Politics is slow but harvest is underway

August has been a slow month as far as politics goes. Some jockeying for who is going to run for what office, is interesting to watch. But it is a busy time for the agricultural folks. The crops have been better than expected, the cooler spring and summer may have been the reason. Many areas received hail and a number of fires have been reported in the harvest fields. Some farmers are finished but many are still cutting, so be on the lookout for equipment. I have not been involved in a great deal of harvest, only moving a truck here and there, help moving an auger or two and running a load to town. It seems farm help is just like all businesses, very hard to come by.

In mid-August, I was invited to a tour of the irrigation system that runs from Polson to the south to Mission Creek just east of Saint Ignatius. There are three local water irrigation districts involved, all dating back to 1910.

It is beyond my imagination the vision those folks had back then and is working today much the same as it was 100-plus years ago. This is also true with the Milk River Diversion started in 1903. Running from St. Mary into Canada back to the U.S. just west of Fresno Dam. Then, as needed is released from Fresno to irrigators east of Havre.

Go to Taber, Alberta, and see the system that brings water all the way from the Carson area. That was also started pre-1910.

The engineering and amount of labor involved in these projects are just amazing accomplishments. Today not one of these projects would get done, due to politics and the lawsuits that would ensue.

Take Care!

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State Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, can be emailed at Russ.Tempel@mtleg.gov.