Food Security in MT: the whole system from producer to consumer access

The City of Whitefish; planning in the midst of class gentrification in Montana

This is a follow-up episode to our 2024 episode on Housing in Montana [https://www.storiesforaction.org/podcast/episode/1fa837bb/housing-in-montana]. In that episode, we covered various facets of the housing crisis, to show the complexities that exist and paths of action forward.  In the episode, we looked at the process that Whitefish was taking to update their growth policy, with the housing crisis and growing pains being especially heightened there, as it has fully become a resort town, pushing working class locals out. Whitefish has been going through a thorough public input process over the past year, to inform the growth policy. Recently, a small special interest group proposed their own version of the Economic Development chapter of the growth policy, with several edits and censorships from the original. On May 21st, two weeks ago, the Whitefish Community Development Board voted to adopt this new draft, which many believe undermines the public's feedback and discredits the lengthy public input process. In this episode, we hear more about these happenings, and the larger story that it tells about wealth pushing local people out of their communities, transparent local planning, and having honest conversations about the impacts of high end tourism. This episode is largely to inform Whitefish residents of the changes, to contribute to their own research and engagement. And the episode can speak to communities everywhere, as similar degrees of pressures are being felt nation-wide.  We also hear from Nathan Dugan, Co-Founder of ShelterWF, about these recent events. ShelterWF is a grassroots organization in Whitefish, MT, advocating for policies & engagement that ensures communities and housing opportunities for working class folks in the Flathead Valley. LINKS: Vision Whitefish 2045 [https://engagewhitefish.com/vision-whitefish-2045] - Engage Whitefish-Growth Policy Update, join email newsletter, submit comments ShelterWF [https://www.shelterwf.org/], also on Instagram Northwest Montana Tenants Union [https://nwmttenantsunited.org/], also on Instagram Housing Whitefish [https://www.housingwhitefish.org/], also on Instagram Whitefish Community Development Board Meeting May 2025, Part 1 [https://youtu.be/bzlFTUgtURc?si=BpTwavcEVjSSQI5W]  Whitefish Community Development Board Meeting May 2025, Part 2 [https://youtu.be/5pTF7FpoWm4?si=dz5lFXfHRx9SQLMq]  Whitefish Pilot article on recent CDB Meeting [https://whitefishpilot.com/news/2025/may/28/board-hears-from-public-about-economic-development-chapter-of-growth-policy/] Whitefish Citizen Portal  [https://citizenportal.ai/Search/View?dp=1&key=3551368-5cee7829e9fb31a9d6a3a55cbca60486&start=590&end=651] File for Flathead County City Councils [https://flatheadcounty.gov/department-directory/election/candidate-filling#:~:text=Candidate%20filing%20for%20municipal%20positions,the%20Commissioner%20of%20Political%20Practices.] (Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls), deadline June 11th 2025 Housing in Montana [https://www.storiesforaction.org/podcast/episode/1fa837bb/housing-in-montana] - Stories for Action podcast episode, 2024 Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. Learn more about our film production, podcast, and story workshops for non-profit organizations: StoriesforAction.org [https://www.storiesforaction.org/]  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction [https://www.instagram.com/storiesforaction] #whitefish #whitefishmt #whitefishmontana #flathead #columbiafalls #kalispell #flatheadvalley #flatheadcounty #housing #Montana #housingcrisis #affordablehousing #406 #sustainability #economy #economicdevelopment  #housingpressures #rental #housingcrunch #community #tourism #thinklocal

