By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager Garlic in May snow. Photo: NCAT Rain over the SIFT farm. Photo: NCAT Many factors can affect the weather in southwest Montana. The region is classified as a high-mountain dessert. With very little precipitation in the… more »

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager Depending on where you live, a pile of compost may bring in some unwanted guests. Sometimes it’s not necessarily the food scraps they are after, but the worms and bugs that thrive in this micro-environment. Rodents,… more »

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager How much does a homegrown tomato cost? Often, a home gardener will spend more than the cost at the grocery store to grow fresh food. Considering that homegrown food is arguably healthier, has less of a footprint, and… more »

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager The U.S. price for high-quality wool as a textile is up above $4 per pound. Thinner and more uniform fibers create a much softer and less scratchy fabric. Ranchers in the wool business are selecting breeds that have… more »

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager Drip irrigation lined out across SIFT garlic and strawberry plots. Photo: NCAT Getting enough water to plants is essential in these high mountain deserts. If plants dry out too much, they will get fried beyond being… more »