Something To Ponder - Ya Reckon?
Author: Denise Thompson, MT43News AG Correspondent
Denise Thompson
MT43 News AG Correspondent
I greatly appreciate the opportunity to jot some agricultural idioms down in our weekly, small-town newspaper, and to hopefully shed some light and honor on the world of AGRICULTURE…..to encourage one to ponder a bit.
The third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, emphasized the importance of agriculture and the well-being of farmers, stating that “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens.”
I just recently watched the 2011 documentary, Farmageddon. I had heard much about this eye-opening piece over the years. I found it incredibly interesting that those in agriculture are still facing some of the same crippling issues. This documentary spotlighted another quote from Thomas Jefferson, which highlighted his strong belief in individual autonomy and limited government intervention in personal choices. The famous president remarked, “If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.”
Just recently, Montana Governor Gianforte signed a bill banning the production and sale of lab-grown meat in the state. House Bill 401, which was sponsored by Rep. Braxton Mitchell, prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of cell-cultured edible products, also known as lab-grown meat. The law, which takes effect on October 1, 2025, aims to protect Montana ranchers and the state’s food supply.
The ban is intended to prevent synthetic meat products from undercutting the work of Montana’s farm and ranch families. The Montana Farm Bureau Federation praised the legislation, stating that they are thrilled consumers in the state will continue to enjoy authentic meat.
Is this a win or a setback for food innovation? Should the government decide what kind of meat we can eat? Does this recent move by Governor Gianforte and our legislature contradict Jefferson’s beliefs, or does it maintain the integrity of agriculture, real foods and ultimately our health and well-being?
No matter what side of the aisle you are on, politically, I believe we can all agree on the importance of agriculture and supporting those local farmers and ranchers who grow the real food for us, ya reckon!?!
I love GENUINE beef, sourced locally, and will continue to chomp away on a good steak or juicy burger that was raised on the open range and grassy fields of Broadwater County.
Because Memorial Day is upon us, I will end with a final, and perhaps Thomas Jefferson’s most famous quote, from the Declaration of Independence (1776), which he authored: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
This powerful statement is one of the most iconic lines in American history. It reflects the foundational principles of individual freedom and equality that guided the birth of the United States.
For the Love of Ag, From the Heart of a Western Woman,
Denise Thompson
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PhotoCredit: Denise Thompson
Image 1 Caption: Vince Thompson's Longhorn Cross cattle, grazing the new spring grass in the valley of Broadwater County
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