The Sober Life: Recovery through community, in Montana & beyond

Addiction intersects with nearly all of our lives - directly or indirectly. Whether it's alcohol, pills, or other forms of drugs, addiction not only impacts the individual, but is felt through entire communities, having an immense impact on human life, economies, medical services, and more. But current mainstream pathways for addiction recovery in the U.S. are costly and can perpetuate vicious cycles of addiction. In this episode, we look at the topic of addiction and improved pathways to recovery, by focusing on the organization Alliance for Youth and one of their programs, The Sober Life, based in Great Falls, Montana. Their approach fills a critical gap by creating community and joy around sobriety, which has lead to long-term recovery success, with measurable impacts to public health, local economies, and overall community well-being. We hear from Alliance for Youth's Development Director, Thomas Risberg, and learn about the Wellbriety Movement, which provides culturally based healing for Native and non-Native folks. We also hear from participants and group leaders in The Sober Life's Red Road to Wellbriety program; Bobby Takes Enemy and Destiny.  This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, [https://www.headwatersmt.org/] working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org [http://www.storiesforaction.org/] or on FB [http://www.facebook.com/storiesforaction] & IG [https://www.instagram.com/storiesforaction] @StoriesforAction. LINKS: Alliance for Youth [https://www.allianceforyouth.org/] The Sober Life [https://www.allianceforyouth.org/the-sober-life] Substance Abuse Prevention Alliance of Cascade County [https://www.allianceforyouth.org/substance-abuse-prevention-alliance] Wellbriety with Don Coyhis - full talk [https://youtu.be/SIxAfenaJpw?si=zuEZvjfcbYzX78-c] White Bison, Inc. [https://whitebison.org/] Healing Together Conference [https://whitebison.org/events/healing-together-conference-2025/] (Colorado, June 2025) Hosted by Wellbriety Movement & other partners Wellbriety Movement [https://wellbrietymovement.com/]  Montana’s Peer Network [https://mtpeernetwork.org/?srsltid=AfmBOopYLp0jtmtRqFzhaugxNoJfLbvuLhmp0uF0pD0N0voWkpqhZlFv] Rocky Mountain Treatment Center [https://rehabrocky.com/?campaignid=22108278882&adgroupid=178982493051&creative=728668242672&matchtype=p&network=g&device=c&keyword=rocky%20mountain%20treatment%20center&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAw5W-BhAhEiwApv4goN0BQeDgsSS0tMkln5ILavNDnVegeJhDsy-oACwqSuFfSrrDdY8fSRoCLtMQAvD_BwE] - (Great Falls, MT)  Never Alone Recovery Support Services-NARSS [https://www.narssmontana.org/contactus] (Ronan, MT) Beautiful Minds Recovery [https://www.beautifulmindsrecovery.com/] - (Butte-Silver Bow County & Missoula County) Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Services [https://www.emcmhc.com/services/] - including substance abuse services, for adults & youth Services for Veterans [https://www.wmmhc.org/help-for-veterans] (Western Montana Mental Health Center) Eastern Montana Veterans Home [https://dphhs.mt.gov/healthcarefacilities/emvh/] (Glendive, MT) STEP, Inc. [https://step-inc.org/] - sober living (Billings, MT) Rimrock [https://www.rimrock.org/] - rehab services (Billings, MT) Many Rivers Whole Health [https://manyriverswholehealth.org/] (Kalispell, MT) Free Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Montana [https://rehabs.org/centers/montana/] Recovery Centers of Montana [https://www.recoverycentersofmontana.com/] MT Dept of Health & Human Services [https://dphhs.mt.gov/BHDD/SubstanceAbuse/index] - Substance Use Disorder Services & Resources Addiction Recovery: A Systematized Review [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7215253/]  Effects of Social Support and 12 step involvement [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6803054/], article Role of Recovery Support Services in Addiction Recovery [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6419765/], article  SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline] - Helpline SAMHSA Treatment Locator [https://findtreatment.gov/] Info for family members of those experiencing addiction [https://www.recoveryanswers.org/resource/guide-family-members/] Western Montana Health Center [https://www.wmmhc.org/children-adolescents], Youth Services Neighborworks Montana [https://www.nwmt.org/] - home lending & ownership resources statewide “The Montana Legislative Session from an Indigenous Perspective” [https://www.storiesforaction.org/podcast/episode/2068b936/the-montana-legislative-session-from-an-indigenous-perspective] - Stories for Action podcast episode     #recovery #addiction #addictionrecovery #rehab #sober #sobriety #soberlife #greatfalls #montana #community #localleadership #peersupportservices #recoverysupportservices #alcoholic #alcohol #406 #meth #fentanyl #drugfree #alcoholfree #health #publichealth #healthyliving #prevention #youth #kratom #vaping #methinmontana

