The holidays are behind us and a new year has begun. Field Day Farms sent me a newsletter letting me know that they are planting seeds in their greenhouse in preparation for the coming spring, followed closely by the Farmers’ Market. The cycle of life continues as it has in the past, and will move forward as it will for all of us to enjoy. The stability of this cycle is a reminder for me that essentially, the foundation of life in Bozeman remains constant. Local businesses come, some make it and some do not. The cycle of this community allows changes to occur in order to continually reinforce the fact that in each life situation there is something to be learned. Learning the truth of what works in business allows each of us the opportunity to take what we have learned and apply that knowledge to our next endeavor. Failure is only a frame of mind. The only true failure is having never tried that new adventure called living.

Opportunities abound in this great state. Hunting and fishing opportunities are right outside our doorstep, with all the information you need available at Fish, Wildlife and Parks, including mentors, training, and companionship with others who are likeminded in the attempt to enjoy all that Montana has to offer, sustaining the body and lifting the spirit of independence. We can legally raise chickens in our own backyards, and now a new program called 1000 New Gardens is setting up garden plots all over the city so that we can function as independently as we choose in order to eat our own foods from our own home. People are sharing everything you need to cultivate a wonderful garden including seeds, stories, compost, and information about getting everything you need to begin, even if you have never gardened before. Max Smith, a student from Missoula is in charge of the program here and he can be reached at 406-214-6664 or at the website 1000newgardensbozeman@gmail.com. The website is filling up with stories and comments that will give us the opportunity to share with other gardeners, and is well worth the visit.

Government legislation is supporting our efforts to sustain our own food production. Senator Jon Tester was able to get legislation passed to protect the small businesses that are growing and selling in local markets from expensive inspections designed to protect the large scale consumer from food contamination.

Senator Max Baucus is organizing meetings to bring together small business owners with economic development groups to explain the benefits of APEC, which stands for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. The objectives of APEC is to sustain the growth and development of each region participating in the program for the common good of its people, contributing to the growth and development of the world economy. We have the opportunity to dissect this opportunity and pick out all of the negatives we can in order to say no to the proposal, or we can look at the big picture and find those ideas that would be beneficial to raising our standard of living here in Montana, while sharing our strengths with others who are greatly in need of our expertise. The goal here is to make Montana goods much more visible to the rest of the world, thus increasing trade, strengthening our economy and our standard of living. Informational meetings were held in Bozeman, Kalispell, Helena, Missoula, Billings, Butte, and Great Falls in preparation for the May event at Big Sky Resort.

Time, energy, and money are the three primary resources at our disposal to buy, sell, or trade. Generally speaking, if one has the money to spend, it is conceivable that s/he will simply purchase what one needs, without having to give it a second thought. Financial stability is certainly important in maintaining safety and dependability in society, but the ability to discern the difference between what one needs and what one wants is vitally important when the budget dictates less spending. Grasping the opportunities at hand and embracing the simple pleasures and heartfelt satisfaction of creating something of our own will give us the resources to encourage others.

Farmers Markets abound with those creative people who found real joy and a sense of accomplishment by producing and selling the fruits of their labor, knowing that in each sale is confirmation that their work is valued by the customer in front of them. Visit your local Farmers Markets this summer in Big Sky, Bozeman, Livingston, and other surrounding areas. Bozeman hosts a winter market at the Emerson Cultural Center every other Saturday from October through April. Craftapalooza is held at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, finishing April 2 and April 16. The Bogart Farmers market begins in June and ends in September and is held every Tuesday evening from 5pm to 8pm at Bogert Park on South Church. The Bozeman Farmers Market at the Fairgrounds is held every Saturday morning from 9am to noon, July through September. The Livingston Market is held every Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:30 beginning on the first Wednesday in June and ending the last Wednesday of September on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Sacajawea Park. The Big Sky Market is held in the Town Center from 5-8 pm on Wednesday evenings beginning the first week in July and ending the first week in September. Support your local businesses and let them know who you are.

One will always find support for whatever decision one makes in life. We can choose to look to the outside world for confirmation, or we can exercise as much control as possible to maintain our independent lives. Freedom is our choice and our right, and by knowing what we really cannot live without, and what we simply want to have to satisfy a whim that serves no real purpose, will enable us to remain loyal to the simple life that is available for the choosing. Supporting our own businesses first creates a foundation of interdependency that fosters prosperity in every sense of the word. Everyone involved in each transaction and conversation is communicating a need that is fulfilled by the sharing, strengthening our community and all those whose lives are touched by our own prosperity.

Janice Aldrow is a single parent who has lived in Bozeman since 1985. She earned her degree in Family and Consumer Science Education and has written a book The Art of Money Management published in 2005.