Vegetable Production on a Montana Farm
By Andrew Malucelli, Soil Conservationist-Ronan Field Office
July 14, 2015, the NRCS Ronan Field Office and the Lake County Conservation District offered their first-ever “Vegetable Production Tour” at Fresh Roots Farm in Polson, Montana. About 30 people attended and learned firsthand how owners, Darci Jones and Karl Sutton, grow organic vegetables for wholesale and farmers market. They also grow vegetable seed for organic seed retailers. Their produce is sold from Billings to Great Falls to Whitefish and everywhere in between through the Western Montana Growers Coop. Many people may be unaware, but if you live in Montana it is likely you have consumed produce from Western Montana Growers Coop, as the coop markets produce to many large-scale markets throughout the state.
Photo left: A “Vegetable Production Tour” was held July 14, 2025 at Fresh Roots Farm near Polson, Montana.
Photo middle: Using a moveable seasonal high tunnel on rails, Fresh Roots Farm is able to have a three-year crop rotation. Photo right: Carrot seed is produced at Fresh Roots Farm.
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Karl Sutton works full time on the 15-acre farm with 4 acres in vegetable production and a moveable high tunnel. With a 3-move high tunnel on rails, they are able to have a three-year crop rotation. They can move the tunnel to fit the crop needs while reducing the threat of diseases and pests. In a given year, they will overwinter kale in the tunnel and have a rye cover crop growing outside following one “move” of onions and one of tomatoes. Once it warms in the spring, the tunnel is moved so the kale doesn’t get too hot. The tunnel then covers transplanted tomatoes where the rye cover crop was previously growing. Four acres of produce may not seem like much until you see such an operation and gain an understanding of just how much product they are intensively producing on these small acres. You also come to appreciate how difficult and laborious the work actually is, especially without the use of herbicides!
Karl and Darci have also planted hundreds of trees and shrubs that buffer their fields from chemical drift. The buffer also increases pollinator and beneficial insect habitat. Since they grow many of their crops for seed, having lots of pollinators is essential. Some of their seed crops are first harvested for fresh market, and then allowed to fully mature for seed collection. NRCS assistance for these beginning growers has been instrumental by providing financial assistance for the plantings, seasonal high tunnel and micro-irrigation system, as well as helping them with organic nutrient management, pest monitoring, and adding single and multi-species cover crops into their rotation. Karl and Darci say that without NRCS assistance their business wouldn’t be flourishing as it is today - a testament to the value of NRCS programs and technical assistance.
Fresh Roots Farm continues to experiment with ways to improve fertility and weed control by using cover crops. In addition to winter rye, they are experimenting with planting a clover-oat-buckwheat mix between crop rows. The buckwheat is bringing in more pollinators, the oats and buckwheat are keeping the weeds down, and the clover is feeding their crops. Prior to the buckwheat going to seed, they weed whack the crop high and allow the rest to continue growing. Another field has benefited from a frost-killed cover crop which reduced the need for tillage.
The Fresh Roots Farm tour highlighted just one of the dozens of small-scale operations around Montana. These farmers are growing intensively on small acres while raising families and nourishing their communities. Overall it was great walk and a good opportunity to learn new ideas and to see the diversity of agriculture that is feeding Montana!
