Speeches

Remarks by Governor Judy Martz
Montana Farmer's Union
Great Falls, Montana
October 20, 2001

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for providing me the opportunity to join you this morning.

The landscape of this industry has changed dramatically in the past several years. But agriculture is still the largest and most diverse industry in this state.

And I commit to you, that under the watch of this Governor's office, we will do everything we can to make sure that your industry remains the critical part of our economy that it is.

Working together, we can process the raw materials you raise here in the state.

Montana will always - and should always - sell commodities. However, if we allow the majority of our crops and livestock to flow out of the state without adding value, we not only send our agricultural production to a distant land, but we also begin to export our children and our neighbors as they leave the state in search of better paying jobs.

I appreciate the efforts of the Montana Farmers Union as you work to increase the value of our agricultural industry.

You recognize the need for alternative crop production.

You understand the importance of adding value to our state's raw products, and you are committed to ensure that agriculture remains our state's strongest industry.

You - as Farmers Union Members - recognize that we must turn Montana from a not only net exporter of raw commodities but also to a net exporter of processed agricultural commodities.

As a result of the Value-Added Food Processing Conference that I sponsored last February, The Department of Agriculture is currently coordinating, with Farmers Union participation, a Value-Added Agriculture and Food Processing Advisory Council.

This council's goal is to develop a cooperative effort for food processing that would focus on increasing marketing and networking opportunities for Montana's nearly 700 food producers.

In addition, this year, in cooperation with your industry, our administration reaffirmed our commitment to promotion of our state's agricultural products.

Thank you - for working diligently through the legislative process to ensure that agriculture was represented.

The investment that you supported will increase the number of food processing companies in this state.

It will assist Montana agri-businesses and producers each year in the development of marketing plans that accurately reflect consumer trends in the marketplace.

This framework exists, provided by the innovation and foresight of leaders in the 2000 Special Legislative Session, and carried forward in the 2001 Session.

Quinn Holzer, the Growth Through Agriculture program manager, will speak later this morning about the Growth Through Agriculture program and how you can benefit from it.

This funding source helps producers and processors alike to seek new opportunities to market their products. I encourage you to take advantage of funding sources like Growth Through Agriculture to build and expand your business.

There are so many opportunities like this to develop new markets for your agricultural products.

In addition to the coordinated efforts through our state government departments, I want to thank you for your strong support of MSU-Northern's Cooperative Development Center.

In early September 2001 the Cooperative Development Center received nearly $300,000 through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, part of USDA Rural Development.

This center will use that money to enhance economic viability and sustainability in Montana through cooperatives and cooperative alliances.

These projects show that, although the agriculture industry is changing, this does not mean that we cannot grow this sector of our economy.

Montana cannot afford to sit back and watch the rest of the world change while we continue to do business in the way in which it has always been done.

It would be easy to come here today and blame others for the issues you are seeing in your industry.

Instead, I ask you to recognize the landscape - the changes occurring in the agricultural industry - and to work to affect the things we CAN change.

We are rugged individuals. We have a heritage of standing firm and fighting for what we believe in. The rugged individual image is one that we cherish; however, we must also remember that Montana was not built only by individuals.

The pioneers who settled this state worked together to build homes, communities, businesses, and churches. Let us not forget that we also have their unity in our blood.

We have a heritage of working together to accomplish great things just as much as we have a history of being stalwart individuals.

You are not alone. Between government, industry, and associations, we can make amazing things happen.

On a side note, I want to thank you as an industry for working closely with the Department of Agriculture regarding pesticide and chemical terrorist threats.

I know that you are aware of the very real threat of terrorism. Montana is not exempt. In addition to working with the department to help identify any concerns, I hope that you will take the necessary precautions - keep an inventory of equipment and agricultural chemicals, and notify authorities of any concerns you may have. (pause)

The world is run by those who participate. Your involvement here today tells the story. You have the interest and commitment to take an active role in improving your businesses and Montana.

Thank you for taking the time to be here. I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that agriculture remains the state's number one industry.

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