In Montana, 1 out of 9 people (and 1 in 6 children) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to lead a healthy life, or don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. This lack of access can be financial or physical, for those who are in rural areas far from delivery routes. We know that food is essential for life and therefore essential for our communities to thrive. So how do we improve this access…for those who are in a tight financial position, or to support our local farmers & ranchers in order to build momentum for a more localized food system, and therefore more secure supply chains?

In this episode, we look at the full system of food security in Montana; from producer to consumer, hearing about the reality of the situation, pathways to improvement & engagement, and we hear about locally-guided entities across the state doing incredible work to improve food security in their community. Interviews feature the Child Nutrition Manager & Policy Director from the Montana Food Bank Network, and the Specialist for the Eastern Montana Food & Ag Development Center.

This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities.

LINKS:

Featured:

Montana Food Bank Network - find your local food bank on their map

MT Food Bank Network Backpack Program

MT Food Bank Network School Pantry Program

Great Northern Development Corporation

Eastern Montana Food and Ag Development Center

Headwaters Foundation (episode sponsors and supporters of food security efforts in Western Montana)

Some Food Pantries & Access Resources:

Helping Hands - Hardin, MT

Missoula Food Bank

Mobile Market, for Missoula area Seniors, Garden City Harvest

Billings Food Bank

Flathead Food Bank - Kalispell, MT

Livingston Food Resource Center

Hunters Against Hunger, MFBN Program 

Montana Veterans Meat Locker

The Producer Partnership

Custer County Food Bank - Miles City, MT

Havre Food Bank

SW Montana Veterans Food Pantry 

SNAP in Montana

WIC in MT - Women, Infants, & Children - food support

Summer EBT, Sun Bucks, Information

Families: text “FOOD” to 304-304 to see nearby summer meal locations or visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals 

Native-led Food Sovereignty Programs:

FAST Blackfeet

People’s Food Sovereignty Program - CSKT

People's Food Sovereignty Program - Stories for Action podcast episode

Joe & Kathy Kipp of Blackfeet Nation - Stories for Action podcast episode

Rocky Boy Sustainability & Food Sovereignty Program

Woicago Tipi Cooperative Farm - Fort Peck

Yellow Bird Life Ways Center - Northern Cheyenne

Day Eagle Hope Project - Fort Belknap

All Nations Health Center - Missoula 

Resources for Food Producers: 

MT Food & Ag Development Centers

Montana Cooperative Development Center

MT Department of Agriculture

Grow Through Agriculture grant

Business Enhancement Program (food/ag)

Business Acceleration & Marketing grant (food/ag)

Value Added Producer grant

Food Hubs & Localizing MT Food Systems:

Abundant Montana - connect producers and customers to local food sources

Hopa Mountain

Farm Connect MT (Formerly CFAC)

Trust Montana - community land trusts

Western Montana Growers Co-op

Montana Food Hub - Great Falls & North Central MT

Rolling Plains Co-op - Northeast Montana

Yellowstone Valley Food Hub

Old Salt Co-op

Montana Cooperative Development Center

The Farm Bill

USDA funding for localized food: announced Fall 2024

Find your Montana Legislators 

Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.

#storiesforaction #food #local #localfood #foodsecurity #foodinsecurity #montana #406 #montanafarm #montanaranch #snap #foodbank #montanafoodbank #hungry #foodaccess #community #communitydevelopment #rural #farmersmarket #housing

In the past 5 years, Montana's average home price has gone up 71%, while the average income has only increased 25%. The lack of housing, and that which is attainable for working class residents, is creating a crisis for residents, employers, local economies, public health, community well-being...everything. In this episode, we hear from seven people all working in different areas of this topic around Montana, and we aim to provide information and perspectives that encourage us to have more nuanced and proactive outlooks and responses to this topic. We also shine a light on creative actions taking place around the state, and share resources for folks feeling the pressures directly.

