EAST HELENA, MT – In celebration of National Agriculture Week, the Lewis & Clark County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) visited Eastgate Elementary School to share the story of agriculture with the next generation.

The group invited Governor Greg Gianforte to join them in reading to a kindergarten class and teaching students where ice cream comes from, connecting their favorite treat back to hardworking dairy farmers.

“Many people don’t know where their food comes from, which is why it’s so important to share our story—especially with the next generation,” said Kayla Christians, a member of the Lewis & Clark County YF&R. “Seeing these students light up as they learned about dairy farming was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”

Gov. Gianforte read Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish, an educational book that follows a young boy named Chuck as he learns how milk from dairy cows is turned into his favorite treat—ice cream. Through the story, students discovered the hard work that farmers and ranchers put in every day to bring food from the farm to their tables.

After the governor read the book, the students got to enjoy ice cream themselves—bringing the lesson to life in the best way possible. They shared their sweet treat with the YF&Rs and Governor Gianforte, making for a fun and memorable way to celebrate Montana agriculture.

“Thanks to our hardworking ag producers, Montana’s world-class beef, wheat, grains, and other products nourish the world,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This National Ag Week, Montanans of all ages join in saying thank you to the generations of farmers and ranchers for their hard work and dedication.”

National Agriculture Week, celebrated annually, highlights the contributions of farmers and ranchers who work every day to feed the nation. The event in East Helena was part of a larger effort to promote agricultural literacy and ensure young Montanans understand the role the industry plays in their lives.

The Lewis & Clark County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers is committed to promoting agricultural awareness and supporting the next generation of producers. Events like this help strengthen the connection between consumers and the hardworking farmers and ranchers who feed them.