether the business is profitable enough to transfer to the next generation. Because emotions can get involved, families may need to consult with an accountant or farm management consultant to assist in this evaluation.

“During my estate planning meetings across Montana before COVID-19, members of the younger generations found it difficult to initiate a discussion about the farm and ranch transfer and succession processes,” Goetting said. “They fear older generations may perceive them as being overly interested in their inheritances. On the other hand, when members of the older generations bring up the topic, younger generations may not be responsive. They do not want to think about their grandparents or parents dying.”

Families who have been through the transfer and succession planning process suggest starting at an individual level, Goetting said. Then, families should discuss issues in a larger group. For example, if a father feels it important for the farm or ranch to remain in the family’s possession but his wife is ambivalent, they need to come to an agreement before they begin succession planning with their children. Afterward the two generations can meet to share thoughts on the process.

Reaching a family agreement about goals before a business discussion helps negotiations run smoothly, Goetting added. While there still may be times of tension or conflict about values and roles in the family business, communication is key in keeping the process moving.

“Preparing farm and ranch family business members for transfer and succession planning is a part of the older generation’s responsibility to the younger generation,” Goetting said. “The legal and economic aspects of the transfer plan are important. Connectedness among the family business members and the working out of future management strategies, or succession planning, is also absolutely critical to the success of any transfer plan.”

“Transferring Your Farm/Ranch to the Next Generation” can be found at http://msuextension.org/publications/FamilyFinancialManagement/EB0149.pdf. Printed copies are available from county or reservation Extension offices or by contacting Goetting at Montana State University, P.O. Box 172800, Bozeman, MT 59717.

[BIG SKY, MT, Nov 6, 2020]—The Big Sky Skating & Hockey Association (BSSHA) and Big Sky Community Organization (BSCO) have announced the schedule and programming for the ice rink this winter. The rink will be open from December 1 - March 21, 2021 with a variety of programs for kids and adults. The rink will be located in the same area as in the past, but access will now be through the north side while construction continues on BASE. Parking will be in the lot behind the Lone Peak Movie Theater.  

Schedule

Monday
12pm - 5:00pm Open Skating
5:30pm - 7:00pm Kids Hockey Clinic (12/7 - 3/18)
7:00pm - 11:00pm Open Skate

Tuesday
12:00pm - 5:00pm Open Skate
5:30pm - 9:00pm 3 on 3 Hockey League (12/8 - 3/9)
9:00pm - 11:00pm Open Skate

Wednesday
12:00pm - 5:00pm Open Skate
5:30pm - 6:30pm Kids Hockey Clinic (12/9 - 3/17)
6:30pm - 11:00pm Open Skate

Thursday
12:00pm - 5:00pm Open Skate
5:30pm - 7:00pm Kids Hockey Clinic (12/7 - 3/18)
7:30pm - 9:00pm Drop in Hockey
9:00pm - 11:00pm Open Skate

Friday
12:00pm - 4:00pm Open Skate
5:30pm - 11:00pm Curling (1/8 – 3/20)

Saturday
12:00pm - 11:00pm Open Skating

Sunday
12:00pm - 5:30pm Open Skating
6:00pm - 9:30 pm Broomball (12/13 - 3/21)

Get Your Team Together
Anyone interested in the kids hockey league, or getting a team together for the 3 on 3 hockey, curling or broomball leagues, please email bigskyice@gmail.com  Spots are filling up, act soon.
 
Support BSSHA
Interested in supporting the ice rink and wide array of programming BSSHA provides for youth and adults in Big Sky? Board sponsorships are currently available for $500 for the season. November 15th is the last day to purchase a board and show your company or family’s support for the rink. There is also a big need for volunteers to help set the rink up for the season. On Nov. 14th & 15th, parents, players, those who enjoy skating and anyone who would like to volunteer is asked to meet at the rink at 9am. To sign up to volunteer or to sponsor a board, please email bigskyice@gmail.com. 

About the Big Sky Skating & Hockey Association
Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association is a Montana non-profit corporation in Big Sky, MT dedicated to bringing hockey, ice skating, and programs to the Big Sky community. The Big Sky Ice Rink is located outdoors in the Town Center.