Of course the pressures of increased housing costs is something being felt around the country, and around the globe...so no matter where you call home, there is a wealth of information shared in this episode that can be applied to other regions. This episode is longer than most of ours, so of course feel free to listen in segments as you wish.

This episode was generously supported by Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. They say, "We believe that housing is part of the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future." Learn more at www.headwatersmt.org.

Thank you to Shauni Seccombe for research and editing support on this episode.

LINKS:

Shelter WF

Governor's Housing Task Force

Trust Montana

Stories for Action podcast featuring Trust Montana

North Missoula Community Development Corporation

HomeFront Billings

Bespoke of Montana

Habitat for Humanity chapters serving Montana

Beyond Building - regenerative design & education in Montana

Engage Whitefish

Montana Association of Counties, about growth policies 

State Grants for communities to adopt/update a Growth Policy

Montana Growth Policy Resource Book

NeighborWorks Montana

NeighborWorks Great Falls

Native Homeownership Coalition

Montana Native Growth Fund - financing

Great Northern Development Corporation

Action for Eastern Montana

MEIC - Montana Environmental Information Center

HRDC - Human Resource Development Center

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program

Montana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) Program

The Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs - rental assistance for low-income earners

MT Department of Commerce Housing Program

Resources for rental assistance & homeowner assistance from State

USDA Montana Board of Housing Loans

USDA Rural Development Report: Programs for Housing

Available Housing in Montana - Database for rental & homeownership

Strong Towns 

Confessions of a Recovering Engineer & related books

The Affordable City - book by Shane Phillips

Life in the Land - films & podcasts from Stories for Action, sharing stories from rural regions of Montana

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#housing #Montana #housingcrisis #affordablehousing #406 #sustainability #homeless #unhoused #economy #mortgage #housingpressures #rental #housingcrunch #community 

This is Part 2 of 2 of our episodes on the Mighty Few. We HIGHLY encourage you to first listen to Part 1, as it provides essential context. Part 2 expands on youth empowerment, connections to traditional cultures, and the approaches necessary to move this community development work forward in a good way.

Historically, and still today, the Mighty Few (a District of the Apsáalooke or Crow Nation in Southeast Montana) have proven their name through resourcefulness, determination, and strength in unity. Witness the process of this community strengthening their connection to identity, the land, and community togetherness. Through truly grassroots efforts, the Mighty Few are guiding action that creates necessary healing, economic opportunities, and self-determination to thrive into the future. We hope this episode can be used to support the work featured, as well as provide insight for other communities looking to create greater opportunities from within. 

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Mighty Few. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

Wyola Development Fund

Mighty Few Development Authority

Wyola Mighty Few Youth Group - FB Page

Intro to Crow Culture & History, via Little Big Horn College

Indigenous Collaboration, consulting service

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

This episode was produced by Lara Tomov & Stories for Action, Producer Lesley Kabotie, Narration & Contributing Writing by JoRee LaFrance, Contributing Writing by Marina Weatherly, Associate Producer Robyn Iron, Production Support in the field from Rachal Male Bear Stone. Gratitude to those who helped to make this production possible, and to the people and landscape of the Mighty Few and Crow Nation.

#CrowNation #mightyfew #crowtribe #Apsaalooke #wyola #CrowReservation #communitydevelopment #community #Montana #406 #public health #rural #ruraldevelopment #ruralcommunities #native #indigenous #indigenousleadership #nativeleadership #culture #nativelanguage #localleadership #local #thinklocal #indianrelay

Iikooshtaka’atbaatchaache, home of the Mighty Few. Historically, and still today, the Mighty Few (a District of the Apsáalooke or Crow Nation in Southeast Montana) have proven their name through resourcefulness, determination, and strength in unity. Witness the process of this community strengthening their connection to identity, the land, and community togetherness. Through truly grassroots efforts, the Mighty Few are guiding action that creates necessary healing, economic opportunities, and self-determination to thrive into the future. We hope this episode can be used to support the work featured, as well as provide insight for other communities looking to create greater opportunities from within. 

