Talk of the West » COTW Happenings

University of Montana “Food, Agriculture, and Environment” class

Susan — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:54:07 +0000

Back in June a group of University of Montana graduate students visited us at the Moe Ranch and Cream of the West. One beautiful rainy evening, the fields refreshingly green, the skies dark and gray, we were treated to yummy, natural ranch-raised beef burgers at Richard and Alicia’s. Blessed with great company, we visited the night away on the screened porch of the old stone house.

A couple of the students enjoying the rustic swing and lovely view of the Musselshell River, snaking it’s way east just on the edge of Moe’s lawn.

Unbelievable views of the Musselshell River and Crazy Mountains following a cleansing, June rain.

What better place to set up camp than on a grassy lawn on the banks of the Musselshell, right outside a beautiful house with indoor plumbing facilities?

Beautiful Maya, Richard’s and Alicia’s granddaughter, happened to be visiting as well – and she had no trouble charming the socks off us!

The next day, the group aquiesced and donned hair nets for a tour of our plant in Harlowton (good sports that they are!).

Neva Hassanein, Ph. D. (far left) led her “Food, Agriculture, and Environment” graduate students on an eight-day tour of Montana. Making a loop from Missoula, all the way east to Glendive, north around Malta and Great Falls, and back, the group visited several Montana businesses taking advantage of sustainable agriculture practices and principles. Cream of the West was lucky enough to be one of their stops.

The course description for the Environmental Studies class states, “According to Wendell Berry, “eating is an agricultural act.” But most of us know very little about how the food we eat each day is produced or how it reaches our plates. Food is central to our lives, and it has the capacity to profoundly connect us with nature and the place where we live. In this course, we will explore the premise that the sustainability of the food and agriculture system requires practices, policies, and social arrangements that balance concerns of environmental soundness, economic viability, and social justice among all sectors of society. We will look at the conditions created by the dominant, “industrial” food and agricultural system, as well as investigate emerging alternatives – such as “sustainable agriculture” and “local food systems.” The purpose is to introduce you to some of the central contemporary issues in the study of food and agriculture in the U.S. and to demonstrate an approach to broad, interdisciplinary study and practice. Through a research paper or a project, you will also have the opportunity to improve your research, communication, organizing, and presentation skills.”

Along those lines, the students let go many tough, yet insightful questions of us (the owners). We had lengthy conversations about what it takes to get our food from the farm to the table, and Cream of the West’s role in that endeavor. Here at COTW, we do believe in the concept of sustainability, and live it every, waking day. Four of our owners (Richard, Alicia, Steve and I), are full-time, local ranchers, producing natural, ranch-raised beef and grain. Two of our owners (Tom and Beth) own and operate our local grocery store (and stock every one of COTW’s products, of course!). Two of our owners (Tom and Trudy) own and operate Rocky Mountain Cookware. And two of our owners (Keith and Janet) deliver irrigation water and clerk for the district court. Most of us have lived here our entire lives, and all of us contribute mightily to not only our small community’s sustainability, but to the promise to deliver natural, healthy, and delicious food to our customers.

The maroon UofM van delivers and it takes away. So long, thanks for a lovely stopover, and we look forward to seeing you again!

(photos by Susan)

4th Of July

Courtany — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:02:58 +0000

Howdy! I am hoping all of you guys have found yourself well over this 4^th of July weekend. The Cream of the West family had an array of events planned for this weekend: we had our annual 4^th of July Rodeo which means the cowboys filled this town in no time; our parade which is always surprising; and our breakfast at the Midtown, which is our only grocery store in town. I know that your mouth might be dropping if you live in an actual city but please contain your shock.

Reason for the Fundraiser

The Rodeo is always a good time no matter if you are a cowboy or not! The extravaganza consists of bull riding, roping and my personal favorite, the calf chase. Not sure if the “calf chase” is the actual name for it but it basically consists of ribbons being pinned to the calf while the children run around chasing the calf to win the ribbons. The ribbons are worth five dollars so you can see why children are anxious to participate. Last year was a more entertaining experience because of the mud that filled the arena. You can already imagine chasing the calf looking redneck. Add on the mud you got yourself a whole new type of redneck fun!