About the Big Sky Community Organization
For more than 20 years, the Big Sky Community Organization has been serving Big Sky by creating exceptional facilities, trails, public spaces and experiences through community collaborations and recreational opportunities. Its mission—to engage and lead people to recreational and enrichment opportunities through thoughtful development of partnerships, programs and places—has come to fruition through multiple successful initiatives including: the successful fundraising campaign to create BASE, a place for all of Big Sky; Ousel Falls Open Space Park & Trailhead; Big Sky Community Park; Camp Big Sky and more. Each project started as an idea, realized through community leadership, collaboration and philanthropy. To learn more about BSCO and how you can get involved, please visit bscomt.org.

Montana State University has received nearly $300,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a study that aims to help reduce food waste and divert it from landfills.

With the funds, MSU researchers will partner with the city of Bozeman to study household food waste and explore the potential to use anaerobic digestion for processing household food waste in the city, applying a decentralized approach to organic waste management. Anaerobic digestion is a process through which microorganisms break down organic materials, such as food scraps, without oxygen. The process produces biogas, which can be captured and used for energy production, and digestate, a nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Roland Ebel, the grant’s project director and a postdoctoral research associate in MSU’s sustainable food and bioenergy systems program, said the process involves putting accumulated food scraps in a prepared, airtight container. Specific bacteria, called inoculants, then transform the scraps into a nutrient-dense biofertilizer over a period of about four to six weeks.

“We are excited about this community-centered project,” Ebel said. “Anaerobic digestion of household food scraps is an efficient and sustainable approach for recycling organic waste for cities where no municipal organic waste management is available. We see the potential for expanding this model to other cities and states. However, first we have to make this work in our pilot study.”

Roland said anaerobic digestion sounds similar to composting, but there are important differences. Composting is an excellent way of recycling organic waste such as lawn clippings, he said, but it requires more space and isn’t as efficient for processing energy- and nutrient-dense food residues. Also, not every household has a garden available for composting. Finally, anaerobic digestion generates two products, biogas and a fertilizer, while composting only produces one.

The MSU project will focus on studying the effectiveness and usability of two different anaerobic digesters in 12 Bozeman households to break down food waste into biofertilizer. During the two-year study that is expected to begin in January 2021, MSU researchers, in cooperation with the city of Bozeman, will analyze the food waste generated by the households, develop mixes of food waste that can be anaerobically digested and assess the two types of containers to learn their effectiveness and household usability. After the study, researchers and students will produce outreach materials and conduct a workshop on expanding anaerobic digestion to more households.

In addition to Ebel, members of the MSU research team include Selena Ahmed, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Development; Jed Eberly, assistant professor with MSU’s Central Agricultural Research Center; Irene Grimberg,

research associate professor and deputy coordinator for the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program; Fabian Menalled, professor in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; and Tim Seipel, assistant research professor in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences. Ebel said there would also be one graduate student and two undergraduate students participating.

“This is an exciting project for MSU in that it advances researcher and student interest in diverting food waste from landfills while also exemplifying our land-grant mission of integrating research, teaching and service to communities,” said Alison Harmon, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Development, which houses the university’s sustainable food and bioenergy systems program along with the College of Agriculture.

Montana State was one of 12 organizations to receive a total of $3 million in funding from the EPA for anaerobic digestion projects across the country. The EPA notes that anaerobic digestion is preferable to landfilling and incineration because it reclaims valuable resources and can save money and reduce environmental impacts.

“At EPA, we think about the entire life cycle of materials, not just what to do with them at the end of life,” Greg Sopkin, the EPA regional administrator, said in a statement. “MSU’s project has great potential to feed soils and conserve moisture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce food waste — all while working with and customizing solutions for the community.”

The anaerobic digestion funding opportunity is a part of EPA’s efforts and contributions to the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative, a partnership among EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce food loss and waste through individual and combined federal action.

More information on anaerobic digestion is available at https://www.epa.gov/anaerobic-digestion.

If you live somewhere more northerly and you experience cold, snowy winters each year, then you know how important it is to have a good winter jacket. And if you're a particularly outdoorsy individual, no doubt you'll need a jacket that can handle the challenges of intense outdoor winter activity. Today, we want to give you a few tips to help to figure out exactly what kind of jacket you'll need to help you get through the winter comfortably.

