Talk of the West » Montana Life

Richard and Siri

Alicia — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:58:07 +0000

Richard, my husband, is a late arrival into the cell phone age. Among his many reasons for refusing to use a cell phone were: they don’t float in irrigation ditches; there’s no reception on the ranch; he couldn’t hear on it; and the tiny keyboard didn’t fit his fingers. All that changed when iPhone 4s and Siri entered his life. He totally fell under her spell. Before I knew it, she was going everywhere with him as his personal assistant. But, even Siri has a learning curve. For example Richard took her with him to check on the cows the other day. When he spotted a sick cow who needed doctoring, he said: “Siri, make a note to doctor Green 2.15.” And, Siri dutifully wrote: Dr. Green 2:15. Obviously, she’s a city girl who doesn’t know about cow’s ear tag identification. Lucky for me, she too has a thing or two to learn about agriculture.

Government “Helicoptering” Creates a Wii Farm Generation!

Alicia — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:37:04 +0000

Along with a roomful of friends and neighbors, I attended the Agriculture Appreciation Days dinner sponsored by the Harlowton Chamber of Commerce. The speaker raised some issues and cited statistics that left us all disheartened. While there were plenty of boots under the table and cowboy hats on the rack at our dinner, we were told that less than 2% of Americans are engaged in agriculture production. This translates to fewer and fewer adults and children with any first-hand knowledge of where their food comes from or what it takes to produce it.

When the speaker told us about the The Department of Labor’s proposed regulations limiting the kinds of work children can do on farms, I became truly concerned. As proposed, any children under the age of 16—unless they live on an unincorporated family farm—can not work around livestock or operate any farm equipment.* While the Department describes these regulations on kids and agriculture in terms of safety, farmers and ranchers view them as an attack on the rural way of life.

The result—whether intended or unintended—would drastically alter a farmer’s ability to pass on his store of knowledge and passion for the farming/ranching lifestyle to the next generation. Under the guise of safety, the ‘hands on’ learning–so essential to becoming a farmer or rancher–would be taken out of the farmer’s hands. “We taught these children to be safe,” stated a farm wife and mother. “We taught them … how we did things on the farm, and we also instilled the passion for the farm. So the family farms are not dying, that we would continue to pass them on.” *

I left the meeting very worried about this misguided regulation. Will an over-zealous governmental concern for safety, coupled with a lack of understanding of farm culture, rob our children of the chance to fully experience farm life? Will our extended family be excluded from spending summers working at the ranch? My concern was underscored when the following email hit our ‘InBox’. It was sent by my husband’s ‘city cousin’, now in his seventies:

“Tonight I somehow was led to describe for Chris the root [cellar], across the alfalfa field from the Moe Ranch- a memory from my childhood. Then my first arrival on the train in the middle of the night, probably in 1945. The milking of the cows, the shearing of the sheep at the Vestal place in the mountains. Big breakfasts, I was forced to eat liver. Riding horses with a purpose. Fishing in the river. I googled. Amazingly here it is together with this beautiful picture of Audun and Carol and the Stone House itself. I am in tears, good tears.. J.”

The Moe Ranch, thankfully, is still intact and being operated by my husband, who learned the rudiments of his profession at his father (Audun’s) side. Soon, his son will take over, having learned in the same way. But what of the city cousins—the 98% who don’t live on a family farm? The experiences cited in the above email, plus many more, would no longer be allowed under the proposed regulations!

What a shame if a Wii farm simulation becomes the only way that our next generations can gain an understanding of agriculture and the rural way of life!

*For complete text, go to: http://www.npr.org/2011/12/28/144385356/proposed-child-labor-rules-could-alter-farm-life

Face2Face

Alicia — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:37:23 +0000

FACE2FACE. Small, rural communities—here defined as those having populations under 1000 and located at least 100 miles from a city center—have their own form of social networking. The best way to ‘go viral’ is make your wishes known at the local post office or the coffee stop. For example, I expected a package delivery at the plant on December 23 and wanted to pick it up early before driving 20 miles home.

So, I stopped by the coffee shop to check on the UPS man’s whereabouts. “He’s not been here yet,” I was told. “I’ll let you know when he arrives.” Within the hour, I got a call from the coffee shop owner and the UPS driver informing me that my package was en route. Before long, my husband pulled up at the plant with my package. He’d been flagged down by the UPS driver and given instructions: “Your wife’s waiting for this…better get it down to her.” The very next morning, Christmas Eve, our Post Mistress called: “You got a couple of packages here that I thought you’d want before I close for the day. Looks like they’re for Christmas!” Face2Face ranks, on my list, as top-notch social network provider. To try it out for yourself, go to any small town. I guarantee you’ll be asked for Your Profile before long.

