A local food adventure through the Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead, and Mission Valleys
Farm Connect Montana is happy to announce the launch of the Western Montana Food & Farm Trail!
Created in partnership with Abundant Montana, Land to Hand Montana, and the O’Hara Commons & Sustainability Center, the Western Montana Food & Farm Trail is an interactive, self-guided local food adventure designed to help visitors and locals explore the farms, flavors, and people that make Western Montana unique.
Western Montana has a rich agricultural heritage and a long history of food production. In the 1950s, more than 70% of the food consumed in the region came from farms and ranches in Montana’s own valleys. Today, that number is estimated to be less than 3%.
In response to this growing disconnect between food producers and consumers, Farm Connect Montana was founded in 2005 to help strengthen those connections and support the development of a resilient regional food economy.
“Over the past 20 years, it’s been encouraging to see a resurgence of small-scale farming and a growing interest in supporting local food,” says Bonnie Buckingham, Farm Connect Montana’s Executive Director. “More farms are selling directly to consumers through farmers’ markets, farm stands, and CSAs, and more people are seeking meaningful connections to the land, the people who grow their food, and the communities that sustain them.”
Building on this momentum, Farm Connect Montana launched the Western Montana Food & Farm Trail, creating a new way for people to explore, engage with, and support the local food community.
Running June 1 through October 31, the Trail spans more than 200 miles and features more than 100 farms, ranches, farmers’ markets, restaurants, breweries, and food businesses across the Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead, and Mission Valleys. Along the way, participants can explore everything from farm stands and u-pick experiences to local breweries, restaurants, markets, and hidden-gem food stops while meeting the growers and makers behind them.
At the center of the experience is the passport-style Trail Field Guide, illustrated by Missoula-based artist Courtney Blazon. The guide features illustrated maps, curated itineraries, seasonal highlights, special offers from participating farms and businesses, and more than 100 local food destinations throughout the region.
Participants can collect stamps at Trail stops throughout the season to qualify for prizes and giveaways—or simply as a fun way to document their journey. End-of-season prizes include raffles for three CSA memberships (Winter Kissed, Western Montana Growers Coop, and O’Hara Commons), along with local food gift certificates, product bundles, and a Courtney Blazon-designed market tote.
To celebrate the launch, the Trail will kick off with regional launch parties in Missoula, the Bitterroot Valley, and the Flathead Valley throughout early June, featuring Field Guide distribution, local food vendors, giveaways, and opportunities to learn more about the Trail.
Trail Field Guides are $10 and available for purchase online and at participating businesses, farmers’ markets, and community locations throughout the region. A full list of Field Guide locations, Trail stops, events, and the digital Trail map can be found on the Trail hub at farmconnectmontana.org/trail.
“Whether you’re a longtime supporter of local food or simply looking for a new way to explore Western Montana, we hope you’ll join us on the Trail,” says Bonnie. “Visit a farm you’ve never been to, discover a new favorite market or restaurant, meet the people behind your food, and experience the incredible abundance that exists throughout our region. Along the way, you’ll be supporting local farmers and food businesses while celebrating the landscapes, flavors, and communities that make Western Montana such a special place to call home.”
Founded in 2005, Farm Connect Montana (formerly CFAC) works to grow a healthy local food community by conserving farmland, supporting farmers, and making food accessible for all. Through beginning farmer and rancher support initiatives, food access programs, farmland conservation efforts, and community engagement around local food, Farm Connect helps strengthen connections between producers and consumers while supporting a resilient local food system across Montana.