1. Choose the Type of Jacket for Your Needs

In general, there are three basic types of winter jackets that are available. Each type is designed to be suitable for certain conditions and certain activities, so make sure that whatever jacket you buy is going to work in the conditions you intend to wear it in. You wouldn't want to bring a casual parka on a winter camping expedition, for example. With that in mind, let's go over the three different types of winter jackets and see how they differ.

Technical Jackets
If you're looking for a jacket that's best suited for outdoor winter activities, then a technical jacket is best for you. Technical jackets are lightweight and designed to be much less bulky when compared to more standard winter jackets. Because technical jackets aren't very bulky, they allow you to move freely in them, unlike some heavily stuffed jackets that can potentially restrict your movement. This makes them excellent for activities like cross-country skiing, mountaineering, and rock/ice climbing. Technical jackets also tend to have features that make them more versatile for people who love getting out in the great outdoors during the cold times of the year. Some technical jackets come with pit zips, giving your body a little bit of extra airflow without making you too cold, or hoods designed to fit over climbing helmets.

Casual Jackets and Parkas
Casual winter jackets don't need to compromise on comfort or warmth in favor of size since they're just meant to be worn around town during regular day-to-day activity. It means that if you're just looking for something that's as warm as possible, then a casual jacket is probably your best option. Casual jackets and parkas are also designed more with style in mind, so you'll find these jackets in a range of styles. These jackets will also have features designed to help you keep warm and comfortable even in bad conditions, like oversized hoods and pockets for warming your hands in. You can find casual jackets in styles for both men and women, and there are plenty of options for each.

Do-It-All Jackets
If you want a jacket versatile enough to be decent in any situation, then you've still got a lot of options. There are plenty of jackets out there that look nice enough to wear around town but are also practical and functional enough for a variety of outdoor activities. Some jackets in this category come in two separate pieces that you can wear in layers or individually. These usually come with a puffy inner jacket and a rain-proof windbreaker. Combining the two gives you a solid all-around winter jacket, and the two individual jackets are suitable for a variety of milder weather conditions.

2. Consider Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

Down insulation works best in dry environments. The main drawback of down insulation is that if it gets wet, it loses most of its insulating capabilities, and down jackets also tend to be a bit more expensive than jackets with synthetic insulation. The upside, however, is that down is pretty lightweight and can be easily compressed, making it easier to fold up and store a down jacket. Jackets using synthetic insulation are bulkier in comparison, but they have the advantage of being much more effective in damp conditions.

3. Look for Solid Weatherproofing

No matter what type of winter jacket you get, it has to be able to hold up to the elements. To that end, you should look for a jacket with an outer shell that has been weatherproofed. You'll want to look for something with a GORE-TEX shell if you live in an area that is milder in the winter. If you live in a colder area where the winters aren't as moist, then a jacket with a more standard DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating will probably be fine.

4. The More Pockets, The Better

Having a jacket with plenty of pockets is always essential. A good winter jacket can help you keep any essentials you need within easy reach. Lots of winter jackets also have pockets on the interior to help you keep particularly important items like your phone or wallet extra secure. Technical jackets may also have pockets that are placed to make them as easy as possible to reach. A good technical jacket will also have plenty of pocket space so you can keep a lot of useful gear right at hand. 

You're All Set for Winter!

Having the right jacket for your needs is one of the most important things when it comes to making it through the winter safely and comfortably. Now that you have these tips, you should be ready to choose the perfect jacket for you.      

The second weekend of Montana’s general deer and elk hunt in southwest Montana saw lower-than-average hunter participation for the same weekend in previous years, but hunter success was at or above average.

Wildlife biologists with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks operated three check stations Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, observing a total of 709 hunters. Biologists use check stations to collect data on hunter participation and success, as well as the species, sex and age class of the animals harvested. This supplements data collected through hunter harvest phone surveys.

The three check stations — at Cameron, Divide and Mill Creek — each saw an increase in hunter numbers from the previous weekend, but a decrease from the same weekend in 2019. At Cameron, hunter success was 11.8 percent, which was within the long-term average for the same weekend in previous years. The Divide check station saw a hunter success rate of 9.2 percent, which was 6 percent greater than the long-term average. Hunter success at Mill Creek was 7.4 percent, which is about 80 percent greater than the long-term average.

