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your homegrown newspaper September 27, 2023
Vol. 20, No. 2
Polson murder pg. 5
Homecoming
Pedal f Plate
pg. 15
Autumn rolls in with annual agritourism cycling tour Story, photos by Summer Goddard Valley Journal
Skate Jam pg. 16
MISSION VALLEY — More than a 150 cyclists toured the scenic Mission Valley last Saturday stopping at farms along
the way to sample local fare and learn about ag operations. The annual Mission Mountain Area Pedal to Plate event promotes area agritourism by connecting visitors with local working farms and ranches. The event began and ended at the Ronan Cooperative Brewery in Ronan – the state’s first cooperative brewery that sources local grains to make its own brews. Typically a single 40-mile w w w.va l le yj our na l.net
course, cyclists were offered the choice this year of either a 38 or 50-mile route. The 38-mile route offered five local tasting stops while the 50-mile route offered seven. Both routes met up at Glenwood Farm operated by Will and Jan Tusick. There, cyclists were served a lamb stew lunch with homemade bread and local honey. Cyclists on the 38-mile course got to witness sheep
herding by one of the farm’s working dogs while Will Tusick followed behind on an electric bike. On the 50-mile route, cyclists visited the Westphal ranch on Valley View Road where four generations of ranchers were on hand to talk to visitors. After resting, refueling and learning about local agriculture, cyclists carried on to their next stop. The sun peeked in and out of
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