Governor visits local farm

The owners of the Wild Horse Lavender Farm don't get too many visitors, especially from Helena, but when the governor shows up, he gets a special tour of the place.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte visited the farm of Bruce Beckstead and Carissa McNamara some 10 miles west of Plains last Tuesday afternoon as part of his "56 County Tour." This was his 49th place to stop this year, said Kaitlin Price, the governor's press secretary. He made a stop at Superior School earlier in the day to discuss the removal of cellphones in the classroom.

"It's a great honor for him to visit our farm," said Thompson Falls resident Karrie Baldwin, McNamara's mother, who helps with the lavender farm. The governor stayed for just over 30 minutes, but he received a thorough tour of the 85-acre ranch, where they have about a quarter of an acre set aside for five English and French lavender species from 6to 22 inches tall. They had about 3,500 plants this year.

"As Governor Gianforte travels the state on his fourth annual 56 County Tour as governor, he is glad to recognize family run farms and ranches, small businesses and veterans, and to meet with Montanans where they live and work," said Price. Sanders County Commissioner Dan Rowan and Sanders County Extension Agents Juli Thurston and Wendy Carr were also present for the governor's visit.

"Our Montana producers are the innovators fueling our economy and supporting their family businesses. With over 27 value-added ag products, Wild Horse Lavender has an impressive operation," Gianforte wrote on Twitter after his visit. "Our Montana producers are the innovators fueling our economy and supporting their family businesses. With over 27 value-added ag products, Wild Horse Lavender has an impressive operation," said Gianforte. "The best and most important part of my job is meeting with Montanans where they live and work," he said. "We just like to highlight family businesses on the tour," said Price.

McNamara told the governor there are numerous uses for lavender, such as battling insomnia, headaches, acne, anxiety, plus it has skin benefits and helps heal wounds. She told the governor that they have learned a lot about lavender since starting the farm in 2019. She said lavender lowers blood pressure and has a "very calming effect" on people. Gianforte responded by asking if they could send a bunch to Washington, D.C.

"It helps regulate sebum production, reducing excess oiliness and preventing clogged pores," McNamara told him. He had the chance to take a sniff of pure lavender oil that was distilled at the Wild Horse Lavender Farm by a Portuguese made still. He also had a glass of homemade lemonade with a lavender syrup and said it tasted great.

McNamara's 11-year-old son John presented the governor with a batch of goodies, including a few of his award winning flowers, along with such items as a hand-poured lavender candle, restoration salve, lavender bath salts and lavender and chocolate lip balm.

"I was really impressed. I found out there's a whole cult following for lavender," said Gianforte, who also liked the idea that they work with the local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to feed the county within the county. "Agriculture, specifically small family agriculture, is incredibly important in Montana. We welcome the opportunity to share what we are doing in agriculture, so others are able to take something back to their own tables," said McNamara.

But the governor didn't just get a lesson on lavender. Beckstead talked about his vegetable crops. The governor was shown how every part of livestock animals can be useful. John might have stolen the show, giving Gianforte a lesson on his vast number of flower species. He even got his photo taken with the governor and his favorite flower, the snapdragon. John also showed Gianforte his "mouse motel" of over 100 mice of different ages and sizes, which he uses to feed his snakes. The governor said he enjoyed John's presentations. "He was impressive. He gives me hope for the future," he said.

"Having the governor take time to visit, and see our strides to support small family agriculture in our community, is invaluable. The governor had excellent questions and we were grateful for the amount of time he stayed on the farm," said McNamara, who was pleased that Gianforte took additional time with her son. "He had some great ideas for his flowers and we feel even more inspired that bridging the gap in agriculture can only happen with the involvement of our youth and the next generation of farmers and ranchers," she said.

"The farm is a place of soil science and learning and the study of pollinators, and how everything interacts as a perfect system. The farm is also a place of solace, and healing. Several times this year we hosted individuals and families that needed a reset in their lives," said McNamara.

Price said that supporting Montana producers to help them capture more of the value they create is a top priority for the governor. "To help small businesses, as well as family farms and ranches, the governor increased the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 in 2021 to $1 million, eliminating the tax burden for 5,000 Montana businesses," she said.