There’s Something Special About These 9 Montana Farms From The Past

It's harvest season in Montana — and even though this year's wildfires and drought have taken a toll on our crops, it's still a busy time of year for our farmers and ranchers.

Montana is a resilient state full of hardworking people, and we will endure this year's natural disasters and come out even stronger. If you need inspiration, just look at these pictures of farms from the past. Our early farmers endured the Great Depression and other hardships, and we're better today because of their hard work.

1. Cascade County, 1939

Sheffels Farms, Inc. still exists. This tractor with a noble blade, however, has probably been retired.

2. Sheridan County, 1937

An old farmhouse and a wagon used for hauling water.

3. Laredo, 1941

The Farm Security Administration, or FSA, was created during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal. This is an early FSA borrower with his family.

4. Laredo, 1941

Purebred Hereford cows and cattle purchased with an FSA loan.

5. Flathead Valley, 1942

6. Ravalli County, 1942

At Clarence Goff's sheep farm, docking, branding, tail cutting, and ear slitting of young lambs was all part of the job.

7. Flathead Valley, 1942

Barn-building has always been serious business.

8. Madison County, 1939

This farm was abandoned.

9. Quarter Circle U Ranch, Rosebud, 1939

A cowhand scraping mud off his boots. Some things never change.

We love our farmers and our beautiful state. Here are a few things you might not know about Montana.