KALISPELL — A small Flathead Valley farm is promoting the importance of local produce.
First-generation farmers, Cassady Daley and Nathan Christianson are the owners and operators of Ravenridge Farm in Kalispell.
Daley says that they've been farming local and fresh produce for the past three years.
"The owner of this farm was kinda on her way out, and so we managed the farm the next season, bought the business and two years after that we bought the land," said Daley.
The farm grows over 40 kinds of vegetables and Christianson, a Texas native, explained how important it is for our community to promote local produce.
"Communities now all across the country and across the world are not necessarily that unified when it comes to food," explained Christianson. "People are living their lives doing whatever they're doing. And so here in Montana to have people who care about having a resilient food economy and being more self-sustaining, especially living somewhere as remote as we do. I think it's really important,” he added.
But Christianson says farming in Northwest Montana isn't always easy as the cold and sometimes extreme weather poses challenges.
"The season is so short. Farmers are trying to make their living in the summer months. So, most of our income happens between May and November," said Christianson. "Whereas in warmer climates and different parts of the country they can essentially spread out their season."
But Daley says, she enjoys every aspect of being hands-on, on the farm. "I just kinda like being outside and the challenges that come with it," said Daley.
Christianson is one of many speakers at the Free the Seeds event where you can learn more about sustainability and how to raise seedlings. The free event gets underway at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Flathead Valley Community College.
Click here for more information.
