Western Montana is home to some of the most vibrant agricultural communities in the region, where farmers, ranchers, growers, and food makers are deeply connected to the land and to one another. The Western Montana Food & Farm Trail, created by Farm Connect Montana, invites residents and visitors to explore this landscape through a self guided adventure that highlights local farms, farmers markets, u-pick orchards, creameries, breweries, CSAs, food hubs, and agritourism experiences.
Built as both a practical guide and a storytelling tool, the Food & Farm Trail helps people discover where their food comes from, meet the people who grow it, and understand the cultural and ecological importance of local agriculture. It is an invitation to reconnect with Western Montana’s rural roots and celebrate the producers who nourish the region.
A Project of Farm Connect Montana
The Food & Farm Trail is operated by Farm Connect Montana, a nonprofit dedicated to building a stronger and more resilient local food system. Farm Connect works across the state to support farmers, ranchers, food businesses, and regional supply chains. Their mission centers on strengthening relationships between producers and consumers, increasing access to local food, and elevating the economic sustainability of Montana agriculture.
Farm Connect provides resources, market links, technical assistance, farmer support networks, educational outreach, and collaborative partnerships that help local producers thrive. The Food & Farm Trail is one of their signature tools for bridging the gap between rural producers and the broader community.
What the Food & Farm Trail Offers
The Western Montana Food & Farm Trail is a downloadable and printable map, along with an online directory that guides you through dozens of agricultural stops across Missoula, Ravalli, and surrounding counties. The trail includes:
• Farms and Ranches
Visit vegetable farms, regenerative ranches, heritage grain growers, flower farms, honey producers, and specialty crop operations. Many welcome visitors at designated times and offer on farm sales, u picks, or tours.
• Farmers Markets
Connect with weekly markets in communities across the region, discover seasonal produce, and meet the farmers face to face.
• Orchards, Vineyards, and U Picks
Montana’s cherries, berries, and orchard fruits have a long history. Several family owned orchards and berry farms invite you to pick your own or enjoy seasonal tastings.
• Dairies, Cheesemakers, and Bakeries
Creameries, artisan cheese operations, sourdough bakeries, and specialty food makers offer a taste of Montana’s handcrafted foods.
• Breweries, Cideries, and Distilleries
Breweries and cider makers along the trail often source local fruit, herbs, hops, or grains, reflecting the region’s agricultural heritage.
• Farm Stands and Food Hubs
Discover places where local growers collaborate to make their produce widely available, supporting both rural livelihoods and regional food access.
Why the Trail Matters
The Western Montana Food & Farm Trail is more than a scenic drive. It strengthens Montana’s food system by:
Supporting Local Producers
When customers buy directly from farmers and ranchers, more food dollars stay in the community.
Increasing Food Access
The trail introduces residents to multiple ways to bring local produce into their homes, from farm stands to CSAs to weekly markets.
Encouraging Agritourism
Visitors learn firsthand how food is grown, how land is stewarded, and what challenges and opportunities Montana farmers face.
Celebrating Culture and Landscape
Western Montana’s agricultural traditions are inseparable from its land, waters, and communities. The trail helps preserve these stories and share them with new generations.
A Welcoming Experience for All
Whether you are a longtime Missoulian, a visitor passing through, or a family looking for a meaningful weekend outing, the Food & Farm Trail offers something to explore:
- A scenic drive through the Bitterroot Valley
- A day of berry picking or orchard wandering
- A chance to bring home fresh Montana produce
- A deeper understanding of how local farmers grow food sustainably
- Kid friendly stops like pumpkin patches, farm animals, and educational tours
The trail can be traveled in a single afternoon or stretched across a season. Each stop is unique, and many change offerings throughout the year.
How to Get Started
You can explore the trail here:
👉 https://farmconnectmontana.org/connect/western-montana-food-farm-trail
Farm Connect Montana also offers:
- A searchable directory of producers
- A downloadable PDF map
- Farm and market hours
- Special events and seasonal opportunities
- Stories and profiles of Montana growers
These tools make it easy to plan a route that fits any schedule, interest, or appetite.
Be Part of the Trail
- Farms open for visits, u-picks, farmstands
- Farmers markets, market vendors, CSAs and locally sourced food businesses
- Agritourism experiences (tours, workshops, farm-to-table dinners, events, etc.)
- Restaurants, food trucks, and craft beverage purveyors with strong local sourcing
To participate, you simply need to:
- Have a physical location where visitors can collect a passport stamp (staffed or self-serve). Farm Connect provides stamps and materials.
- Complete a short sign-up form — it takes 5 minutes. We handle the rest. Deadline to sign up has been extended to December 18.
Strengthening Western Montana’s Food Future
Farm Connect Montana’s work on the Food & Farm Trail is part of a broader vision for a resilient and equitable food system. By supporting small farms, strengthening regional supply chains, and growing connections between communities and local producers, the organization helps ensure that Montana’s food economy remains healthy for years to come.
The trail highlights the richness of the local agricultural landscape and celebrates the people whose daily work shapes the food on our tables. It invites all of us to slow down, explore, taste, learn, and build relationships that sustain both land and community.
