First Lewistown Harvest Train: Connecting Passengers with Central Montana Agriculture
The First Lewistown Harvest Train brought passengers closer to Central Montana's agricultural story through field demonstrations, local food, and youth programs on board the Charlie Russell Chew Choo. This event combined elements of the traditional Ag Tour and Longest Table dinner onto the vintage train.
Key Highlights:
- Agricultural Demonstrations: Bill Plouffe and his family showcased livestock displays, giving passengers insights into the daily work behind their food.
- Local Food: Guests sampled dishes prepared with locally grown and raised ingredients, including brisket from Montana RanchHers Beef Co. and flour from Lewistown Flour Company.
- Harvest Host Presentations: Each of the train's seven cars had a Harvest Host explaining the landscape and answering questions.
- Music & Community: Local musicians played as passengers gathered, and producers demonstrated tasks like operating combines, repairing fences, and working cattle while aboard.
The Impact:
The event highlighted the importance of agriculture in Fergus County, which according to the 2025 Fergus County report by MSU Extension, generates approximately $149 million in cash receipts from crops and livestock.
"It doesn’t come from the grocery store, it gets to the grocery store," shared Bill Plouffe, emphasizing the value of understanding where our food comes from.
Attendees like Blake and Quincy Buechler, who traveled from Billings for their anniversary, appreciated both the food and the opportunity to support local businesses.