First Natural Resource Partnership (newly formed) Meeting

Joyce Swartzendruber, Laurie Zeller, Jeff Tiberi, Don Youngbauer, Pete Woll, Steve Hedstrom, Nicole McClain, Julie Ralston, Jane Holzer, Ray Beck, Jan Fontaine

Newly formed group of DNRC entities and NRCS.

DNRC building, Helena

Friday, January 7, 2011  9:00 a.m.

This group is modeled after a partnership group meeting Steve attended in Louisville, KY. 

Many issues were discussed: increasing population and requirement for increased food production, impact on natural resources from increased food production, importance of social marketing, need to use money more wisely and effectively by working together, importance of MT to global issues (1 in 7 don't have clean water), takes 8.2 thousand cows per day to feed NYC, importance of soil to water and production, need strong agricultural coverage in media, water is a hot-button issue.  It was decided that the group needs to get our message(s) across in the media.

Jeff will work with Joyce and her staff to prepare a press release focused on how much is consumed during the 90-day legislative session in Helena by legislators and others in town for the session.  The focus will be on the importance of agriculture.  This piece should be published prior to the Jan 20 Meet and Greet sponsored by the MACD.  The next meeting will be held Jan 21 at 9:00 in the same conference room of the DNRC building in Helena.