In total this past weekend, biologists checked 43 elk, 10 mule deer and 12 white-tailed deer.

These figures do not account for different hunting season regulations over the years, which have varied from liberal to restrictive for elk and mule deer, depending on population status.

Going out at night gets a lot harder when you’re older. As you age, you get more cautious, which is a good thing! After all, you don’t want to find yourself in an accident where you have to hire an attorney to help you with a personal injury. In addition, you likely have responsibilities that you have to keep in mind, which means returning home sooner than you would have in your early 20s.

For many of us, that also means figuring out how to enjoy a night out on the town when you have kids at home.

Don’t give up date night or a night with your girlfriends just because you have kids! There are things you can do to make it easier to leave the kids at home so you can have a good time getting out of the house.

Get a Sitter You Trust
If you want to go out, you have to find someone else who is willing to watch your kids. Unfortunately, that’s a lot easier said than done for many families.

Not everyone has friends or family they can fall back on. Even if you do, you may not trust grandma to watch after your little ones. If grandma is willing to watch the kids for free, but you’re worried about the care your kids are receiving while she’s there, you won’t have a good time.

Even if it costs money and takes time, it’s important to find a good babysitter that you trust. If you find a competent sitter, you can feel good that your children are in good hands so you can truly relax.

Make It Sound Exciting to the Kids
You’re probably looking forward to getting out with friends or a spouse, but you’re sad about leaving your kids at home. Although it’s true that your kids might be stressed when you first leave, it’s also true that they can have a great time too!

Make having a babysitter sound fun to the kids. That means helping the sitter come up with fun games and activities to do with the kids while you’re gone. A few ideas include:

• Buy a new board game
• Get out the arts and crafts
• Have them make a homemade pizza
• Prep an outdoor scavenger hunt in the dark

Make a Plan for Drinks
Having a few drinks isn’t something you get to do very often when you’re hanging out with the kids, but it’s something you can do when you go out at night! Just make sure you have a plan in place for drinks.

If you are driving home at the end of the evening, make sure you know how much you can drink to drive home safely. If you aren’t going to be the one driving, you should still have a plan for how much you’re going to drink if you’re returning home at the end of the evening. That way, you aren’t taking care of the kids the next day while you’re hung over!

Say Goodbye to the Kids
Although you may be tempted to sneak out when it’s finally time to go, it’s important that you say goodbye to your children. It’s an important lesson for them to learn that their parent will have to leave sometimes, but you will always come back.

It’s also good to model positive social behaviors for your children. You deserve to have a life with friends and loved ones outside of your immediate family unit, and it’s important that your kids see that.

Don’t Hesitate to Check In
You may think that checking in will make it more difficult for you to have a great time. That could be true. If you’re going out, you should spend less time worrying about what’s happening at home and more time enjoying yourself.

However, if you’re feeling anxious about how things are going at home, you probably aren’t going to be able to relax until you check in. Give a quick call or send a text message if you feel like you need to. Just try not to spend your entire evening checking in every few minutes. Otherwise, you might as well have stayed home!

Don’t put off going out at night and enjoying yourself for years because you’ve got kids at home. There are ways you can leave the kinds behind with a sitter and feel good about it so you can make great memories with adult friends and loved ones.

BELGRADE, Montana (November 2, 2020) – Commuting on Jackrabbit Lane is expected to become easier in the coming years. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) announced today that the Montana Transportation Commission recently approved a change in scope for the Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project. This change will add an underpass on Jackrabbit Lane at the railroad crossing near Main Street. Once built, vehicles will be able to pass beneath the train tracks, limiting congestion.

The next step involves assigning the project design to a consultant in order to develop engineering plans for the revised project. MDT anticipates selecting a consultant engineering firm in the coming months.
 
“MDT has heard so much great feedback from this region about pedestrian access, area development, and more vehicles than ever utilizing this major thoroughfare,” William Fogarty, Butte District Administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation, said. “Providing a separated crossing beneath the railroad tracks came up frequently during those conversations. We did not want to jump ahead of ourselves without understanding the risks associated with adding a railroad underpass and having full approval. Now that we have that, we couldn’t be more excited to see this happen.”

