Agriculture in the Rocky Mountain Front
Author: Sarah Anne Devaney, Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University
Montana State University started out as the state's land-grant college in 1893 as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. Today, the College of Agriculture is home to the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) conducting research and prepares the students, the future farmers and ranchers, to play a vital part in the economy of the state, the nation and worldwide.

For more information on Montana's history visit Montana's Official State Website or Wikipedia, as well as the State's website on Tribal Affairs. For some interactive information for each county of this area check out our site on the Geographic Setting.
Here are some facts about modern agriculture in Montana:
- Agriculture Census 2012: According to the Montana Department of Agriculture Montana is ranked #1 in Organic Wheat Production.
- 2015: Agriculture in Montana has been the consistently leading industry with $4.6 billion a year. The travel industry comes in second with about $3.1 billion. Montana is ranked 3rd in the nation when it comes to certified organic acres (250,531 acres, ran by 138 operations) behind Alaska and California. Crop is the main contributor: 190,255 acres, $35.2 million (72% of all Cert. Organic sales). The top 5 organic products: Spring wheat, Chicken eggs, winter wheat, durum wheat, all other cattle. Montana is 2nd in the nation for acres of barley. Dry edible peas are grown on 550,000 acres $86.1 million), lentils on 222,000 acres ($68.1 million), wheat on 5.3 million acres ($938.8 million) and potatoes on 10,900 acres ($41.5 million). Hay is a major contributor to the economy, some of it is even being exported.
- Pondera County (county seat: Dupuyer) was the top county in Montana for producing winter wheat (431,000 bushels) and spring wheat (1,051,000 bushels) on irrigated land.
- North-central Montana is also known as the "Golden Triangle", home to some of the best wheat in the world, but also pulses like lentils and chickpeas. Teton County (county seat: Choteau) grows barley, "prized by maltsters all over the world" according to Farm Flavor on regions in Montana.
o Here is an overview of Agriculture in Montana--U.S. Department of Agriculture
o One big driver of the local economy are products made (and grown) in Montana as well as products made by Native Americans in Montana. Both have their own add campaigns. Check out their websites and look for their logos!
While you are traveling through Big Sky country check out places where you can enjoy MT products, from handcrafted beers and spirits to organic produce, grains and beef. This website can help you plan a road trip or two (or more) so you can include your food destinations along with the planning. Especially in the hot summers a cool beer in one of the breweries might be just the right thing. The malt grown in Montana is partially used here as well, mainly by local distilleries. Many of these drinking facilities showcase local musicians and art, so they are well worth your time even if you decide not to test their liquid products. Please be a responsible consumer of adult beverages and plan ahead! Either have a designated driver or spend the night in town.