Here are my biggest take aways from this weekends amazing workshops and gathering of like minded souls in Montana’s beautiful fall weather!

AERO stands for Alternative Energy Resource Organization but AEROMT is so much more then that. Their tag line: Linking People, Sustainable Agriculture, and Energy Solutions since 1974 says it best!

The weekend started out with a trip over Logan’s Pass:

 Friday morning in Great Falls.

Although we didn’t make it up to the giant falls we did some beautiful wildlife including a pelican and lots of waterfowl.

Then off to the amazing Timeless Seeds Processing Plant!

David Oien gives an amazing talk on lentils.

  Then we got a tour of the processing plant.

Nikki who teaches 2nd grade shared her amazing video with us!

Organic Black Beluga® Lentils are nutritious and full of protein!

2016 is going to be the Year of the Pulse Crops.

“Pulses are annual leguminous crops yielding between one and 12 grains or seeds of variable size, shape and colour within a pod, used for both food and feed.  The term “pulses” is limited to crops harvested solely for dry grain. 

Pulse crops such as lentils, beans, peas and chickpeas are a critical part of the general food basket.  Pulses are a vital source of plant-based proteins and amino acids for people around the globe and should be eaten as part of a healthy diet to address obesity, as well as to prevent and help manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary conditions and cancer; they are also an important source of plant-based protein for animals. 

In addition, pulses are leguminous plants that have nitrogen-fixing properties which can contribute to increasing soil fertility and have a positive impact on the environment.” from the UN’s Year of the Pulses Website.

After checking in at the Arrowpeak Lodge we started the expo off with a delicious cooking lesson on how to make lentil salad! The food was just one of the best parts of this weekend! Way to go cooks!

Claudia Mesa shares lentil salad made with her unique Cowgirl Spice

Claudia was full of knowledge about nutrition and taste as well as just a fun class!

Sarah Calhoun from Red Ants Pants gives an inspirational opening Keynote.

The audience is delighted with the information about the Red Ants Pants Festival and Red Ants Pants Foundation. Did she say they give out grants and money???? It looks like a lot of the grants they gave out last year went to help farms in Montana or school programs that support farm/ag education, women’s leadership participation among others. What a wonderful idea to combine music and sustainable agriculture and women’s empowerment!

The cake off was a complete success and I think but can’t be positive they said they raised almost $1000 in cake donations!

The real race was for the 2 gluten free options!

My huckleberry coffee cake was not the most popular I have to say, but that’s just cause they didn’t taste it! Haha!

Saturday Morning I awoke early to a delicious cup of coffee and engaging conversation with Jim