The day finally came, and the people turned out to show that they cared what direction their county would take in the future. The State of the Community County-wide Conference took place Friday, and all the hard work of the numerous people involved, from VISTAs to the county planner, paid off.

County planner Marcy Hamburg said that 100 people registered for the conference and almost all of them came for at least part of the conference. It seemed that a good number actually stayed for the entire day. Most of the round table sessions were filled, and of those sitting in, the only complaint was that there was not enough time to discuss all of the issues in the depth the topic required.

The second session had a room designated to discuss the topic of agriculture, led by NDSU-Williston Extension agent Chet Hill. A main focus in this discussion was how the county can expand the production of high-valued crops, and how these crops could be marketed. Sugar beets, of course, were the crop mentioned first. “It’s good that the contract got extended for another year,” MSU-Sidney Extension agent Ben Larson said. However, Larson continued that since the contract was only for a year there was a reason for some worry, and also raised the question of profitability of Sidney’s largest specialty crop.

Local farmer Jeremy Norby commented, from his own experience and those he talks with, that it is getting harder to raise sugar beets.

“The biggest problem is marketing,” Norby said. “It’s locking in prices for specialty crops, and with these crops there are specialty expenses as well.”

Norby went on to explain that once a sugar beet factory closes, never in U.S. history has it opened back up.

“The sugar factory keeps us (Sidney) viable,” Norby said. “But it is a very special market and it is getting tougher for farmers to justify raising sugar beets.”

Because of the specialty farming techniques and the amount of crop that must be produced, Norby said that last year 50 percent of farmers lost money raising sugar beets.

Norby recommended to increase the marketing of sugar beets and other specialty crops this county has, a small alliance of farmers be formed.

“When I lived in Alaska, there was an alliance of farmers, and all their crops were marked ‘Alaska Grown’,” Norby said. The logo and slogan did very well, and Norby feels that there is no reason why Sidney can’t do something similar.

Greg Rauschendorfer agreed and feels that many farmers are wearing too many hats.

“Marketing is huge and crop growing is becoming more and more challenging,” Rauschendorfer said.

Mary Heller, a representative for congressman Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), mentioned that Made in Montana was a statewide marketing campaign. Those at the discussion differed on their views to use this campaign or come up with one more specific to this region.

“Sidney and community need to think about what they’re doing,” farmer Connie Iverson said. “The sugar can go, the Agriculture Research Service Station can leave due to lack of funding. We all need to support specialty crops in the area...There is lots of talk, and I would like to see some action.”

And community action is exactly what this conference was trying to spur.

“There has been a good group of people,” Cal Oraw, the city/county planning board president said. “People are talking and sharing some great ideas.”

The conference lunch was centered around table discussion concerning Richland County’s housing problems and issues.

Paul Groshart with the Richland County Housing Association opened up the discussion by giving a brief history of the role RCHA has played and what needs he sees the county having.

“We are helping the people whose income is very low to low,” Groshart said. “But we are not able to help those in the middle. There is not affordable housing.”

Each table grappled with these concerns, trying to find possible solutions.

“People here are too independent and there are too many restrictions,” Greg Anderson said. “Funding is the biggest issue.”

Anderson added that to get volunteers to help build homes would be difficult because they would be doing so for people in the same economic bracket.

While all the problems were discussed, because the issue is so deep and involving so many different facets, no sure solution was heard. However, it was clear that the county did care about this issue and is willing to work together to find a solution.

reporter@sidneyherald.com