We also have our Harlowton Annual Parade both July 3^rd and 4^th that always includes some of the most interesting things. We have golf carts, swathers, tractors, semis, old fashioned cars, and horses of course; plus many other things that prove we are true Montanans.

Mr. Holmes Flipping Our Cream of the West 7grain Buttermilk Flapjack

We donated about 35 pounds of flapjack mix to Midtown Market who was having a fundraiser of sorts for our firefighters. The money was being raised for their annual firework show down at our park. The flapjacks were such a hit at the event that we had to call Stacy to go get us some more at 9 on Sunday morning. We might not always strive for moments that are this unexpected but they are the moments that encourage us that we have a product that is liked by customers at any given moment of the day.

I hope this gives you a glimpse into Cream of the West and what we experience living in Montana. I know that you will never truly appreciate life in Montana without letting yourself enjoy all of the beauty, redneck extravagance (not truly an oxymoron) and of course our good home-grown

Cream of the West Montana products.

New Recipes

Courtany — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:57:22 +0000

Well I posted some new recipes on our website as long with some ways to cook some of our organic products. If you have never used them you might find it very helpful. There are a variety of types but the cooking instructions are pretty straight forward. Have fun with your cooking endeavors! Oh and I hope this up coming 4th of July is your best one yet.

Green Barn Organics ready to roll…

Susan — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:50:51 +0000

At Cream of the West we have officially introduced our new line of organic flours and grains. We begin our foray by offering our line to natural foods stores in Montana…so kudos to the Good Earth Market in Billings for being our very first GBO customer!

Mission Statement!

greenBarn organics (GBO) is the brainchild of Richard, Alicia, Steve and I, and we have all worked very hard bringing these “Montana-made”, and to a certain extent “Montana-grown”, flours and grains into your home. Bobby and Stacy, our production crew, have labored tirelessly getting our plant in “organic” order, which involved some remodeling and much re-organizing. And our office manager, Liane, has been chugging away seeing that nutritional labels are being generated, customer sheets are being designed, and our inventory system is up to date. Our certification from Montana’s Department of Agriculture came to us in May, and since then we’ve been narrowing down the product list, setting prices, and finally, FINALLY, we are ready to introduce you to greenBarn organics!

meet Green Barn Organics!

Richard and Alicia made the delivery to Good Earth Market last Thursday, so you should be able to head straight to their bulk bins and stock up on some organic and Montana-made grains! Please stay tuned as we expand our list of Montana natural foods outlets, and be sure to keep watch on our website for retail offerings, nutritional information, recipes, and more!

Alicia delivering our first GBO order!

DESTRUCTION MEN

Courtany — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:57:26 +0000

Thursday we had people doing construction and we were left with no internet connection which means phones are not working either!

They are building a new rest stop right here in beautiful Harlo which is good but we really wish we didn’t lose our connection because of it. Sorry for the ranting but it really deters your business from operating. Hoping you guys are having a good day and wish we could have field some of your calls! Have a good day and do not do anything too crazy!

ORGANIC ORDER

Courtany — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:46:59 +0000

The entire office has some awesome news and we can’t hide it for very long so I am just going to scream it, through the computer, “WE SOLD OUR FIRST ORGANIC ORDER YESTERDAY!!!” We received the call yesterday which gave us our first official order. Liane was the one that answered the phone and rejoiced to the whole office that we had made our first organic order! Then Susan followed it up by making a video so we could reenact the whole event although you never can really reenact the excitement as well for the camera.

Of course everyone here is overwhelmed with joy and can’t wait to field more calls for more organic orders! I hope you rejoice with us as we celebrate this monumental occasion! Sorry for all the explanation points but I am excited for us!

HELLO FROM HARLO

Courtany — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:31:41 +0000

I am finally back from Mexico and in the states and it’s nice to be home in Montana. When I saw the “Welcome to Montana” sign was when I realized how much I really missed this place. Of course I will also miss the culture, food, and people of Mexico. There is always excitement of trying new foods, but something about seeing familiar food opposed to the food I didn’t recognize much less pronounce, makes you miss the simplicity of Montana grown products.

