Growing Together: A Big Win for Our Small Workshop
On Monday, December 1st, 2025, the Northern Pulse Growers Association and the Pacific Northwest Canola Association hosted what we assumed would be a low-key Grower Workshop at the Hilton Garden Inn in Great Falls, Montana. Instead, it became clear within minutes that “small workshop” wasn’t the right description at all, the room filled, then filled again, until it was standing-room only.
It was the best kind of surprise: growers showing up in a big way, ready for real conversations about rotation, policy shifts, opportunities on the horizon, and the challenges we’re all working through together.
The day opened with welcomes from NPGA Executive Director Shannon Berndt and PNWC Executive Director Karen Sowers, who were instrumental in designing a program that reflected the questions and priorities we hear directly from growers. Their planning and coordination set the tone for a smooth, well-paced, information-packed workshop.
From there, we moved into a grower panel that anchored the day. Chase Braidy (Fairfield), Erik Engellant (Geraldine), Matt McCabe (Ekalaka), and McKade Mahlen (Brockton) shared rotation insights from operations across Montana. Real, on-the-ground perspectives that sparked some of the most engaged discussion of the event.
Additional sessions rounded out the agenda with market updates, agronomic research, and policy intel from across the canola and pulse sectors, including:
- Shaun Haney, providing an ag policy outlook and a look at market dynamics affecting both canola and pulses
- Jim Elliot, sharing opportunities for winter canola in Montana
- Dale Flikkema and Todd Schultz, delivering Farm Bill and policy updates relevant to both industries
- Dr. Brian Jenks, digging into drought implications for weed control strategies
Throughout the day, growers asked questions, swapped notes, and kept the conversations going well into the social and poster session that wrapped the evening. The energy in the room said everything: Montana and regional growers are interested, engaged, and eager for more rotation-forward programming.
We also want to recognize the leadership of our NPGA board officers who joined us and continue to champion these regional collaborations:
- President Matt McCabe (Montana)
- Vice President McKade Mahlen (Montana)
- Secretary Gary Steier (North Dakota)