Ag Appreciation honors Jack and Susan Lake

March refused to go out quietly, and the weather threw a little snow, rain, and wind around on Friday afternoon, but not enough to stop the 44th Annual Ag Appreciation Dinner, sponsored by the Ronan Chamber.

Lifelong Montana residents and farmers Jack and Susan Lake were honored for their contributions to agriculture in the Mission Valley.

“This family has given their lives to this community,” said Valley Banks president Jamie Buhr, who introduced the couple. “As I said from the very beginning, they are so deserving, and it’s long overdue.” 

Buhr read from an article written by Sjaan Vincent enumerating all the state and local farm organizations and community groups to which Jack and Susan devote time and energy. The list includes (to name just a few): state and local Farm Bureau, Montana Stockgrowers, Montana Potato Board, Montana Seed Growers, the Lake County Fair Board, Ronan School Board, Lake County Republican Central Committee, The annual dinner, which is held to give a big thank-you to all the agricultural producers and businesses in Lake County,  drew more than 160 people out to connect with friends and meet new ones. Glacier Bank and Valley Banks graciously hosted a bar before dinner. 

This year’s menu included a choice of steak or salmon, baked Lake Farm potatoes (‘cause don’t they just taste better?), coleslaw, homemade rolls, and cake plus water tanks filled with iced water and soda. 

It truly is a community event, according to Katie Jo Elliott, Ronan Chamber president. 

“All around we are lucky to live in such a wonderful and supportive community,” she said. 

Elliot said she and Buhr worked together to organize the event. She credited Vincent with “keeping the community center in nice shape. Westland Seed decorated the tables. The Boys and Girls Club cooked the potatoes, which were donated by Lake Farm; Mission Valley FFA members set up the tables and chairs and also were in charge of clean-up. Many businesses sponsored and donated door prizes.

In the beef barn Dave and Dalton Marmon and crew cooked the steaks. Justine Welker and Sherrie McBirney organized the food and volunteers, and some 4-H members bussed tables and helped serve. 

As folks visited and talked about how calving is going, there was the sound of laughter, and the smell of good food and coffee in a room full of people, each connected in some way to the challenging work of making a living from the land.

    Jamie Buhr, Ronan Chamber of Commerce committee members, stands with Susan and Jack Lake, lifetime Montana farmers, who were honored at the Ag Appreciation event on March 29 at the community center. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)