Bring your apples to press at Bee

In Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front region, the landscape’s beauty comes with a unique set of challenges, particularly when managing human-wildlife conflicts. One significant issue in the fall is the attraction of bears to unharvested apples in residential areas. Bears are known to be drawn to ripe, accessible fruits, and this attraction can lead to conflicts with humans through dangerous encounters and property damage. However, a community-driven solution — apple gleaning — offers a tasty way to address this problem while fostering local connections, increasing food security, and providing access to more local foods.

Teton County Extension is looking for trees in and around Choteau that can be gleaned. Please contact the Extension office if you would like to donate your unharvested apples. The apples gleaned will then be used at upcoming community events to be pressed into fresh apple cider to be enjoyed by all at no cost, until we run out.

Join Extension throughout September and October to make apple cider. The cider press will be available for community use at three upcoming fall events in Choteau. Simply bring your own apples and a clean jug. The first event with the cider press will be at the Threshing Bee on Friday, Sept. 20, and Saturday, Sept. 21. The second event will be the Rocky Mountain Front Farmer’s Market on Saturday, Sept. 28. The third event will be the American Legion Fall Festival, on Saturday, Oct. 5. With a show of local support, cider pressing can become a fun annual community event and a great strategy to embrace living in bear country.

Even if you do not donate your fruit, there are actions that you can take to protect your family, property, and wildlife by following a few simple strategies:

•Pick apples promptly: Bears are more likely to come into human areas when fruit is readily available. Regularly harvest apples as they ripen to avoid leaving an abundant supply that could attract bears. Contact the Extension Office if you would like to learn more about preserving the apples collected from your own trees.

•Clean up fallen fruit: Fallen apples on the ground can be a major draw for bears. Collect and dispose of fallen fruit frequently. Composting or using animal-proof bins can help manage waste without attracting wildlife.

•Be bear aware: Educate yourself about bear behavior and signs of their presence. If you notice signs of bears in your area, such as scat or tracks, increase vigilance and take additional precautions.

By following these strategies, you can enjoy apple picking while reducing the risk of conflicts with bears, ensuring a safer environment for both people and wildlife.

If you are interested in volunteering to glean apples or would like to donate your fruits, please contact the Extension Office for more information at 406-466-2491.

Let’s work together to keep our communities and wildlife safe—one apple at a time!

Shelby Jones-Dozier is the Teton County/MSU Extension agent who works with family and consumer science and the 4-H program. She can be reached at 406-466-2491 in the office or via email at shelby.jonesdozier@montana.edu.