Big Horn County

Big Horn County is located in south central Montana and is the sixth-largest county in the state. It encompasses 5,023 square miles and includes the Crow Reservation and part of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Over 13,000 residents call Big Horn County home. There are over three million acres in farm or ranch land production and cattle are the primary livestock. Big Horn County also produces hay, wheat, barley, corn, sugar beets and other crops. Big Horn County MSU Extension serves communities by offering programs in agriculture and natural resources, providing 4-H youth development and partnering with individuals and organizations in community vitality projects and programs.

Establishing Trees in Montana

As part of the annual Big Horn County Ladies Ag Night event, Big Horn County MSU Extension provided a program about successful tree establishment in Big Horn County, where it can be very challenging to grow trees to maturity, and the number of species that survive is relatively small. Sixty-one participants completed evaluation forms, with 95 percent reporting they learned something new from the program.

They received information about tree selection, watering, supporting young trees, and pruning techniques and maintenance tasks for tree health. Participants provided a range of feedback showing what they learned and what they would apply at home after the program, including “prune in winter; remove tree supports sooner; pick trees that will grow and thrive in the area; and use dirt in the center when planting a bare root tree." Implementing the education and techniques will increase the health and longevity of trees in Big Horn County.

Caption: Tree in a Big Horn County park

Credit: Andrea Berry

What is a Weed?

In partnership with Yellowstone County MSU Extension and Abi Saeed, MSU Horticulture Specialist, Big Horn County MSU Extension offered a Garden Day in June. Presentations covered pollinators and their habitat, worm composting and hands-on weed identification, with a seed and plant swap at the end. Of the 15 participants in the lesson on weeds, 12 reported they learned something they didn’t know. They intended to apply new knowledge to “quit tasting plants I find” and “use Extension to help identify plants.”

Implementating this information will lead to greater personal safety and more accurate plant identification. Participants expressed appreciation for the seed and plant swap and the entire workshop. Yellowstone County MSU Extension and Big Horn County MSU Extension plan to provide additional gardening classes and events together.

Caption: Weeds growing in gravel

Credit: Andrea Berry

Dye Day

Local members of a fiber arts group wanted to experience using different wool dyes and techniques, so a class was offered in September on natural/plant dyeing, including the use of mordants, making a dye bath with plants, the use of indigo, which requires unique conditions, along with vat and steam dyeing using commercial dyes. Participants included adults and children. Wool was dyed using all of the methods listed, and samples were provided to participants after the dyed wool was washed and dried. Eight participant evaluations showed all had learned something new.

Children planned to use the safety information they learned, most notably stating “ I will wear gloves,” which results specifically in safer handling of dyes, and generally chemicals of all kinds. The adults reported they would “try steam dyeing” and “dye more often and use different techniques” at home. Most adults reported significant gains in knowledge, using a ranked scale, 80 percent reported an increase in knowledge from a 1 to a 5 due to the class. Increased awareness of dye materials and dye processes can result in increased appreciation of and care for dyed fabrics and garments, and a greater awareness of chemical safety practices.

Caption: Dyed yarn and wool roving

Credit: Andrea Berry

4-H Knitting Curriculum Activities

As part of evaluating a new Level One 4-H Knitting Curriculum, two classes were offered to 4-H members at 4-H Congress in July 2024. Using several of the activities from the new project book, participants learned about plant and animal fibers, how they are used in clothing and how to properly care for yarn and garments by reading labels and following laundry instructions. Of 32 participant evaluations, 70 percent reported they would use what they learned, and 30 said they might or might not use the information.

There were various comments on planned changes participants intended to make after the class. These included: “I will wash my clothes more according to the label; I will take care when choosing yarn for my projects; look and read yarn labels; and I will look at clothing material before purchasing." Increased awareness of yarn and clothing fibers and careful attention to laundry instructions will lead to better care of clothing and knitted items, enabling cost savings and informed purchasing.

Caption: Bowl of yarn with knitting needles

Credit: Bakr Berry-Maghamseh

Contact

P. O. Box 908
Hardin, MT 59034
406-665-9774
https://www.montana.edu/extension/bighorn/