Columbus, MT

The Town of Columbus is an affiliate member of the Montana Main Street Program. This program provides resources for economic revitalization efforts in the downtown area of Columbus. The focus of the program was a vacant lot on Main Street that was the result of a fire in 2001. This area is a true sign of aesthetic poverty in the community.

The Beautification Committee from the Horizons program has decided to partner with the Main Street Project. This will eliminate a duplication of efforts and allow the program volunteers to work together, rather than pull energy from one another . Please contact Melissa Kramer, Stillwater County Economic Development Coordinator, 322-8050 with any questions.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/montana-main-street-program-partnership/

The Columbus Horizons Steering Committee was very appreciative of Cathy Cooney’s time as she presented information on Community Foundations. Cathy Cooney attended a meeting of the Steering Committee that included Stillwater County Commissioner, Dennis Hoyem, on February 15, 2008. The committee had the opportunity to ask questions and find direction in moving forward to getting a Community Foundation for the Town of Columbus off the ground. Cathy’s excitement and passion for the organizations definitely influenced and motivated the committee. The committee concluded that this would be a great opportunity and direction in creating a self sustainable source of funding for the Town of Columbus. The funding would be a great asset to many poverty reduction projects and guide to involving all socio-economic classes in the community.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/horizons-steering-committee-seeks-guidance-from-cathy-cooney-of-the-montana-community-foundation/

The Columbus Horizon’s Steering Committee initiated several conversations across the community to involve several organizations and key players in the Horizons process. The committee felt that this was necessary in order to make the Horizons project thrive in our community. Too often in small communities such as Columbus, new projects are seen as efforts that come and go with little to no impact. Sharing the opportunity that existed through Horizons was very important. Many of the organizations were those that we felt could help us involve all socio-economic classes and bring more awareness to our committee about eliminating the barriers that exist for those in poverty. The following are dates of meetings that were held across the community.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/horizons-collaborations/

The Horizons study circles on poverty brought forth the idea that there needs to be a means to fight financial poverty through the opportunity for supplemental income. The farmers’ market provides such an avenue for sellers at the farmers’ market. Also, through the discount for youth sellers, young people have a way to supplement their income as well and to help them learn how to become responsible, productive adults.

A successful farmers’ market was held each Thursday afternoon in August and the first two Thursdays in September 2007. An estimated 250 to 300 persons attended each week.

Based on the success of last year’s market, which began as an August-only event and was then extended into September, the 2008 Columbus Farmers’ Market will begin in mid-July and run until mid-September. It will once again take place on Thursday afternoons in Railroad Park, beginning July 24th and running through September 11th. The farmers’ market committee hopes to welcome back most, if not all, of last year’s sellers and add to add several more. Again, the targeted items for the market will be fresh garden produce, eggs, plants, baked goods, preserves, etc. Local musicians provided music for many of the farmers’ markets in 2007, and are expected to return in 2008. Picnic tables will once again be available for people to sit and socialize. In rural Montana, the farmers’ market will be an avenue to help fight social poverty by providing support systems. Also, it is planned to have a vendor present at most of the markets to sell food suitable for the dinner hour. Registration forms and health rules are currently available at the Stillwater Extension Office, located in the Courthouse. The contact person, Marcia, may also be contacted at 321-1377 for further information.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/26/horizons-accomplishments-farmers-market/

From the visioning event came the realization for the need to establish a community foundation to capture wealth in the community so that grants could be distributed to sustain Columbus as a thriving community. A kick-off event was hosted by Kent & Pam Williams on May 13, 2008. As a result, donations toward the endowment have continued to come in for a total of $20,150 as of this writing. The decision was made to affiliate with the Montana Community Foundation, as they have many benefits. Another fund raising event for the Columbus Community Foundation will be scheduled in the fall. Currently, to become a self-sustaining entity, the Columbus Community Foundation is forming a diverse board and considering non-profit status application. The Montana Community Foundation has provided two $2,500 matching grants that will be granted to non-profit organizations in Columbus.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/26/horizons-accomplishments-community-foundation/

The results are in! Your voice has been heard! Because of such positive results of the spring afterschool survey, the Columbus Horizons Afterschool Committee is proceeding to have an exciting afterschool program in place by this fall.

Joey Hegstrum, the Executive Director of the Stillwater Community Coalition and Sharon Diane, Prevention Specialist with the Stillwater Tobacco Use Prevention Program have agreed to serve as co-coordinators with the Stillwater Community Coalition serving as the lead agency.

Volunteers will be needed for such activities as the following: sharing your talents by teaching a short hands-on learning activity; helping kids with their homework; supervising recreation; serving a snack; heading up a fundraiser for the afterschool program; etc.

The mission statement of the program is as follows:
Our goal is to provide youth of this community with enriching activities, guidance and skills in a safe environment which will enable them to lead productive healthy lives. We will address risk factors associated with poverty to allow youth to thrive, prosper and grow. For the purpose of our mission, as was the Horizon’s Project, poverty is not only limited to financial issues. Poverty encompasses the lack of adequate emotional, mental and spiritual support systems as well as relationships with positive role models.

The vision statement of the program is as follows:
To provide an afterschool program that helps the youth of our community to overcome risk factors by providing them the tools that will allow them to make healthy life choices.

Immediate plans include verifying a location for the program, deciding on the dates/times, and conducting a contest for the after school program’s name.

