ACTionism Meets the American West: How Montana Cowboys Are Rewriting the Food Story
By pooling the resources of 5 ranches, the Old Salt Co-op are finding collective agency to reclaim their rightful role as land stewards - and proudly declaring their belief that “Land Is Kin”.
As hard as I find it to believe, two weeks ago today I was talking #CitizensNotConsumers with a group of ranchers in a field in the middle of nowhere in Montana, US… and it was one of the most inspiring gatherings I’ve ever had the joy to be part of.
Food and farming is where this work all started for me. Over a decade ago, fresh out of adland, I led a project to hand over decisions on a real working farm to the public by online vote and debate for the National Trust as a way of involving people in sustainable food production instead of just selling them sustainable food.
It nearly killed me and several animals - but I learned a LOT. Not least that those producing our food often feel both a deep connection to the land, and intensely trapped by the Consumer Story - which treats them as commodity producers, rather than stewards of that land.
The Old Salt Festival was a powerful reminder of that. I’ll admit, I was a little wary going to a state that broke 60% for Trump…But what Cole Mannix and the Old Salt Co-op team are building is simply astounding.
By pooling the resources of 5 ranches, the Old Salt Co-op are finding collective agency to reclaim their rightful role as land stewards - and proudly declaring their belief that “Land Is Kin”.
In practice, that means not just producing, but also processing, and actually feeding people. “Vertical integration”, so they don’t lose out to the margins of mega business through the supply chain.
They’ve bought their own processing plant, and operate two restaurants so far with plans for more - as well as working with local hospitals and schools to put good local food on their menus.
The motivation for all of it is to build a different relationship between land and humans - and that means a whole different relationship with the original peoples of the region too.
It was a privilege to meet some of the Piikani Lodge Health Institute (PLHI) folks and see how all these humans, from all their different backgrounds, are collaborating as the momentum builds.Perhaps most exciting of all is the Old Salt approach to sharing the learning - by holding an annual festival of music and ideas on the land, and inviting folks who are trying to work in similar ways from all over the world.
What could be better than amazing food, astonishing people… and some cowboy poetry and country music???
This is community power my friends… served with a big helping of joy❤️💪
Written By Jon Alexander and originally published on LinkedIn
How can you take action when it comes to food and farming right now?
Start small, think local:
Find your local food cooperative - and visit to see what they offer - Sustain is a good place to help you find one near you.
Buy one meal's worth of ingredients from a local farm shop or farmers market this week. Community gardens are also great places to find local products- lots of lovely ones on a map here
Ask one local restaurant where they source their food - spark the conversation
Start a neighbourhood food conversation - ask three neighbours where they shop and why
Propose a group buying scheme for your street, workplace, or community group. Lots of info on how to get started here
Visit a local food processing facility or community kitchen to understand the system