Rivers, Community, & a Call for Reconnection

In this episode, we hear about different community-guided and collaborative efforts taking place around river health (and therefore the well-being of the land and people), in the region of Missoula, Montana. You'll hear from those whose lives connect to these rivers; to inspire ways for folks to engage, but also to gain insight to all of the moving parts that contribute to a healthy community and watershed. This episode is the recording of a panel and community discussion we hosted after a screening of the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River [https://www.lifeintheland.org/upperyellowstoneriver] in Missoula in November 2024. The panel includes Brian Chaffin (Executive Director of Clark Fork Coalition [https://clarkfork.org/]), Jennifer Harrington (Director of UM's Native American Natural Resource Program [https://www.umt.edu/native-american-natural-resource/]), Sarah Christensen (area rancher, Pintler Mountain Beef [https://pintlermountainbeef.com/]), and Travis Craft (area fishing guide, Thunder Hammer Fly Fishing [https://thunderhammerflyfishing.com/]).  The event was co-hosted by Jessie Thomas of Sustainable Wellness [https://www.sustainablewellness.net/] , whose philosophy is "the world needs us to show up for ourselves and each other. Your health is where we start". The event was also hosted by the International Wildlife Film Festival [https://wildlifefilms.org/] and The Roxy Theater [https://www.theroxytheater.org/].  Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org [http://www.storiesforaction.org/] or on FB [http://www.facebook.com/storiesforaction] & IG [https://www.instagram.com/storiesforaction] @StoriesforAction. LINKS: Clark Fork Coalition [https://clarkfork.org/] UM's Native American Natural Resource Program [https://www.umt.edu/native-american-natural-resource/] Thunder Hammer Fly Fishing [https://thunderhammerflyfishing.com/] Pintler Mountain Beef [https://pintlermountainbeef.com/] Tribal Consultation Policy & Practice [https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11686/]: Jennifer Harrington's Graduate Thesis, regarding CSKT involvement with Superfund process Frenchtown Smurfit Stone Community Advisory Group [https://www.facebook.com/FrenchtownCAG/%20] PLWA - Public Land Water Access Association [https://www.plwa.org/] Article: Bitterroot landowner proposes fences across Mitchell Slough [https://missoulacurrent.com/fences-mitchell-slough/] Sustainable Wellness [https://www.sustainablewellness.net/] The Redside Foundation [https://www.redsidefoundation.org/] - providing health and support services for the outdoor guiding community Life in the Land [http://www.lifeintheland.org] The gathering that this episode was recorded at, was made possible through a grant from the Montana Forest Collaboration Network [https://montanaforestcollaboration.org/app/] and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council [https://www.mtwatersheds.org/]. We thank them for their support of the Life in the Land project.   #rivers #Montana #collaborativeconservation #superfund #agriculture #familyranching #ranching #watershed #clarkfork #bitterrootriver #blackfootriver #bitterrootvalley #community #rural #water #cleanwater #publicland #river #fishing #flyfishing #montanafishing #Montanarivers #getoutside #collaborate #stewardship #conservation