Made My Day

Alicia — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:47:10 +0000

Some days I really question why we work so hard (usually it’s right when I’m coming down with a cold). Then we get a “friendly reminder” that makes it all worthwhile.

Today’s came in the form of a handwritten letter from Oregon, which read, “Thank you for continuing the supply of Cream of the West!” Arnold, who is 96—just two years younger than Cream of the West—went on to describe how he and his sister would walk past the Cream of the West plant on their way to the Kate Fratt Memorial School in Billings in the 1920’s. Memories like that… and the people who take the time to share them… make me proud that we’re still a thriving Montana business. Thanks for the kudos and the memories, Arnold. You made my day!

The Blokes Don’t Say Much!

Alicia — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:29:56 +0000

Susan and Steve, Richard and I travelled to Helena, MT to meet with a trade delegation from the UK and Europe. En route we assigned tasks: Sue and I would do the talking; Steve and Richard would serve the cereal and flapjacks. All went according to plan. Afterwards one of the US organizers told us the Brits commented: “The Blokes don’t say much do they? D’yuh ‘spose they were told not to?” Didn’t take them long to size up the situation!

Gratitude and Appreciation this Thanksgiving

Alicia — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:34:24 +0000

Jean—local author, friend, and one of the wisest women I know—reflected on gratitude and appreciation for Thanksgiving 2011. I asked her permission to share parts of it with you…

“Gratitude is sitting in a space of acknowledgment. You look out from where you are and you see how lovely something is presented to you–gratitude for a sunset, a hug, a companion, a day, a blessing. Appreciation is both a physical feeling and a spiritual knowing. It is active joy in the moment, and can wash over you unexpectedly. Each of these requires a certain level of awareness, openness, and trust. Each is blessed and each leads to wonderment—the state of spirit.”

Wishing you opportunities for gratitude and appreciation this Thanksgiving.

Alicia

mt.gov Economic Development Facts

Susan — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:37:29 +0000

Harlowton’s Cream of the West is being featured on the State of Montana’s website in their business section. Go to this link to read up! And don’t forget to watch us tomorrow on QVC (3pm local time)!!

Press Release

Susan — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:35:19 +0000

Harlowton Hot Cereal to be Featured on QVC

Cream of the West, makers of the iconic ‘cowboy’ hot cereal in Harlowton, Montana, will feature some of their products on QVC on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 3:00 PM Mountain Time. It’s a big step and increased exposure for the nearly 100 year old Montana company.

“We almost didn’t make it!” said Alicia Moe, one of the owner/operators. “We were initially slated to be on QVC in November of 2010, but our tractor trailer load of products was caught in a big snowstorm back East and we missed our initial time slot.” It could’ve been disastrous; Cream of the West had produced and shipped 2,000 special packages, designed exclusively for QVC. The company learned of the new March time slot via an email just last week.

Cream of the West started making their 100% whole grain cereals in 1914. The company moved to Harlowton in 2002, and has expanded their offerings to include Flapjack Mix, Breading Mix, Snack Mix and a line of 100% organic products in addition to their 100% natural whole grain cereals.

Meet some of the team from Cream of the West at the Made in Montana Marketplace at the Great Falls Civic Center on March 25 and 26, 2010, tune in to see their products on QVC at 3:00 PM Mountain time on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, or visit Cream of the West online at www.creamofthewest.com for more information.

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Red Hat Ladies

Alicia — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:44:09 +0000

Red Hatters liven up CW’s St. Paddy’s Day!

Thought you would enjoy this picture of our visitors today. Ten Red Hat Ladies chose Cream of the West for their bimonthly outing. Seven “Castle Mountain Red Hats” travelled 60 miles east from White Sulphur Springs, some ”Moore Red Hats” – two to be exact – drove 45 miles south from Moore, and one lone “Harlo Hatter” came from down the street. Bobby took them on a plant tour, Alicia answered questions about the operation and Liane sold them Flapjack Mix, Seasoned Breading Mix and Crunch. Before they left, Bobby got hugs from every one of them….which he secretly enjoyed. He declares he has a way with the young and old – it’s the middle that causes the problems!

The Hatters were delightful…and a good time was had by all!!!

…this blog comes to you compliments of Liane & Alicia

Rompin’ Runaway Rodeo – A Numbers Story

Alicia — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:25:46 +0000

What’s it take to return one 2-day old Romping Runaway to his Moo-ing Mama?

2 cell phone calls
1 text message
2 4–wheelers
1 car
1 tractor
1 spotter
1 messenger
1 seeker
1 Border Collie
1 finder
2 hours

Which adds up to…

One Happy Ending!