New State Fruit: If You Have To Guess, Are You Even From Montana?

As if there would be any other fruit of bearing the Montana name, the Huckleberry is now officially the fruit of the Big Sky State.

First, I have to give a big virtual high five to kids at the Vaugh Elementary School near Great Falls. These kids did all the work in making this happen. KFYR TV broke the story yesterday. 

The Vaugh Elementary students went to bat and worked with Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway to create, and bring this awesome bill before the legislature. The Vaughn fourth graders testified on the bill before the legislature, and the fifth graders were able to speak to the Montana Senate.

Then there was only one more step

Governor Greg Gianforte joined the children to sign Bill 880, making the Huckleberry the official fruit of Montana. Gianforte was quoted as:

Whether you like them in jam, pancakes, or picked fresh off the bush, huckleberries are a Montana staple - Greg Gianforte via KFRY TV

He's not lying. I can't imagine a Summer in Montana without Huckleberry milkshakes, ice cream cones, smoothies, pancakes, and muffins... I mean there really isn't a whole lot you can't make with this Montana fruit. That's not only why they are so special to us Montanans. Getting out and picking Huckleberries is almost a right of passage. What a great way to get out and enjoy our vast landscape, and hit up your secret spot with friends and family and fill up a few buckets of this delicious fruit. Once again, congrats and great job to the students at Vaughn Elementary!