Observations of the 2016 Montana Seed Show

Reporter's note: When my wife and I moved to this area I was not familiar with the annual Montana Seed Show held in Harlem. My first year attending I was a bit overwhelmed trying to take in all the activities and events. By the second year I had a better understanding of what would and did happen during the show. This is my third year attending and rather than try to report on every event, I decided to highlight some of the new events and reflect a bit on the activities that happen every year, the latter happenings that give the show its unique and interesting flavor.

The Montana Seed Show in Harlem is said to be the oldest event of its kinds still running in Montana. The seed show began as a way to showcase the seed potatoes that defined a large part of the farming activity of the region in the 1940's. Over the years the show has 'morphed' into a much different event. The agricultural basis still underpins the show but additions now reflect the interests of the region and the show remains strong after more than six decades.

I was reminded of this history when, several times during the show, I saw Elsie Bertelsen. As best anyone can determine, she's the only surviving member of the original committee charged with planning and launching the first seed show. While many new volunteers have stepped up to assure the seed show continues, Elsie is still a part of the event and was connected from the beginning of the show.

In the agricultural area many new seeds, seed varieties and crops have entered the region. I noticed one commercial exhibit from an elevator in Hingham that focused on 'pulse' crops. Many of those crops were unheard of when the seed show began. Organic farming is another new wrinkle in agriculture that seems to be gaining traction in the region. Still, the bases of the show is all about agriculture.

Changes in agriculture are also reflected in the machinery being showcased. More recent shows have displayed some very large, sophisticated farm and ranch equipment that have changed how agriculture happens in the area-meaning greater efficiencies and reduced needs for manpower unimagined when the show first began in the late 1940's.

Commercial exhibits, once confined to agricultural needs, now cover a wide variety of products and services. Triangle Communications, at the 2016 show, featured virtual reality goggles. The device uses a smartphone, and apps, to create virtual games and travel. The goggles user is transported to a multi-dimensional virtual reality. Triangle reps described the experience as "traveling the world without leaving your chair." Much different than when seed show began in the 1940's when area travel was, at best, sometimes primitive and vehicles not so reliable.

Speaking of vehicles, this year's car and tractor show was large. The high school shop was jammed with examples of tractors and vehicles from a by-gone era. Yet the visitors checking out the vehicles used the occasion to recall a family car, tractor or truck that brought back fond memories. Those old vehicles are a far cry from virtual reality goggles.

The art and quilt displays provide an interesting combining of the past and the present. Quilts, once made for function, and some decorative value, are now an art form. Man has always done art, but new techniques and new media give viewers fresh insights and ways to appreciate the sights of the prairie and mountains. Art is another melding of the past and the present that is much appreciated by the attendees at the seed show.

I have no idea when the health fair became a mainstay of the show, but its popularity seems to be growing. Perhaps it's simply a reflection of a new interest in preventive medicine as guests dutifully avoid breakfast and show up at 6am to have diagnostic tests run. From what I know of the 1940's, most people only went to the doctor when absolutely necessary and much of the sophisticated testing has come about in only the last few decades. Sandi Bell, with the group doing the diagnostic testing, said nearly 200 people came for the testing opportunity, up more than ten percent from 2015 which had a record number of people having tests run.

Even the special interest classes reflect a change over the decades. The farm safety presentation reflects the recognition that safe farms and ranches mean better income and a reduction in human suffering by agricultural workers. A class on financial planning for women shows a change in how society thinks about women and money. I recall my own grandmother, on the farm in Illinois 60 years ago, didn't even know how to write a check, let alone think about making a financial plan.

One set of events that does seem little changed is the pie and baking competitions. While some accommodation for bread machines have been added, the baking competitions tend to remain fairly consistent. After all, people have to eat and a nice homemade loaf of bread or pie is always appreciated. Don't look for this part of the seed show to change very much.

One last word about how things have changed and how they have stayed the same at the seed show-volunteers. An important reason the seed show survived for nearly seven decades is the willingness of a large number of volunteers who make the event happen. From the committee that begins planning the event months in advance to the servers who make the closing meal so memorable, volunteers make the seed show a success. Thank you volunteers for your role in prior, current and future seed shows. Your work is appreciated. Great job, again, in 2016!

So, the upshot of my observations is the Montana Seed Show is a survivor. Like farmers, ranchers, business owners, employees and families, changes are necessary to survive. Who can say what future seed shows will look like? That is likely impossible to say, but rest assured there'll be some things that remain, some changes and always a need for lots of volunteers.