Governor Gianforte Proclaims Montana Soil Health Week

On April 1, Governor Gianforte held a roundtable discussion to recognize Soil Health Week in Montana and raise awareness about how healthy soils can increase crop yields, improve nutrition, and strengthen food security.

“Montana Soil Health Week serves as an opportunity to highlight our farmers, ranchers, and all producers working toward better soil health stewardship,” Gov. Gianforte said. “By being good stewards, we are creating opportunities for the next generation and cultivating a future where Montana producers can continue to drive our economy and produce high-quality commodities.”

Joining Montana Department of Agriculture Director Christy Clark, legislators, ranchers, business owners, and community partners, the governor convened the group to highlight the importance of healthy soil for agriculture, food security, and nutrition.

“Working to maximize soil health is critical to maximizing profitability,” said Dir. Clark. “By implementing soil health principles like rotational grazing, cover cropping or no-till, our farmers and ranchers can preserve their operations for future generations while harvesting better profits.”

Last spring, the Montana Legislature passed a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Sen. Butch Gillespie, R-Ethridge, and co-sponsored by Sen. Janet Ellis, D-Helena, designating the first week of April as Montana Soil Health Week and the first Wednesday in April as Montana Soil Health Day.

“Soil health is something we’ve been interested in on our ranch and have been practicing for a number of years now. It’s a neat time of year to highlight healthy soils because Mother Earth is waking up and things are getting warmer, so the seeds are starting to sprout and are ready to be seeded on our farmlands,” said Sen. Gillespie.

Discussing ways to promote the stewardship of Montana’s soil, the group heard from Cole Mannix, founder of the Old Salt Co-op and owner of The Union restaurant set to open this month in Helena.

“Our market will showcase products that come from the landscapes of Montana, so I view soil health as a tremendous opportunity – an opportunity to increase fertility to increase crops. So, it’s a win-win,” Mannix said.

Concluding the roundtable, the governor read and signed the proclamation declaring this week Montana Soil Health Week.

The governor’s proclamation is

WHEREAS, recognizing soil as an essential natural resource, and Montana’s agricultural producers and professionals as playing a critical role in managing Montana’s soil and water resources; and

WHEREAS, healthy soil increases the viability of farms and ranches and the nutrient density of foods; and

WHEREAS, increases the availability of water for municipalities and recreational uses, and in-stream flows for power generation; and

WHEREAS, farming and ranching are vital to economic development and thriving livelihoods for Montana’s rural and tribal communities; and

WHEREAS, the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture defines soil health as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Gianforte, Governor of the State of Montana, do hereby proclaim April 1-7, 2024

SOIL HEALTH WEEK

and the day of April 3, 2024

SOIL HEALTH DAY

in Montana to raise awareness of the importance of soil health and promote the stewardship of Montana’s soils.

/s/ Greg Gianforte

Governor