Lakes to be honored at 44th annual Ag Dinner
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Jack and Susan Lake, lifelong Montanans and area farmers, are being honored for their contributions to agriculture during the 44th annual Ag Appreciation Dinner on March 29.
Both Jack and Susan grew up working in the agricultural business. Their love of Montana and the Mission Valley kept them here. Married in 1984, the couple has four daughters.
The family farm grows potatoes and grains as well as raising a few head of cattle. Potato crops are the backbone of their farm.
During World War II, the federal government asked the Lake Family to grow potatoes to support the war effort. So they grew potatoes on very small acreage parcels, which required heavy manual labor. After the end of the war, the Lakes continued, along with other local farmers, to grow potatoes, but found they couldn’t compete with Idaho potato farmers in the commercial market. A big agricultural break for them as well as the valley, came when the Columbia Basin opened their commercial potato industry and required clean seed.
Fast forward 75-plus years to the seed industry today and the Lakes are continuing to learn and grow while incorporating all the new technology coming to agriculture.
The Lakes are big believers in getting involved. This Mission Valley community has been good to them and their families and they believe in giving back, which they do in myriad ways.
Jack and Susan grew up participating in 4-H and appreciated all that the 4-H leaders taught. They have continued the 4-H tradition with their children and working as 4-H leaders earlier on. Jack is currently President of the Lake County Fair Board and both he and Susan volunteer as judges at the Lake County Fair each year.
In addition to his leadership on the Fair Board, Jack participates as a member of statewide boards for The Montana Potato Improvement Association and is chairman of the Montana Seed Grain Growers Association.
As big supporters of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation and the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Jack and Susan find farming and ranching are being increasingly impacted by rules more and regulations coming from people who know little or nothing about farming. Our farm organizations provide us with a seat at the table and the opportunity to be heard and to make a difference, not only in Montana but also in Washington D.C. In support of these organizations both Jack and Susan serve on multiple committees. Jack serves on the farm and trade committee for the Montana Farm Bureau. Susan serves on the Montana Farm Bureau’s policy committee, budget committee, long-range planning committee, political action committee and the water committee for both the (MFBF) and the (MSGA).
As leaders in the area’s agricultural community and helping to make this the successful growing area it is, they are very worthy of the appreciation and honor they will receive.
