<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>413</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2360</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CFAC</o:Company>
<o:Lines>19</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2768</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1027"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="font-size: 14px;" class="">* * * ALERT * * *<o:p class=""></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="font-size: 14px;" class="">CONSERVING FARMLAND IN MISSOULA COUNTY<o:p class=""></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="font-size: 14px;" class="">ACT NOW!<o:p class=""></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""> </o:p>If you care about farmland and the future of Missoula's
local food economy, NOW is the time to act. The County has released draft
regulations. Be part of the solution and help get these passed and
improved! Speak up for farms. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On August 14, 2015,
the Missoula County Community and Planning Services (CAPS) released draft
subdivision regulations to address impacts on agriculture and agricultural
water. These are available at: <a href="http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/mccaps/CurrentPlanningPermitting/SRRP/Docs/Ag/9.1.15%20AgDraft-CoverLtrAllDocs.pdf" class="">http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/mccaps/CurrentPlanningPermitting/SRRP/Docs/Ag/9.1.15%20AgDraft-CoverLtrAllDocs.pdf</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p class=""></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b class=""><span style="font-size: 14px;" class="">SAVE THESE
DATES! LEARN MORE AND MAKE INFORMED
PUBLIC COMMENT.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b class="">Sunday, August 23</b>.
<b class="">Forum on Farmland</b>, at 6 PM, Ten Spoon
Vineyard, sponsored by the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC). Learn why farmland must be protected at the
point of subdivision, and about the current draft regulations, public process,
and how you can get involved. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b class="">Tuesday, September
1. Public Hearing at Planning Board.</b> Show your support for protecting farm and
ranchlands for future generations. The
hearing will be on draft regulations (see link above).<b class=""> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b class="">Make your voice heard</b>: <u class="">Testify or submit comments</u> to CAPS,
200 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802 or submitted electronically to <a href="mailto:CAPS@co.missoula.mt.us" class="">mailto:CAPS@co.missoula.mt.us</a> with the
subject line Ag Comment. <u class="">Comments
received by August 26 will be incorporated into the staff’s oral report to the
Planning Board</u>. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;" class=""><span style="line-height: 130%; font-variant: small-caps;" class=""><span style="font-size: 14px;" class="">Why Protect Working Farms and Ranchlands</span></span></b></p><div class=""><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Well-managed agricultural lands preserve <b class="">water quality</b>. Conserving farmland helps to protect drinking
water, as well as our treasured rivers, streams, and lakes.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b class="">Farmland
is a finite resource.</b> Less than 8%
of Missoula County’s soils are ideal for crops or livestock, and much of that
has already been developed. The Natural
Resources Conservation Services estimates that 80% of the County’s best
agricultural lands have been subdivided into parcel sizes under 40 acres (see
Section 2).<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b class="">Our
community food security</b> is rooted in the land. We need to plan ahead for limited oil
supplies, global and local population increases, and climate change. Fifty years from now, we will still need farms
to grow our food.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A deep<b class="">
connection to the land </b>is part of our collective identity. We depend on working farms and ranches for
sustenance and for our shared a sense of place.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b class="">Cultural,
social and historical values</b> are embedded in working farms and
ranches. They are the roots of our
heritage and vital to our legacy.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b class="">Local
markets</b> provide economic development opportunities for locally produced
foods. A growing number of consumers
want to know where their food comes from and recognize that local food is
usually fresher and tastier.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Working farms and ranches provide essential <b class="">ecosystem services</b>—such as<b class=""> </b>flood control, ground water recharge,
open space, and wildlife habitat.<b class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The open and working countryside contributes to <b class="">cherished cultural amenities</b> like
farmers’ markets, vibrant downtowns, colorful restaurants, and beautiful views,
which in turn fuel a growing economy and robust real estate sector.<b class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:10.0pt;margin-right:9.35pt;margin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:27.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:
list 27.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Webdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Webdings;mso-bidi-font-family:
Webdings" class=""><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Farms and ranches generate more in <b class="">tax revenue</b> than they require for
government services. According to the
American Farmland Trust, on average, for every incoming dollar, residential
land costs local governments $1.19 in services, while farm and ranchlands
require just $0.39. <b class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></b></p>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<!--EndFragment--></body></html>