If ever there was an explanation of what keeps many American farmers exclusively focused on the global commodity game - even if they and their communities are losing because of it - it's thinking like this:

From a story in the Great Falls Tribune covering the Montana Grain Growers conference:

[Conference speaker Tom] Morgan, the one-time vice president of the large Florida vegetable and fruit grower A. Duda & Sons, criticized a National Geographic issue last summer that called for "eating green" through steps such as buying locally from farmers within 30 miles, riding a bike and planting a garden, all of which he called unrealistic and "a bunch of romantic dribble" for most large-city dwellers. He said modern agriculture requires the safe use of fertilizers, chemicals and genetically engineered crops to feed a growing population with only 7 percent arable land nationwide.

Later in the story, several growers are quoted bemoaning rising input costs (read: fuel, fertilizer and chemicals) and the stresses of fluctuating grain prices. Coincidence? 

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Edra Blixseth will be deposed by Credit Suisse lawyers this Saturday in California as part of the ongoing legal battle over control of the debt-riddled and bankrupt Yellowstone Club near Bozeman.

In notices filed late Wednesday, Credit Suisse said it plans to depose Sam Byrne of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, the Boston-based hedge fund that won a struggle to fund the penniless club until the end of April, as well as the club's professional managers and a representative of the leading member group.

Edra filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the Yellowstone Club on Nov. 10, citing debts of more than $360 million. The club had no money and was on the brink of closure. The largest creditor is a collection of investors led by Credit Suisse, who are owed more than $307 million. Chapter 11 allows a business to remain open while reorganizing its debt.

Edra won control of the club in August after a bitter divorce with Tim Blixseth, the club's founder, and the architect of its monumental debt. So far in the proceeding, Tim has been notably absent, although a lawyer representing him recently signed onto the case. When Edra took over the club, its finances were in shambles, its accounts virtually empty. More than $88 million in member deposits had disappeared. Some news outlets have described the Yellowstone Club as the victim of the worldwide financial crunch, but at the bankruptcy hearings it seems the club was a financial train-wreck-in-progress years ago. Member deposits of more than $88 million, for instance, are gone, and one allegation in a previous lawsuit says Tim and Edra Blixseth funneled more than $200 million of the Credit Suisse loan to themselves as profit, spending it on private jets and California mansions.  

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KEEP THOSE GUN MAVERICKS UNDER CONTROL

If you've followed my recent columns on gun rights, you know that I have a big bet on the table--not an all-in bet, hopefully, but really big!

Our new administration and Congress has a lot of anti-gun baggage, but I've argued, unsuccessfully so far, that two colossal political realities will keep the Blue Tide from seriously pursuing any new gun laws.

So convinced am I of this that during several email exchanges, online and offline, with gun nuts, I bet them no gun bill would get through Congress any time during the next four years. So Mr. President-elect and Ms. Speaker of the House, please come through for me. Don't make me a big loser.
 

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New West Conference DVD

Our recent conference, the third annual Real Estate and Development in the Northern Rockies, was a huge success, and we're pleased to announce that a 3-disc DVD of the event is now available for just $25. The DVD includes the spectacular keynote presentation by economist Christopher Thornberg, as well as video of most of the other sessions and a complete set of slides from the presenters. If you couldn't attend, or were there and want a record of what went on, we're sure you'll find the DVD interesting and useful.

You can order the DVDs by calling 406-829-1725, or click here to order online with a credit card.

See some of the highlights in the video below.



We also have a few DVDs remaining from our spring conference, Designing the New West, which was about architecture and landscape in the region. Those are also $25.
 

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Times they are a changin'

Our current environmental situation seems daunting when visualizing the whole picture. Liz Layne, a local veterinary in Bozeman, takes a different approach, she stated she takes on one thing in her life to focus on changing to be healthier and green. It is this perspective that can make a difference by implementing small changes; these changes will eventually lead to a lifestyle that is healthier for the individual and the environment.

Change is the word that was mentioned throughout the recent campaign, so much so it became the platform that won the election. With the recent election results many of us are hopefully and looking forward to the change ahead. Presidents change. What else?

Currently the City of Bozeman doesn’t allow wind turbines within the city.  

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NO LAYOFFS OR MANAGEMENT CHANGES PLANNED

As noted in a breaking news story last week, UFA Co-operative Ltd. of Calgary is in the process of acquiring Sportsman's Warehouse, the largest outdoor retailer in the New West. UFA stands for United Farmers of Alberta, so after the article came out several readers wondered why a Canadian farmer's coop would buy a chain of sport stores in the United States.

With the kind assistance of UFA's cooperate communications manager Natalie Dawes, today I had a chance to ask UFA's President and CEO Dallas Thorsteinson that question.
 

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