The gardening ZOOM on May 8th led to great discussion on regenerative gardening. Thanks to all who attended and shared their knowledge and asked questions. Topics included starting a new garden plot, unique planting methods, plant types, and more. If you were unable to attend and would like the recording please let us know!
The EMRA 2024 Member Directory is now available online. Access it here.
The EMRA 2025 Member Directory is in the works now. If you are an EMRA member, you are invited to be in the directory as a way to facilitate networking. Keep an eye out for an email that outlines the details.
Native Plants
Indianwheat
Plantago patagonica
Also known as woolly plantain, this native is a small tap rooted annual that grows up to 10” tall but typically much shorter. The plant is covered with a dense covering of silky hairs which make it look silver in the sunlight. The small whitish green flowers come on May to August. This annual prefers dry upland plains. Increase in abundance on overgrazed rangeland. They do not provide ample forage but seeds are consumed by rodents and birds. Native Americans would chew the leaves to relieve toothaches.
Wild Onions
Allium spp.
Resemble domestic onions with slender stems and leaves from an onion/garlic scented bulb. Springtime flowers are white or light pink. These plants can be found in almost every grassland. Can grow 4-12” tall. Little to no grazing value. CAUTION: wild onions can be confused with deathcamas, which are poisonous! Crushed bulbs of wild onions smell like garlic or onion while deathcamas bulbs are nearly odorless.
Photo credit:
Goldenpea
Thermopsis rhombifolia
A herbaceous, perennial that grows to 6-12” tall. These plants are rhizomatous. Bright yellow flowers bloom from April to June. Small bean-shaped pods form at maturity. Leave are alternate and palmately trifoliate. This plant is widely adapted to dry uplands on shale outcrops, sandy ridges and prairies. Livestock seldom graze it as it has little forage value. Some report livestock being poisoned but little research backs this. The strong rootstock has great value for soil stabilization.
Photo credit:
USFWS Mountain-Prairie FLICKR
Native Plant information compiled from the Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains by: James R. Johnson and Gary E. Larson
Summer/Fall Events
June 3-5th 406 Grazing Academy- Havre, MT- MT DNRC
June 10th Virtual Fencing Presentation- Winnett, MT- Petroleum CD/NRCS
June 11th Ladies Day on the Range- Winnett, MT – Petroleum CD/NRCS
June 17-19th Health Soil & Thriving Wildlife- Manhatten, MT – Soil Health Academy
June 23-25th MT Range Days– Miles City, MT
July 8-10th EMRA Goal-Based Grazing School – Brusett, MT – Register HERE
August EMRA Range/Member Tour- TBD
August 19-21st 406 Grazing Academy: The Next Bite- Lewistown, MT- MT DNRC
August 21st Cold Season Grazing Clinic w/Cooper Hibbard- Malta, MT
September 4-7th Grazing Expo- Billings, MT – MT GLC
September 30th- Oct. 2nd Expanding Markets Conference- Helena, MT- WSE
Opportunities
Funding for Native Seed Available for Farmers in Eastern Montana
Hopa Mountain, in partnership with the Plank Stewardship Initiative, announces the availability of grants up to $1,000 to reimburse farmers and ranchers located in eastern Montana who want to purchase local native seed to be planted for wildland revegetation. Planting native seeds is helpful for land revegetation because it maintains and restores native plant gene pools, communities, and ecosystems. Native plant communities play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity by providing ecosystem functions such as water conservation, erosion protection, and habitat for wildlife.
An online application to participate in this reimbursement program is available now at www.hopamountain.org and will remain open until May 20, 2025. Farmers and ranchers in Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Fallon, Carter, Garfield, McCone and Powder River counties are eligible for this grant opportunity. Applicants can apply for up to $1,000. Hopa Mountain expects to make between 10-15 awards.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on May 20 and will be reviewed by a team of staff at Hopa Mountain and the Plank Stewardship Initiative. Applicants will be notified of their award status by May 30. Funds must be spent by September 30, 2025.
For additional information please call Hopa Mountain’s office at 406-586-2455 or email info@hopamountain.org. Hopa Mountain invests in rural and tribal citizen leaders who are improving education, ecological health, and economic development. The Plank Stewardship Initiative helps farmers and ranchers in the Northern Great Plains enhance their business skills and economic sustainability, enter into successful succession planning for their operations, and further their efforts to conduct conservation-friendly, sustainable rangeland management.
Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer, Executive Director
Hopa Mountain
234 E. Babcock, Suite E.
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-2455 (office)
(406) 581-0824 (cell)
