Great Falls, MT: Montana Wheat & Barley Committee Executive Director Kent Kupfner joined members of the Great Falls Development Alliance in a visit May 8-9 to Lethbridge, AB. The mission was to explore opportunities in agribusiness trade and other economic opportunities, hosted by Economic Development Lethbridge.
During the visit, the group visited Market Place Commodities. Market Place helps facilitate trade between Montana grain companies and growers, while opening business opportunities for Lethbridge’s feed market. They have experienced a growing demand for feed barley and feed wheat, thus Montana is an excellent source for those commodities, particularly feed barley.
“Lethbridge is impressive,” said Kupfner. “They are a growing, robust community with many innovative ideas. As most of us know, we have much in common with Alberta and Lethbridge is very similar to Great Falls.” Kupfner said that the formalized partnership signed between the two development groups holds promise to help grow agricultural commerce for Montana.
Other stops included the Agri-food Hub and Trade Center, Canary Biofuels, CARIE (Center for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship), Whole Leaf Greenhouse and Maple Leaf Pork.