On average, the Montana growing season lasts a short 95 days. While some Specialty Crop growers make the most of that short season to supply their local markets, others have found ways to extend it with the utilization of greenhouses and enclosed hydroponic setups, and other specialized systems and techniques.
The Race to Harvest
With such a limited growing season, the race towards a successful harvest starts before plants are even in the ground. Producers start by selecting seeds that are frost hardy, or have a short amount of “Days to Maturity” (the average number of days from planting until the plant’s produce is ready to be harvested). The selected varieties are planted early indoors, then transplanted after the danger of damage from frost or cold temperatures has passed. Some producers go as far as to “push the limits” of their cold-hardy plants, harvesting seed from the most resilient plants for the next season, so the future plants are even stronger.
(Click here to learn how to select your own cold hardy seed varieties)
A Team Effort
Another way specialty crop producers get ahead of the growing season game is by offering CSAs. CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) are a subscription-style method of pre-selling produce. Farmers sell a certain number of “boxes” or “shares” to the public before the season begins, and the purchasers receive a box of seasonal produce, usually each week, throughout the farming season. This method of selling shares before the season begins gives the farmers early-season cash flow (to pay for seeds, employees and other expenses before food is ready to harvest), and allows the purchaser to share in the risk of the farm’s success that season, get to know where their food is coming from, and many other benefits.
The producers below have combined these strategies in various ways to ensure that Montanans get the most delicious locally grown veggies they can.
Hoot Owl Farm – Libby, MT
Hoot Owl Farm is a certified organic operation growing a diverse mix of produce. They market the produce through a CSA program at local farmers’ markets and special events, and provide products to several local restaurants and stores.
Winter Kissed Farm – Stevensville, MT
Winter Kissed Farm is a small, diversified vegetable farm with year-round growing capabilities. They are a CSA-based farm, offering winter and spring CSA shares and an online store for à la carte shopping.
Yellowstone Valley Farms – Laurel, MT
Yellowstone Valley Farms is a family-run operation growing basil and mint for local restaurants and grocery stores. They sell wholesale to Sysco and Food Service of America, but offer their products locally through a farm stand, as well.
Agritourism
Alongside growing crops, producers across the state are promoting and educating the public about Montana’s vast agriculture through agritourism. Here in Montana, agritourism is defined as a commercial enterprise that combines agricultural production and tourism to attract visitors to farms and ranches by offering authentic experiences (like tours, events, or direct sales) that strengthen rural economies and celebrate our spirit of place.
To learn more about agritourism, visit montanaagritourism.com or plan to attend the upcoming Agritourism Conference taking place November 20-21, 2025 in Bozeman!
Hear from a specialty crop producer who has been passionate about farming and agritourism to educate his community about what is grown so close to home.
Bodhi Farms – Bozeman, MT
Bodhi Farms, owned by Rayner and Tanya Smith, is a boutique eco-resort that takes pride in its farm-to-table restaurant that uses vegetables grown from their garden and from other surrounding farmers. They offer agritourism activities to educate guests on the sustainability and importance of Montana agriculture.
There’s more to Montana’s agriculture industry than meets the eye! Learn more about Specialty Crop growers in our previous blogs, “Cherried Treasure: Montana’s Wealth of Fruit Growers“, and “More Than Meets The Eye: Montana’s Specialty Crop Producers“.
Funding for this article was made possible by a grant agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
