Tucked within the forested North Moccasin Mountains lies central Montana’s best-preserved ghost town, Kendall. The town site makes a great destination for a scenic drive and a chance to wander through century-old stone buildings. A kiosk at each ruin provides historical information about the building and a picture of it during the town’s boom years.  

We thought 2020 was a hard year but it turns out 2021 has been even more challenging. Across our state, farmers and ranchers facing drought, grasshoppers, and wildfires, are making tough decisions about how to keep their operations afloat. Small businesses across the state are struggling with labor shortages and rising costs.

Long before canning was the go-to preservation method, people preserved foods through drying. I started with dried apples and kale chips. Both barely made it out of the dehydrator before being eaten. Now I use the dehydrator to stay ahead of the zucchini by slicing and seasoning to make a wonderful snack.

Fall favorites including a pasta with fall harvest vegetables and, of course, apple pie.

When the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame (MPRHWF) was organized over 16 years ago, the mission was severalfold. They were dedicated to preserving the western and rodeo heritage of Montana, as well as contributing financially to Montana high school students set on continuing their education.

When Codi talks about Jasper, there’s pride in her voice. He’s been a huge part of her life. Codi purchased him as a weanling, and over the years she trained him and has shown him in competitions across the state and nation. If ever there was a story of a girl and her horse, it’s Codi and Jasper.

It’s Monday morning at Cowboy Meats in Forsyth, Montana, and all hands are on deck. In the processing room, a team of eight is custom-cutting a beef carcass. As the quarters of beef come in from the hanging room, they are broken down into smaller portions and then laid atop two tables where butchers are standing shoulder to shoulder.

Often referred to as the “lazy gardener’s” time, planting for fall harvests is a way to make the most of our short growing season. The beauty of planting a fall garden is that you can plant a second crop of your favorite spring vegetables with barely any pest pressure, since it’s out of sync with their lifecycles, along with not needing to weed or water nearly as much. 

Seven years ago, Jordan Grindheim would never have believed that one day she would be raising pigs to sell to 4-H and FFA kids. Jordan started showing pigs when she was 9, purchasing them from a breeder and finishing them in time for the county fair.

Labor Day 1952 was a particularly deadly holiday weekend, when six people lost their lives in traffic accidents near Missoula. Floyd Eaheart, of Montana American Legion Hellgate Post No. 27, wanted to do something about it, something to recognize these tragedies that would also help prevent more grief in the future. The result is something Montana drivers see as they travel on state highways, city streets and side streets: cross-shaped fatality markers. 

The smell of fried donuts permeated the air around the tiny food truck as Andy Beavers stayed busy inside, whipping up a fresh batch of the fried sweetened dough. Parked in front of his family’s house, located five miles outside of Powell, Wyoming, Andy and his mom, Erin, worked well together as Erin rolled the dough and cut out the shapes and Andy placed them one by one in the hot oil.

A selection of the best side dishes for your next summer barbecue!

As each child became old enough, they were offered the opportunity to do 4-H, and each of them did. Animal projects became a way of life and today, with only the youngest, Bailey and Allie, left at home, close to 100 animals still share the property with the family.

To say raising sheep is in Kevin Halverson’s blood would not be an exaggeration. Kevin and his wife, Shirley, run 650 head of Rambouillet and Targhee sheep on Lower Deer Creek in Sweet Grass County. It’s something he’s done his entire life, having purchased his first lamb at age 7. 

The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale has become so well known in commemorating the saddle bronc challenge that it has been dubbed the Cowboy Mardi Gras.

When the chutes finally open during the Home of Champions Rodeo over the Fourth of July weekend, it will be a huge celebration. After a year’s absence, everyone in the rodeo community is more than ready to “let ’er buck.” 

This issue’s recipes were selected with a crowd in mind.

Passing on traditions has long been a part of the lifestyle of the West. An older adult teaching a younger one an art or skill to prepare them for life. Art of the Cowgirl was founded with that in mind.

With gardening season just around the corner, it’s time to start planning ways to ensure that plants have the best growing conditions possible. 

By carving his name on the side of a large sandstone rock in 1810, John Colter may have unintentionally created his own monument.