In the Nation of Timor-Leste: Witnessing renewal & reconnection

In the Summer of 2024, I was fortunate to visit the country of Timor-Leste, in Southeast Asia. This trip was through a professional exchange program hosted by The Mansfield Center and the Department of State. I worked with a local filmmaker in Timor-Leste, Salvador de Jesus, to host workshops for youth about filmmaking & elevating story for advocacy purposes. This episode shares about this time…including perspectives shared by Timorese people and my own perspectives gained from this mere glimpse into a place…glimpses of cultural revival and cultural evolution, human/environment relationships, stories of resistance to oppression and fights for freedom, absorbing the contagious excitement of a younger generation, and learning through observation & interaction. Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org [http://www.storiesforaction.org/] or on FB [http://www.facebook.com/storiesforaction] & IG [https://www.instagram.com/storiesforaction] @StoriesforAction. LINKS: The Mansfield Center [https://www.umt.edu/mansfield/about/default.php] YSEALI Fellowship and other Mansfield exchange programs [https://www.umt.edu/mansfield/programs/default.php] Metresi Productions (Timorese filmmaker Salvador de Jesus): Website [https://salvadordejesus.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFNdupleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT8_BO-TXHck2Sda7QrvDC56OPi_K99eBqhRC5LKKQLLxz9BjlwWG_YFdw_aem_gd2qkHJatoPogpcEmlB0pg]  IG: @metresi_production [https://www.instagram.com/metresi_production/]  FB: Filme Deit House Production [https://www.facebook.com/FilmeDeitHouseProduction/]  Commission for Reception, Truth, & Reconciliation CAVR, Timor-Leste [http://www.cavr-timorleste.org/te/] History overview of Timor-Leste [https://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=29&lang=en] Centro Audiovisual Max Stahl Timor-Leste [https://tekeemedia.com/camstl/] Fundaceo Oriente [https://www.foriente.pt/a-fundacao/delegacoes/timor-leste], Timor-Leste Rotaract Club of Dili, [https://www.facebook.com/p/Rotaract-Club-of-Dili-Timor-Leste-100064819383318/]Timor-Leste Laudato Si'Movement Timor-Leste [https://www.facebook.com/lsa.timorleste/]   #Timorleste #timor-leste #timor #easttimor #travel #southeastasia #yseali #mansfield #exchangeyourworld #usdepartmentofstate #filmindustry #womeninfilm #tourism #asia #indonesia #travelabroad #culture #statedept  #travelpodcast