This is Part 1 of 2 of our episodes on the Mighty Few. Part 1 provides historical and cultural context of the people and place here, describes the specific community development projects, and discusses the value in creating a foundation of community connection and well-being. It also features an interview with Jamie Kirby, Program Director of the Montana Urban & Community Forestry Program.  

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Mighty Few. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

Wyola Development Fund

Mighty Few Development Authority

Wyola Mighty Few Youth Group - FB Page

DNRC's Urban & Community Forestry Program

Intro to Crow Culture & History, via Little Big Horn College

Indigenous Collaboration, consulting service

Western Native Voice

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

This episode was produced by Lara Tomov & Stories for Action, Producer Lesley Kabotie, Narration & Contributing Writing by JoRee LaFrance, Contributing Writing by Marina Weatherly, Associate Producer Robyn Iron, Production Support in the field from Rachal Male Bear Stone. Gratitude to those who helped to make this production possible, and to the people and landscape of the Mighty Few and Crow Nation.

#CrowNation #mightyfew #crowtribe #Apsaalooke #CrowReservation #communitydevelopment #community #Montana #rural #ruraldevelopment #ruralcommunities #native #indigenous #indigenousleadership #nativeleadership #localleadership #local #thinklocal #indianrelay

Along this stretch of the Upper Yellowstone River in Montana, various dynamics exist. Hear from a rancher, a river restoration professional, an outdoor recreation business owner, and a Traditional Ecological Knowledge educator who are all deeply connected to this river. Whether the challenge is drought, flood, impact from river recreation, development, or otherwise, witness how approaches that are guided by local communities and by the river itself can create greater resiliency for the people and place here.

This is Part 2 of 2 of our episodes on the Upper Yellowstone River, focusing on the impact from increased river recreation, a community-guided response to this pressure, and the impacts of land use changes, rural community disconnects, and the challenges and value in collaborative approaches.

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

The Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group

Montana Freshwater Partners

Project Indigenous

Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co.

Park County Environmental Council

Give Back to the Yellowstone Campaign

Wild Livelihoods Business Coalition

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#yellowstone #montana #rivers #upperyellowstone #paradisevalley #recreation #flyfishing #fishing #montanarivers #montanafishing #rafting #community #rural #watershedgroup #climatechange #wyoming #yellowstonenationalpark #nationalpark #bozeman #livingston

Along this stretch of the Upper Yellowstone River in Montana, various dynamics exist. Hear from a rancher, a river restoration professional, an outdoor recreation business owner, and a Traditional Ecological Knowledge educator who are all deeply connected to this river. Whether the challenge is drought, flood, impact from river recreation, development, or otherwise, witness how approaches that are guided by local communities and by the river itself can create greater resiliency for the people and place here.

This is Part 1 of 2 of our episodes on the Upper Yellowstone River, focusing on the historic floods in 2022, the aftermath, and looking forward for resiliency for people and place.

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

The Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group

Montana Freshwater Partners

Project Indigenous

Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co.

Park County Environmental Council

Give Back to the Yellowstone Campaign

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#yellowstone #montana #rivers #upperyellowstone #paradisevalley #flooding #climatechange #rural #montanarivers #flyfishing #yellowstonenationalpark #river #bozeman #livingston

Wildlife and humans have a need to move across the landscape. But our modern modes of travel have put those necessary pathways at odds with one another. Our highways create barriers for animals to carry out the daily movements and seasonal migrations that are necessary for their survival. For people, crossing paths with an animal on the highway is also a threat to our own safety and a cause for collisions that cost around $8 billion in damages in the U.S. every year.

