Cultivating organic seeds and genetically modified crops are among the topics farmers are meeting to discuss in the Flathead next week. The annual Montana Organic Association Conference is being held in the Flathead for the first time.
Judy Osowitz of Terrapin Farm in has been farming in rural Whitefish for 36-years.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes, I’ve seen a lot more demand for organic, I’ve seen a lot more supply of organic- which is a good thing, to have both, it’s wonderful,” Osowitz said.
Osowitz also cultivates plants for their seeds. There’s a burgeoning effort to create local, organic seed sources.
“One of our challenges here, as far as vegetable product goes, is we have short seasons. So, we want to be developing seeds that work in our short seasons,” Osowitz said.
What Osowitz called a “Seed 202” class is part of the upcoming Montana Organic Association Conference at Flathead Valley Community College December 12th through the 14th. Genetically Modified seeds and crops are also on the agenda.