Polson mayor, businessman and Pirate wrestling coach Eric Huffine went rogue last Thursday, extolling the virtues of arch-rival Ronan during the annual Farm to Table dinner at Mission West Community Development. 

Huffine first ventured south a few years ago when he purchased the former Mission Mountain Empowerment headquarters on the corner of Main and Fourth Ave. SW. for potential employee housing. He recently acquired another Main Street fixture, the former Twice But Nice thrift store, which has variously been a gas station, furniture store and the Leader’s print shop. His company plans to transform it into Evolve, a fitness center with 24-hour member access, a nutrition/coffee bar, office space, and even a pickleball court.

Huffine, who owns a concrete construction company, was initially lured south because property was cheaper in Ronan than in his hometown of Polson. As he and his crew spent more time, he noticed the strong sense of community and wanted to be a part of it.

He admires Mission West and the work they’ve done to foster downtown revitalization, as well as the work of the Chamber of Commerce, and the business community. He cited the member-owned Ronan Cooperative Brewery as a prime example of community engagement.

“I am a huge believer in this town and in this community and the vision that everybody has for the downtown,” he said. “And I'm excited to be part of that.”

His enthusiasm was on display throughout the evening. In addition to being a major sponsor of the event and the high bidder on a trip to the Philippines, he’s donated a retro orange and black bike which will be on display at Harvest Foods until the winning ticket is drawn during Ronan’s hometown wrestling tournament. Proceeds will go to Ronan Athletics.

Another Mission West fan who spoke was board vice president Carissa McNamara, Northwest Ambassador for Montana Farmers Union and co-owner of Wild Horse Lavender in Plains.

She pointed to the plight of small farmers and ranchers, noting that the U.S. lost 140,000 farms from 2012 to 2023.

“So that was 95 farms a day,” she said. “If we project that math into the future, we have family farms until 2054, right? Unless we do something.”

To McNamara, Mission West’s three pillars of cooperative development, technical assistance for small businesses and its food and ag development center represent hope for the future. “This organization is what we have left, connecting community to the food that’s grown by individuals in that community.” It’s a formula she believes other areas should emulate so that 30 years from now local farmers and ranchers still exist.

The centerpiece of the evening was the Farm to Table dinner, featuring organic chicken, beef brisket and ribs, all grown locally, as well as an array of freshly harvested vegetables and tempting desserts. Producers included Western Montana Growers Co-op, Foothill Farms, Harlequin Produce, and Ranch Land. The Ronan Coop Brewery added brews and wine to the menu.

Around 150 diners showed up to eat, drink and mingle under the clear, late-summer sky and shop the silent auction. Marine veteran and triple amputee Tomy Parker MC’d the event, coaxing bidders in the live auction to up the ante on items including a stay at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort, a round-trip tour for two to Wild Horse Island, replete with three bottles of wine, a paddle and pedal adventure to Glacier Park and down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, and all the ingredients for a backyard barbecue, including meat from White’s Meats and Cathey Cattle Company and seasonings from Mrs. Wonderful.

The final auction item was two weeks at a luxury resort in the Philippines, which Huffine secured for $2,100.

Mission West was established more than 25 years ago, and continues to promote economic development and resilience in Lake, Mineral and Sanders counties and across the Flathead Reservation. 

In the wake of last week's celebration, executive director Jan Tusick praised the staff, board and community for the outpouring of support. 

"The Farm to Table event celebrates our local agricultural community and gives Mission West a chance to share with the broader community our work and passion for the place we all deeply care about," she said. "The evening was such fun and the fundraising helped us meet our annual fundraising goal. We thank everyone for coming, sharing great food, company and supporting Mission West."

    Eleanor Prather checks out the silent auction offerings during the Farm to Table dinner, held last Thursday at Mission West Community Development in Ronan. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Mission West board chair Roxanne Duckworth did an impressive job of driving up the bids during the live auction at last week's Farm to Table dinner in Ronan, with encouragement from her husband, Kyle. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)