Mexico was a great experience where I was allowed to work with children during a Vacation Bible School “trying” to talk to them, giving the piggy back rides which they call caballos and then vuelto which is basically spinning them. We did all kinds of work projects around the compound like painting, stuccoing, and I even put in a shower which neither me or my partner were well educated in but we got things done. We had times to experience what church is like there in Mexico which is not like the states at all. When you go to a 3^rd world country and see what having nothing is you see how blessed you truly are.

First day back and got to spend it with the Cream of the West family who are home from their various locations, although Stacey just left for western Montana to do some hiking. We got back on track by having our “crew chat”, that is the name that Alicia has dubbed it, and we got right back on track to making things go round at the Cream of the West.

The Scattered Crew

Courtany — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:14:07 +0000

Summer is finally here in a sense, that it is what you call this season, but looking outside most days you would never know. We all are enjoying the little bit of sun we have been granted these past weeks and all have things to do. We all are packing and things have become a little more hectic with much of our crew going off either which way. Bobby, our production manager, is off to Canada, Liane, our office manager is going off to Seattle to be with the new grandbaby and I am going to Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego and finally Mexico for my mission’s trip. There is so much to do in so little time and much of us are running around to make sure it is all done before we are gone. Alicia then is off next week to do her other job teaching Gifted Education at MSU Billings. Although it seems we have are all abandoned you there are still great people staying behind. Don’t worry though because we will be back before you know it!  I am excited to see some of the places but nothing beats being home in Montana. Something about the big open skies that is so inviting and calming. I am sad to be leaving but it will be good to experience life!! Have a good summer vacation and try to make it down to Montana or even Harlowton to see where the magic happens. Thanks and enjoy all the sunrays and whatever other weather summer brings your way. You could be like us 2 years ago and have snow in the middle of summer but I would not curse that on anyone!!

-Courtany Kent

In Flanders Fields

Susan — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:52:56 +0000

In tribute to our fallen soldiers on this Memorial Day,
we reprint the John McCrae poem…

WWI: In Flanders Fields
John McCrae (1872-1918)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

And A Memorial Day Litany

We remember and honor those whose lives were
given in service to us:

The 184,000 who served in the Revolutionary War
and the 4,435 who died in that service.

The 286,703 who served in the War of 1812
and the 6,765 who died in that service.

The 78,718 who served in the Mexican War
and the 13,283 who died in that service.

The 3.500,000 who served in the Civil War
and the the 530,000 who died in that service.

The 306,760 who served in the Spanish-American War
and the 2,446 who died in that service.

The 4,743,826 who served in World War One
and the 116,708 who died in that service.

The 16,353,659 who served in World War Two
and the 407,316 who died in that service.

The 5,764,143 who served in the Korean War
and the 33,651 who died in that service.

The 8,744,000 who served in the Vietnam War
and the 58,168 who died in that service.

The 467,539 who served in the Persian Gulf War
and the 268 who died in that service.

The 320,000 who served and are serving in the Afghanistan War
and the 492 who have died in that service.

The 1,680,000 who served and are serving in the Iraq War
and the 4,021 who have died in that service.

as spoken during Sunday services at American Lutheran Church in Harlowton

Artisan Baker is My Experience of the Day

Courtany — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:51:15 +0000

ARTISAN BAKER

Have you ever heard of an artisan baker? I sure have not. We just recently heard the word when we sold a product. An artisan baker are considered to be craftsperson who are trained to the highest ability to mix, ferment, shape and bake a hand crafted loaf of bread. They understand the science behind the chemical reactions of the ingredients and know how to provide the best environment for the bread to develop. It is amazing what you can accomplish with a piece of bread. I am under the impression that these crafts person don’t use an oven but use pure chemical reactions to bake the bread. It is amazing how something can be turned into art just like that! Hmm fun things you learn at work I guess. I am really learning a lot but I guess not what I would have thought I would be learning. Just thought I would share my learning experience.

Courtany Kent