The topic of wildlife-vehicle collisions lies at the literal intersection of human needs and wildlife needs. In this episode, we take a look at how our approaches to this topic can relate to all areas of planning how our human needs and communities advance, in a way that acknowledges our place within our environments. We will hear from members of Yellowstone Safe Passages, a community-guided coalition in Southwest Montana that is taking a holistic approach to mitigate this issue. We will hear from a road ecologist about what this work looks like on the ground and the jaw dropping costs of continued conflict. And a policy expert will share how this topic creates bipartisan engagement and a model for productive legislative action.

In this episode, WE HEAR FROM: 

Marcel Huijser, Western Transportation Institute

Liz Fairbank, Center for Large Landscape Conservation

Max Hjortsberg, Park County Environmental Council

Peter Brown, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Erin Sito, Wildlands Network

Members of Yellowstone Safe Passages

Other LINKS:

Yellowstone Safe Passages

Yellowstone Safe Passages Facebook

Yellowstone Safe Passages Instagram

Download the ROaDS app to contribute data as a citizen scientist! Follow directions on the linked document.

Paradise Valley Online Dashboard of Citizen Science Data

Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage

Wildlands Network

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Wildlife Crossing, Flathead Reservation

Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group

Ben Goldfarb's book on road ecology, Crossings

Ologies podcast episode with Ben Goldfarb on Road Ecology

ARTICLES:

Introducing Yellowstone Safe Passages

Montana Projects Receive $9 million for Wildlife Crossings

Report calls for highway improvements to lessen wildlife-vehicle collisions (in Montana)

Mandating Wildlife Crossings in Mexico’s Infrastructure

U.S. Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program

This episode is part of the Life in the Land project, which is a series of films and podcasts produced by Stories for Action. The series hears from folks that interact with the complexities of Montana's landscapes, speaking to the value of locally-led work and the holistic approaches needed for the health of communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Find out more about the project and watch the films at LifeintheLand.org. Reach out if you would like to host a free screening of the content for your community, organization, or classroom!

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#Yellowstone #wildlife #roadecology #ecology #sustainability #montana #environment #ruralamerica

Today we will hear from Patrick Yawakie-Peltier, co-Founder of Red Medicine LLC, an Indigenous civic engagement service based in Montana. Patrick was present throughout Montana's legislative session this year, advocating for and against policy that will impact the state's tribal members. Patrick will share with us his personal experience in the session as an Indigenous person and community advocate, and also his calls for improved engagement and approaches in our state legislative process. Patrick shares messages intended for tribal members to gain information and entry points for advocacy, and also for non-Native folks to gain valuable insight and perspective. Like many of our episodes attempt to do, I hope that no matter your demographic, you can gain some insight about others or even yourself through these conversations…as I believe, whether you agree with someone or not, it benefits us to be more informed about the challenges, and humanized perspectives of those we share our world with.

This episode also shares some context and introductory information on Montana's unique tribal communities and a few specifics that contribute to the field of Indian Law. We encourage you to continue your research on these topics. Below are a few links for starting points.

LINKS:

Red Medicine LLC on Facebook

People's Food Sovereignty Program

Native American Influences on U.S. Government

Montana Indigenous Tribes: Their History & Location (from Office of Public Instruction)

Montana Indian Education for All - curriculum & information for all ages

Info on Indian Child Welfare Act: National Indian Child Welfare Association

Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968

American Indian Movement: AIM

"The 1950's plan to erase Indian Country" piece from American Public Media

Land Status of Indian Country in Montana: Policy Basics

House Bill 163 to extend task force for MMIP - Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons

Indigenous language revitalization

What the session means for Indian Country: Char-Koosta News article

Article on funding for internet access for rural and tribal communities

This episode is made possible with support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. Headwaters is committed to supporting the health and sovereignty of Native Americans through their grants and partnerships. Learn more at www.headwatersmt.org, or find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. Learn more at StoriesforAction.org  Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#tribalsovereignty #legislation #policy #tribalpolicy #indianlaw #montana #montanalegislators #democrat #republican #indigenous #indigenousvoices #nativevoices #advocacy #community #reservation #policymaker #senator #congressperson #helenamontana #mmip #mmiw #icwa #stategovernment #aclu #flatheadreservation

It seems like these days, if you spend even the slightest amount of time tuned into public events and rhetoric, you become aware of growing divisions...that there is a silent, or sometimes very loud pressure to “pick a side”, narratives and messaging coming from higher levels of public messaging, social media, policymakers, to align, to pit us against them, and sometimes this narrative can grow louder than the moral compass inside our own head.

