The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Great Falls, MT- Fitness, food and farming will be center stage at the Bangs Family Farm near Inverness September 17 for the 5K on the Farm fun run event. The farm is located near Inverness and owned and operated by Tom and Carol Bangs. Event organizers Jeff and Katie Bangs, son and daughter-in-law of Tom and Carol, are active members of Montana Farmers Union. Jeff and Katie were the 2014 Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Couple. In addition, Katie has served on the Montana Farmers Union Women’s Committee and also served on the National Farmers Union Next Generation Advisory Council. Jeff and Katie have also represented MFU as delegates at the National Farmers Union Convention.

“My husband and I decided to do the race with several goals in mind,” said event organizer Katie Bangs. “ First, we wanted to show that fitness and farming are lifestyle choices that can go together. We also wanted to build community in our rural neighborhood. Lastly, we wanted to give back to an organization that has meant a lot to us, and to many rural Montanans, in Montana Farmers Union.”

Katie said in the race’s first year they had 120 runners and volunteers, and were blown away by the turnout. The Bangs plan to donate the majority of race proceeds to Montana Farmers Union women’s educational programming and leadership training. If the race continues to grow and surpass expectations the Bangs will also consider donating some proceeds to local charities.