March 2, 2001: Tunia arrived at in Mrs. Rudolph's class at J - I Elementary School , but she isn't seeing much today as it is so foggy. However, her first two days were sunny and warm, 30 to 35 degrees above zero! Tunia is seeing many dormant trees in this rural area. The farmers are starting to get the tractors and drills ready for spring seeding of spring wheat and durum. Some farmers plant canola and barley. Because of a drought, there is a serious water shortage, and we may not see many flower gardens this year. A town near here made it illegal to water flowerbeds last year, as there wasn't enough drinking water.

March 9, 2001: Yesterday, Thursday, was so nice. It was 55 degrees. Today is a different story. The wind was blowing and the snow was falling. In spite of the weather, there are day lilies growing in flowerbeds. It is really interesting to go for rides out in the country. Many farmers no longer farm. They get paid not to farm. The program is called CRP, which stands for Conservation Reserve Program. The government wants the land to be suitable for coyotes, deer, rabbits, and many kinds of birds. The farmers plant the fields with many kinds of native grasses. Mrs. Rudolph is going to try to find out what the grasses are called. Tunia will be getting her picture taken in Montana soon so everyone will know why Montana is called the Big Sky Country. It sure is beautiful.

March 16, 2001: Tunia is now on her way to Wisconsin. While here in Montana, she was a little disappointed that there was nothing growing. As of yet, winter wheat has not pushed its way up through the soil. The soil hasn't warmed enough. This week, the forecast is for the temperature to be in the middle 50's. Had Tunia been able to visit in May, she would have seen many ladybugs around here. Mrs. Rudolph and her husband purchase ladybugs every year to set free in their fields. By doing so, they hope to have the ladybugs flourish as they eat the bad bugs' eggs in their wheat fields.

Tunia's visit was in a rural town of about 50 people. Inverness has a post office, bar/café, gas station and Catholic church. The next closest town is Joplin. There are about 250 people in Joplin. Joplin has a post office, bar, small grocery store and Lutheran church. The school is in both towns. Kids in Kindergarten - Grade 6 attend in Inverness. Kids in seventh through twelfth grades attend in Joplin. The total number of students in Kindergarten - Grade 12 is 87. There is real concern about the possibility that the schools might close. It won't happen next fall, but it is inevitable.

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Find information about Montana at 50states.com.