This episode with Marissa Hackett touches on a lot of things, and I hope that one of them sparks an answer for you on how we can humanize one another again, individualize the real stories behind our actions and bandwagons. This conversation is about respecting the sacredness of a connected community and connection to place...it’s about sharing story, removing stigmas, and normalizing the hard conversations, and empowering us to allow human connection to rise above political divides. 

Marissa Hackett speaks to her connection to the people and places of Montana, her work with the Human Resource Development Center in Park County and the realities in rural areas of folks needing support with housing, food, safety from abuse, or other vulnerabilities. She also touches on her experience growing up in what she terms as a cult, and parallels she sees with divisive messaging tactics that are growing today.

LINKS:

Marissa Hackett's blog "Breaking the Cycle" on Substack

Human Resource Development Center (HRDC)

Southwest Chemical Dependency

Community Health Partners

Leadership 49 program - MSU Park County Extension

Montana Veteran's Affairs Division

Livingston Food Resource Center

ASPEN - Abuse Support Prevention Education Network

Park County Library

Article: MSU Extension & MT Dept of Ag join new USDA regional food business center partnership

Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center

This episode was made possible through support from Meadowlark Guide Co, which hosts river trips and retreats that embrace the mountains, prairies, and rivers of Montana and Wyoming. They weave together elements of personal development, healing modalities, and adventure with the intent that you will find deeper and meaningful connection to place, self, and community.

_______________________________

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. Learn more at StoriesforAction.org  Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#community #Montana #homeless #rural #foodbank #foodinsecurity #affordablehousing #polarizing #divisive #nonpartisan #roymasters #breakingthecycle #healing #communityhealth

Helene Gaddie is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Generations Indigenous Ways (GIW). This community based Native nonprofit organization is dedicated to empowering American Indian youth with the knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education enhanced by Oglala Lakota values and way of life using Indigenous Sciences, operating in the Pine Ridge Reservation area. They host camps in all seasons, which consist of hands on learning that integrates traditional Lakota values and Indigenous Science with Western science, touching on everything from geology, astronomy, ecosystem health, learning modern technologies such as GIS or learning about physics through archery, with bows they construct themselves.

Helene’s story and messages provides great insight for anyone already leading a community-guided organization, anyone who sees a need in their community but doesn’t know where to start to take action, anyone working in the spaces of youth outreach, education, science, and for anyone in the Oglala Lakota Nation or beyond, who want to hear about some inspiring and impactful work.  

This conversation with Helene took place at the Strengthening the Circle gathering, hosted by Hopa Mountain in Bozeman in April 2023. This gathering aims to build the capacities of experienced and emerging Native-led nonprofit organizations that are working to improve economic development, education, and social services on or near reservations.

LINKS:

Generations Indigenous Ways

Native Science Field Center

Hopa Mountain

Strengthening the Circle, gathering

This episode is part of the Life in the Land project, which is a series of films and podcasts produced by Stories for Action, which hears from folks that interact with the complexities of Montana's landscapes, speaking to the value of locally-led work and the holistic approaches needed for the health of communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Find out more about the project and watch the films at LifeintheLand.org

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. Learn more at StoriesforAction.org  Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#Lakota #Oglala #Indigenousleadership #indigenousnonprofit #traditionalecologicalknowledge #tek #indigenousscience #sciencefoundation #nativescience #southdakota #montana #youth #STEM