 
The original Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project called for expanding Jackrabbit Lane to a five-lane roadway, from Madison Avenue to Main Street, which is still included in the plans. This project was expected to undergo construction around 2023, but with the addition of the railroad underpass, work has been delayed in order to complete the comprehensive design process and identify funding sources. Based on these factors, construction could be considered as soon as 2026 however, funding and the development schedule will ultimately dictate when construction begins. 

 
With the addition of the underpass, the Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project is estimated to cost as much as $25 million. MDT will work closely with multiple partners in order to identify available funding. The vast majority (80 to 90 percent) is expected to come from federal dollars.
 
“Incorporating community feedback involves balancing needs with funding,” Fogarty said. “We’re looking forward to more conversations with residents and project stakeholders as the project moves forward.”
 
To stay up to date on Jackrabbit – Madison to Main, call the Montana Department of Transportation hotline at 406-207-4484 or contact Takami Clark at takami@bigskypublicrelations.com. Learn more online at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/jackrabbit/default.shtml.
 
Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. Persons who need an alternative format should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.

This year has been one like no other. As early as February, much of the U.S. started bracing for the arrival of COVID-19. It wasn’t long before it was here in full swing, leading to shutdowns and other unheard-of measures before the pandemic.

Following that, there have been a number of situations throughout the country that have led to civil unrest. Most recently was Philadelphia, but the upcoming presidential election also has many concerned that we could see more unrest.

So what can you do to protect your family and prepare for civil unrest? You may be especially worried if you live in a big urban area.

The following are some ways to prepare your family for emergencies of this type.

Decide If You’ll Stay Put
If you live in a suburban or rural area, you might not be overly concerned about the immediate threat of civil unrest. You could see protests or face some inconveniences if this is going on in a part of your city, but it’s unlikely to happen in more suburban areas.

If you live in a big city, you might want to create an emergency plan that gives you somewhere to go with your family if you’re nervous about the direction things are heading.

Be aware that civil unrest tends to spike in central locations that make it easy for people to come together.

If you’re staying home and you’re concerned, ensure that all of your entry points are secure. There’s just a level of uncertainty that you have to consider in these situations.

If you live in an apartment, you might just have one entryway you need to secure. If you live in a single-family home but it’s near a central area, you might want to secure all points of entry and perhaps even board up. It really just depends on your location and what the expectations are.

Get Supplies
You should have an emergency kit with supplies not just in the event of civil unrest but also if there’s a weather situation or if we have another major spike in COVID cases. We all remember the anxiety bare shelves were creating back in March, so if you have some staples on hand you can avoid this.

Aim to have at least a two-week stash of food, water, and medical supplies.

What’s good about stocking up on supplies is that it can also help you feel more in control of the situation and less panicked.

If you live somewhere that a situation is particularly risky or heated, you might plan to stay home and have enough supplies for as long as a month of sheltering in place. Of course, this is a worst-case scenario, but preparing for worse cases is what emergency planning is all about.

Car Supplies
If you have a car and you think you might at some point head of out of town, have at least a half tank of gas at all times. You might want an extra stash of gas because often, if situations are stressful, many people are heading out of town all at once, and they may be waiting in line for gas.

You should have an emergency kit in your car with non-perishable food, water, and some basic tools in case you experience car trouble.

Have a Plan If You Aren’t with Your Family and Something Breaks Out
By and large, we do have a pretty good idea of when situations will arise that would be considered civil unrest. Most of these situations occur in response to certain events and often are in the night hours.
However, if something happens and your children are in school, for example, you should have a plan for what you’ll do. Ask your child’s school what their emergency plans are as well. It’s good to know what school protocols are not just from a civil unrest standpoint but in case of any other scenario.

Finally, if you’re ever in a situation where you’re directly in harm’s way—for example, close to where you live is being overtaken by a mob—it’s important to try and find a safe spot. Don’t get accidentally involved in the mob, and don’t try to defend your home if it looks like an impossible situation. Safety is the priority.

Unfortunately, we’ve all had to endure so many challenging situations this year, but preparing your family for a broad set of possible emergencies is important. Again, preparing for emergencies isn’t just for civil unrest. There are natural disasters, fires, and a host of other situations that you should also prepare for.