The program is looking for volunteers for the areas described above. If you would like to volunteer for the afterschool program, please contact Joey at 322-5228 or Sharon at 322-4296 or you may contact the Stillwater County Extension Office at 322-8035.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/25/from-talk-to-action-after-school-program-on-the-move/

What’s Happening in 2008?

The second annual Columbus Farmers’ Market is gearing up for a successful season in 2008. Based on the success of last year’s market, which began as an August-only event and was then extended into September, this year’s market will begin in mid-July and run until mid-September. It will once again take place on Thursday afternoons in Railroad Park, beginning July 24th and running through September 11th. Organizers expect nearly all of last year’s sellers to return and they hope to add more. The items sold at the Market are fresh garden produce, eggs, plants, baked goods and preserves. Registration forms may be picked up at the Extension Office in the Courthouse at 400 E 3rd Ave N in Columbus, or a call may be made to Marcia at 321-1377 for further information.

How Did the Farmers’ Market Originate?

The farmers’ market in Columbus grew out of the idea that surfaced in one of the Horizons study circles held from January to March 2007. The study circle participants felt that a farmers’ market would help Columbus to becoming a thriving self-sufficient community. In early 2007, a committee was formed to explore the interest among sellers in the local area. The committee consisted of Barbara Archer, Mary Kuehn and Marcia Spano. Jerry Nye came on as Market Master. Mary Schimmele and Shawn and Georgie Shifley participated in the committee on behalf of Columbus Community Action Network. The committee felt that the ability for area residents to purchase locally grown produce was a good first step toward community self-sufficiency. In addition, the market was a way to address economic poverty by allowing those raising produce to expand their income and by making healthy, nutritious food available at very reasonable prices. Also, one could argue that the farmers’ market addresses social poverty by providing a venue for people to come together once a week, socialize, and have a good time. Local musicians provided music for many of the farmers’ markets in 2007, and are expected to return in 2008. Many of the musicians traveled 60-90 miles round-trip to attend. Picnic tables were available for people to sit and socialize. Also a vendor was present at most of the markets to sell food suitable for the dinner hour.

In fact, it became a weekly event where all ages of individuals—from children to senior citizens enjoyed their time at the Columbus Farmers’ Market. The crowd at the first market was so strong that nearly everyone sold out within the first 45 minutes. There were 10 sellers pre-registered for the first market on Aug 2, and three more were added the day of the market. There were 14 sellers at the 2nd market and even though everyone brought more to sell, again most sold out within the first hour. By the 3rd week, the market was up to 22 sellers and continued to have strong crowds. The market was a great success with the Columbus community, and surrounding communities of Absarokee, Park City, Rapelje and Reed Point really embracing it. The crowds were there promptly at 4 pm and people continued to arrive during the 3 hour period, to buy product, socialize, listen to the musicians and have hamburgers and hotdogs from a local vendor. It is estimated that 200-300 people attended the market each week. It is also estimated that 200 people attended on September 6, even though rain showers threatened. At the peak time of participation, approximately 250 to 300 folks were in attendance.

A follow-up survey sent to vendors showed that the majority were very satisfied with their experience with the Columbus Farmers’ Market and expected to participate again. All were satisfied with the day of the week, the time of year, and the location.

What are Expected Changes for 2008?

In 2008, a promotional push will continue with fliers for the public and increased levels of advertising in local newspapers. The committee also hopes to purchase banners which can be put in conspicuous places in town to further promote the event. Name tags and lanyards will allow for easy vendor and committee member identification at the market. Other promotional items will include aprons and grocery bags with the market logo that will be sold at the market. In addition it is expected that the number of vendors will increase this year. With the accelerated price of fuel, the committee is anticipating an increase in buyers as they become “locavores” by purchasing locally produced foods. Thus, the Columbus Farmers’ Market can also help address economic poverty by providing this opportunity.

In 2008 an attempt was made to allow for low-income individuals to participate in the farmers’ market. However, former trials in other counties have shown that it is not that viable, and thus it will not be possible in Columbus as yet.

With Whom Did the Farmers’ Market Committee Collaborate?

• AERO Montana (Alternative Energy Resources Organization) provided a farmers’ market handbook with lots of useful information as to how to organize and run a market. We used that resource to develop the application and rules for the market. The Columbus market is listed on their website.
• Stillwater County Environmental Health Department helped the committee with health and food safety guidelines. Great support was provided by Keith Bell, environmental health director. With his help, the committee put together an information packet for potential sellers that includes an application, a set of farmers’ market rules and a set of the Health Department Guidelines.
• CCAN (Columbus Community Action Network) was contacted to take advantage of their knowledge about organizing events in Columbus. They were also quite enthusiastic about the idea and offered their support in all areas. In fact, the Columbus Farmers’ Market is now under the auspices of CCAN, which will help for sustainability of the market in years to come.
• The Town of Columbus granted permission for use of the local park, located along the railroad frontage in downtown Columbus.
• Local companies with advertising boards helped to promote the market with dedicated space for the listing of the event.
• Montana Department of Agriculture has developed a website for farmers’ markets in Montana, and Columbus Farmers’ Market is now listed with them in the 2008 Montana Farmers’ Market Guide. http://farmersmarkets.mt.gov/

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/04/columbus-farmers%e2%80%99-market-from-talk-to-action/