Growing Together Montana

Published: 2022
By Hillary Maxwell

Growing Together Montana (GTMT) is a collaboration between the MSU Extension Nutrition Education Program and the Master Gardener program that provides grants to active Master Gardener volunteers with a focus on growing and donating produce to local food banks and other emergency food resources. Master Gardeners also can work with SNAP-Ed instructors in their communities to provide nutrition education to the individuals and families that utilize the food banks. At Fort Belknap, SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Ramona King has partnered with Master Gardener Colette Werk for a second year of grant-funded growth in the Old Hays Community Garden. Partners and resources included Montana DNRC forester Josh Stoychoff, fruit trees; Montana Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative, seeds; Aaniiih Nakoda College USDA Extension, plants; and community members who donated irrigation water and mulch. A total of 204 volunteer hours were recorded, and 103 pounds of produce was donated to the local senior center for elders’ lunches.