Montana Harvest Haven

History of Montana's Harvest Haven

The Montana Harvest Haven is a community garden project initiated in early 2023, measuring 220’ x 72’ to be developed in stages. Part of the people's garden will be a peaceful and colorful haven of flowers planted by the community, and the crop garden will be seeded with Montana crops such as sugar beets and wheat, as well as other crops such as hops and common vegetables. Originally created by MSU Yellowstone County Extension, North40Ag, and MetraPark, Montana's Harvest Haven has quickly grown in partnership and vision. Agri-Organics joined the team to continue the improvement of this unique garden at the MetraPark facilities.

This space will be used for education, such as the Ag in The Classroom program, The Soil your Undies event, and Master Gardener and Horticulture classes. In addition to Harvest Haven, Yellowstone County Extension will provide garden space and resources for local youth and their families. The hope is that this space can benefit community members from across the county, with opportunities for agriculture and horticulture education as well as skill building.

Growth of Montana Harvest Haven in Heritage Park

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Knowing this would be a multi-year process, MetraPark staff started off in spring of 2023 by utilizing footing from horse barns to fill the space, with hopes to improve the soil in the future. At the start of 2024, Agri-Organics joined to offer additional nutrients and better materials to be added to build off the soil's productivity and expand into an adjacent garden and planter boxes lining the walkway through Heritage Park which are planted with various flowers, vegetables, and roma tomato plants. Various fruit trees have also been added along the barrier of the garden to add shade, education, and complete the beautification of the area.

The team will continue to improve this area and projects that increase community engagement such as the people's garden offering products for a garden swap, the fair's annual scavenger hunt, and a future farm to table dinner. This area creates a great opportunity for visitors at the MontanaFair to stroll through Heritage Park and Montana Harvest Haven to learn more about agriculture, and the history of the fair and grounds. We will continue to document the process and encourage everyone to go check out the space at the upcoming fair in August of 2025.

Adopt a Garden

There is a new opportunity to participate in the MontanaFair by donating to the gardens on MetraPark grounds year-round. As an individual, family, business or other, we invite you to share items to be planted in our donation boxes. We are also looking for sponsors for items to be purchased and planted by community volunteers, as well as those interested in planting and caring for items in a box of your choice. Contact the MontanaFair office for more information.

Promote Ag!

MontanaFair's Current Community Partners:
* Abundant Montana - 33x33
* Agri-Organics
* Billings Chamber Agriculture Committee
* MSU Extension-Yellowstone County

MontanaFair is always looking for partners to help increase awareness and educational opportunities in agriculture for the community!