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Missoula County Hosts Free Wellness Series to Support Farmers, Ranchers in Western Montana

Posted on January 08, 2026

Neighborhood Farms And Community Gardens

Farmers and ranchers across Western Montana are invited to participate in “Better Together: A Wellness Series for Farmers and Ranchers,” a free, in-person workshop series made possible through a newly awarded Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The series will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following Mondays: Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 9 and Feb. 23. It will be held in the Balsamroot Conference Room of the Exploration Center, located at 1075 South Ave. W. in Missoula. Registration and completion of a brief survey are required and available online.

The series, a partnership between MSU Extension of Missoula County and Deep Roots Montana, is designed specifically to support the mental, emotional and social well-being of agricultural producers facing increasing pressures related to climate uncertainty, market volatility, long work hours and isolation.

“Farmers and ranchers are incredibly resilient, but resilience does not mean going it alone,” said Sarah Holden, horticulture extension agent with MSU Extension in Missoula County. “This federal grant allows us to offer practical, evidence-based tools and create a supportive space where producers can connect, build skills and strengthen their well-being.”

Julie Engh Peters, co-owner of Red Hen Farm and Orchard in Missoula County and a certified life coach with Deep Roots Montana, will facilitate the workshops. Peters brings both lived farming experience and professional training in mindfulness, mental fitness and emotional regulation.

“This work is deeply meaningful — and deeply demanding,” Peters said. “We are offering this series as an act of gratitude and support for farmers and ranchers who give so much of themselves to their land and communities. Participants will leave with tangible practices they can realistically use in daily life.”Each session is interactive and hands-on, focusing on stress management, mindfulness, emotional agility and strategies for navigating uncertainty in agricultural life. Light refreshments will be provided.

This opportunity is open to producers from Lake, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties, as well as surrounding areas.

More information is available online or by calling the Extension Office at 406-258-4205.

Workshop Details

  • Series Title: Better Together: A Wellness Series for Farmers & Ranchers
  • Dates: Mondays, Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 9, Feb. 23
  • Time: 6-8 p.m.
  • Location: The Exploration Center, Balsamroot Conference Room,
    1075 South Ave. W., Missoula
  • Cost: Free
  • Eligibility: Farmers and ranchers in Western Montana

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