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Senate Agriculture panel advances interim study on food security and agricultural prosperity
Summary
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted to advance SJ46, a proposed interim study to examine Montana food security and ways to strengthen rural economies through agriculture, after testimony from tribal, nonprofit and small-producer witnesses.
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted to advance Senate Joint Resolution 46, a proposed interim study on food security and agricultural prosperity, following testimony from producers, tribal food advocates and the Montana Food Bank Network.
Senator Andrea Olsen, representing Missoula, introduced the resolution and told the committee it would explore investments "from the ground up," including soil health, pollinator protection and strategies to strengthen rural economies built on agriculture. "I'm here to talk to you today about agricultural prosperity," Olsen said, urging the panel to take up the study during the interim.
Proponents described local benefits and gaps the study could examine. Patrick Kiewake, who identified himself as representing tribal communities and as executive director of People's Food Sovereignty Program, said his group used about $500,000 in COVID-19 funding to distribute locally sourced food and work with local meat processors. He told the committee that buying from local ranchers and farmers improved nutrition and access for community members and asked the committee to "support SJ46 with a do-pass." Tom Jacobson, a small honey producer from Cascade, described the challenges of getting Montana honey and other small-producer goods into local markets. Kira Condon of the Montana Food Bank Network said Feeding America data show about 1 in 8 Montanans were food insecure in 2023 and urged a yes vote on SJ46 to identify opportunities to source local foods for food-insecure families.
Jillian Street, director of the Department of Agriculture, attended as an informational witness and said a study could help the department identify needs and tailor programming so producers could "rise to the occasion," for example by increasing local procurement for school districts.
After testimony and brief discussion, a committee member moved that SJ46 be recommended to pass (do pass). The committee called for a voice vote; the motion carried and proxies were assumed as yes. The action advances SJ46 to the next stage for further consideration during the interim.
The committee did not record any formal opposition during the hearing. The next procedural step is placement on the interim study list and any staff work requested by the relevant committees to scope the study.