Food Security in MT: the whole system from producer to consumer access

In Montana, 1 out of 9 people (and 1 in 6 children) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to lead a healthy life, or don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. This lack of access can be financial or physical, for those who are in rural areas far from delivery routes. We know that food is essential for life and therefore essential for our communities to thrive. So how do we improve this access…for those who are in a tight financial position, or to support our local farmers & ranchers in order to build momentum for a more localized food system, and therefore more secure supply chains? In this episode, we look at the full system of food security in Montana; from producer to consumer, hearing about the reality of the situation, pathways to improvement & engagement, and we hear about locally-guided entities across the state doing incredible work to improve food security in their community. Interviews feature the Child Nutrition Manager & Policy Director from the Montana Food Bank Network [http://www.mfbn.org], and the Specialist for the Eastern Montana Food & Ag Development Center [https://gndc.org/food-ag-development-center/]. This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, [https://www.headwatersmt.org] working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. LINKS: Featured: Montana Food Bank Network [https://mfbn.org/] - find your local food bank on their map MT Food Bank Network Backpack Program [https://mfbn.org/backpack-program/] MT Food Bank Network School Pantry Program [https://mfbn.org/school-pantry-program/] Great Northern Development Corporation [https://gndc.org/] Eastern Montana Food and Ag Development Center [https://gndc.org/food-ag-development-center/] Headwaters Foundation [https://www.headwatersmt.org/] (episode sponsors and supporters of food security efforts in Western Montana) Some Food Pantries & Access Resources: Helping Hands [https://helpinghandsfoodbank.com/] - Hardin, MT Missoula Food Bank [https://missoulafoodbank.org/] Mobile Market [https://www.gardencityharvest.org/mobile-market], for Missoula area Seniors, Garden City Harvest Billings Food Bank [https://billingsfoodbank.com/] Flathead Food Bank [https://flatheadfoodbank.org/] - Kalispell, MT Livingston Food Resource Center [https://livingstonfrc.org/] Hunters Against Hunger, MFBN Program  [https://mfbn.org/hunters-against-hunger/] Montana Veterans Meat Locker [https://www.montanaveteransmeatlocker.org/] The Producer Partnership [https://www.producerpartnership.com/] Custer County Food Bank [https://www.facebook.com/CusterCountyFoodBank/] - Miles City, MT Havre Food Bank [https://hrdc4.org/food-bank/] SW Montana Veterans Food Pantry  [https://www.swmtvetsfoodpantry.org/] SNAP in Montana [https://dphhs.mt.gov/HCSD/SNAP] WIC in MT [https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/] - Women, Infants, & Children - food support Summer EBT, Sun Bucks, Information [https://opi.mt.gov/Leadership/Management-Operations/School-Nutrition/Summer-EBT] Families: text “FOOD” to 304-304 to see nearby summer meal locations or visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals [https://www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals?_gl=1*1a5eodr*_gcl_au*MTg0NjIzNzQzOS4xNzIzNjcxMzU1]  Native-led Food Sovereignty Programs: FAST Blackfeet [https://www.fastblackfeet.org/] People’s Food Sovereignty Program [https://peoplesfoodsoverei.wixsite.com/my-site] - CSKT People's Food Sovereignty Program - Stories for Action podcast episode [https://www.storiesforaction.org/podcast/episode/22485f23/indigenous-self-determination-through-political-advocacy-and-food-sovereignty-patrick-yawakie] Joe & Kathy Kipp of Blackfeet Nation - Stories for Action podcast episode [https://www.storiesforaction.org/podcast/episode/20392308/life-in-the-land-blackfeet-nation-joe-and-kathy-kipp-stewardship-as-a-rancher-and-community-advocacy] Rocky Boy Sustainability & Food Sovereignty Program [https://www.facebook.com/p/Rocky-Boy-Sustainability-100064661832995/] Woicago Tipi Cooperative Farm [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1468-0424.12664] - Fort Peck Yellow Bird Life Ways Center [https://www.yellowbirdlifeways.org/] - Northern Cheyenne Day Eagle Hope Project [https://www.dayeagle.org/] - Fort Belknap All Nations Health Center [https://www.allnations.health/] - Missoula  Resources for Food Producers:  MT Food & Ag Development Centers [https://agr.mt.gov/Food-and-Ag-Development-Centers] Montana Cooperative Development Center [https://mcdc.coop/] MT Department of Agriculture [https://agr.mt.gov/index] Grow Through Agriculture grant [https://agr.mt.gov/GTA] Business Enhancement Program [https://agr.mt.gov/_docs/FADC-docs/BEP-Graphic-2024-V10.pdf] (food/ag) Business Acceleration & Marketing grant [https://agr.mt.gov/Topics/E-G/GTA-Pages/GTA-BAM] (food/ag) Value Added Producer grant [https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants] Food Hubs & Localizing MT Food Systems: Abundant Montana [https://abundantmontana.com/] - connect producers and customers to local food sources Hopa Mountain [https://www.hopamountain.org/local-food-for-local-families] Farm Connect MT [https://farmconnectmontana.org/] (Formerly CFAC) Trust Montana [https://trustmontanaclt.org/] - community land trusts Western Montana Growers Co-op [https://www.wmgcoop.com/] Montana Food Hub [https://www.montanafoodhub.com/] - Great Falls & North Central MT Rolling Plains Co-op [https://rollingplainscoop.com/index.php] - Northeast Montana Yellowstone Valley Food Hub [https://www.yvfoodhub.com/] Old Salt Co-op [https://www.oldsaltco-op.com/pages/meat-processing] Montana Cooperative Development Center [https://mcdc.coop/] The Farm Bill [https://sustainableagriculture.net/our-work/campaigns/fbcampaign/what-is-the-farm-bill/#what-does] USDA funding for localized food [https://www.ams.usda.gov/node/40282/latest?auHash=Yhm3tH7z9FsKV2cH9vo44SLVR8YWLoAHuilCkoutx2g]: announced Fall 2024 Find your Montana Legislators  [https://www.legmt.gov/districts/] Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org [http://www.StoriesforAction.org] or on FB [http://www.facebook.com/storiesforaction] & IG [https://www.instagram.com/storiesforaction] @StoriesforAction.     #storiesforaction #food #local #localfood #foodsecurity #foodinsecurity #montana #406 #montanafarm #montanaranch #snap #foodbank #montanafoodbank #hungry #foodaccess #community #communitydevelopment #rural #farmersmarket #housing