Opinion

Managing stress in the agriculture industry

Article Image Alt Text

For many years, farmers and ranchers have proven to be honorable stewards of Montana land, always taking care of their crops and animals. This devotion to our state and keeping our land healthy is intentional and takes hard work by each individual. Just like farmers and ranchers care for their land and livestock, it is equally important that they take care of themselves. There are many challenges in the agriculture industry that are unique and can put a strain on producers. Natural events like fires, drought and flooding, as well as economic circumstances including fuel prices, commodity prices and inflation can all be contributors to stress. Another major challenge is the inclusion of family members in the business, and how to pass on that business entity to the next generation. In addition to those stressors, the isolation many producers feel and the distance they would need to travel to receive mental health services makes receiving help to manage that stress very difficult.

If you believe in evolution, this is de-evolution

Dear Editor,

Identifying the young men in Arro Confectionery photo

Dear Editor,

Pro-Choice is an important element in the abortion debate

Article Image Alt Text

The Supreme Court has reversed a 50-year-old highly controversial issue on abortion and recognized the issue must be determined by state governments under our Federal Constitution—reinforced “Federalism” which is the Constitutional foundation of American government. Abortion is an emotional issue and during my younger years as a Democrat Party activist, I developed a pro-choice position. I am still strongly pro-choice as a constitutional political historian— choices are made by the men and women involved in relationships.

Achieving educational excellence through local control

Article Image Alt Text

State funding has never been removed from a school due to not meeting state accreditation standards. State accreditation standards measure how schools achieve educational excellence. The current accreditation system is twofold: (1) assurances as adult staffing ratios with programming standards and (2) student academics. Even if the assurance standards are met, the measure of academic success requires only 15% of students to receive a C grade or better to be state accredited. This old one-size-fits-all top-down accreditation is not working as the system focuses more on adults than our students. This is unacceptable to me, Montana parents, and Montana teachers alike. The common-sense approach is to allow locally elected trustees to uphold the Constitutional responsibilities granted to them in Article X, Section 8 – “The supervision and control of schools in each school district shall be vested in a board of trustees” – to follow their powers and duties as outlined in statute, §20-3-324, MCA, and allow communities and families to determine what is best for their students, their children, and the future of their community.

A GLANCE BACK

Article Image Alt Text

June 11, 1992

Petition to the King of Kings

Dear Editor,

Open rodeo?

Dear Editor,

Do the unborn have rights?

Dear Editor,

Renewable energy can help keep the lights on affordably

Article Image Alt Text

In almost any conversation about shifting to 100% zero carbon energy, it is inevitable that someone will bring up reliability of the electricity system. “The wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine.” What is left unsaid is that these energy resource limitations are only true to specific locations and apply to every type of energy resource. Multiple recent events in Texas show that gas doesn’t always flow. Closer to home, plants such as Colstrip are often down for both planned and unplanned repairs, including Unit 3 being down this April and May.