Posted: Jan 21, 2012 12:14 PM by Jen Hollenbach (Great Falls)
Updated: Jan 21, 2012 1:09 PM
More than 200 vendors from around the region are participating in the the 34th annual Montana Agriculture & Industrial Expo, better known as the MAGIE, in Great Falls.
One of those vendors is Harold Bouma, who is something of a legend at the event.
Jim Sargent, the Ag Director for radio station KMON, noted, "He's been here for 32 years, and coming up on 60 years with Bouma Post Yard. He is the backbone of what we do here in Montana"
Bouma founded Bouma Post Yard in 1953; he recalled, "What happened is we went to Kalispell to buy a load of posts, because we were farming at the time. When we'd come home farmers would ask if we were selling them. So after three trips, we realized there was a business there."
In the last 59 years, Bouma Post Yard has transformed into a thriving business - and a landmark at the MAGIE.
Harold said, "It's always the same place. We've been in this spot all but three years. They just look for our booth and know we're here."
Bouma is the longest attending vendor of the MAGIE, which has become the largest ag show in the state of Montana.
Bouma says this has been the best year yet for sales, already exceeding last year's numbers.
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