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Our Mission

Connection, Education and Advocacy

In 2019, berry growers from across the state banded together with MSU extension to establish the Montana Berry Growers Association. Their goal was to build a strong network of berry growers to increase the overall success for small fruit producers. Today, the association encourages and supports state wide development for small fruit markets and its producers through increased access to resources, advocacy, and collaboration. 

Current Board Members

 

  • Chair | Christie Walsh, co-owner of Township Road Farm near Worden

  • Treasurer | Catherine McNeil, owner/operator of Apple Bar Orchard in the Helena valley

Executive Committee Members:

  • Melissa Allred, owner/operator of Aspen Grove Farm in Corvallis

  • Patrick Mangan, MSU Extension — Flathead Reservation Office, Agriculture Extension Educator

  • Kim Baertsch, owner/operator of BarbedWire Land in Polson

  • Bonnie Vogler, owner/operator of Adams Acres in Charlo

Board Members

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Christie Walsh

Christie Walsh is the co-owner of Township Road Farm near Worden, Montana. She and her husband purchased a 5 acre plot 18 years ago with the dream of filling it with a myriad of fruits. All these years later, they are finally on their way to making their dream a reality. Their farm motto is ‘we grow a little bit of everything’. Their orchard has 32 fruit trees (mostly apples), three large raspberry brambles, a plum thicket, a few rows of Haskaps, a whole corner dedicated to currants, dwarf sour cherries, and 256 wine grape vines. Their vineyard will acquire another 384 grapes next year. Aronia berries, Serviceberries, Sea Buckthorns and Buffalo Berries are on the list of additions that will soon be adorning the farm as well.

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Catherine McNeil

Catherine McNeil and her late husband, Ken, have spent their lives in agriculture. Their family owns Apple Bar Orchard in the Helena valley of Montana, one of the original homesteads in the area dating back to the early 1900s.

 

The McNeil family farm hosts seven acres of hay fields and 1.5 acres of fruit. The orchard got its start as a research site for MSU Extension to determine what kinds of berries could be grown in Montana on only .25 acres. The successful berry cultivars gained footing and expanded fruit production to its current acreage, and is now occupied by haskaps, currants, saskatoons, aronia berries, sour cherries, and various apple and pear varieties.

 

Products from Apple Bar Orchard can be found across the state of Montana in various value-added products such as jams, jellies, juice, kombucha, beer, wine, seltzer, pies, tarts, scones, and other baked goods. Catherine loves the nutritional aspects of the haskaps and other Montana-grown berries, and hopes they become a healthy option for Montanans in the future.

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Melissa Allred

Melissa Allred is the owner of Aspen Grove Farm in Corvallis, MT. She started Aspen Grove in 2019, but has over 20 years experience as both a fruit and vegetable farmer in the Bitterroot valley. Her six acre farm is home to five acres of honeyberries and one acre of raspberries, strawberries, currants, elderberries, saskatoons, gooseberries, rhubarb and a young fruit orchard.

 

Aspen Grove produces a line of jams and syrup made from her farm-grown berries. These value-added products can be found in retail and grocery locations throughout the state. Aspen Grove Farm sells fresh and frozen berries at several local farmer's markets as well as U-Pick at the farm during the growing season.

 

Melissa loves to have her hands in the soil, growing and nurturing her beautiful berries. Introducing people to the flavors of freshly grown berries, especially the honeyberry, is her life's passion.

Join us on the Board

The mission of the Montana Berry Growers Association (MTBGA) is to advance the Montana berry industry while fostering the success of berry growers and related agribusinesses. MTBGA is dedicated to promoting Montana-grown berries and raising consumer awareness, providing educational opportunities for berry growers, exploring avenues for production, marketing, and securing funding, and uniting berry growers with other agribusinesses.


In 2019, berry growers from across the state joined forces with MSU Extension to establish the Montana Berry Growers Association. Their goal was to create a strong network of berry growers to support the success and growth of small fruit producers. Today, the association continues to encourage and support statewide development for small fruit markets and producers by increasing access to resources, advocacy, and collaboration.

Currently seeking a few good people
 

We are currently seeking individuals to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors.


Reasons to help out


By joining the Board of Directors of the Montana Berry Growers Association, you'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on the growth and success of the Montana berry industry.

 

Serving on the board offers you the chance to:

 

  • Shape the future of the Montana berry industry by helping set strategic goals and initiatives for the association.

  • Expand your network and collaborate with other passionate berry growers, agribusiness leaders, and industry experts.

  • Support and empower fellow berry growers through educational programs, advocacy, and resource sharing.

  • Advocate for Montana-grown products and help increase consumer awareness, which will benefit both individual growers and the community as a whole.

  • Play a key role in securing funding and resources that will help grow the industry, ensuring its sustainability for future generations.

  • If you're passionate about supporting Montana's small fruit growers and making a lasting impact in agriculture, this is an exciting opportunity to get involved.

 

Contact us

Please contact a current board member for more information or email us at mtberrygrowers@gmail.com.


 Interested in joining the
Montana Berry Growers Association?  

 
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