Broadwater County

MSU Extension in Broadwater County is a partnership between Broadwater County, Montana State University, and the United States Department of Agriculture. This partnership provides educational outreach in Agriculture/Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Community Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences. The office in Broadwater County houses one MSU Extension Agent and an Administrative Assistant who also serves as the Fair Manager. Broadwater County is a fast-growing county with a population of about 7,793. The county encompasses 796,000 acres of agricultural land, small acreage subdivisions, rural communities, and range or forested land. With about 45 percent of the county in public land, the area is popular for recreation, especially around Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Primary industries include agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and services. Townsend is the county seat and home to the Extension office. 

 

4-H Continues to Grow and Thrive

Even though the pandemic slowed 4-H program growth, it has gradually recovered and is back to pre-pandemic levels. This year, 143 club members enrolled and were supported by 64 certified volunteers who lead clubs, organize project work, serve on committees, and coordinate events and activities. On average, volunteers spent eight hours per month with 4-H. The time equates to a value of more than $177,638 to support local youth in 2024.

Due to a growing 4-H program, leaders and the Extension office have made families new to 4-H a priority to help them find program success. For families who aren’t familiar with the 4-H program, the learning curve can be steep. Two ‘New 4-H Family Nights’ were offered to provide information; one was held in November on record books, project work and 4-H activities, and the other was held in July to help new families prepare for the Fair. More than 20 youth and their families attended the sessions.

Another highlight of the 4-H year was hosting 4-H Interstate Exchange members from Bradford County, Pennsylvania. For one week, 14 4-H members and two chaperones from Pennsylvania experienced life in southwest Montana. Fifteen Broadwater County 4-H members hosted in their homes, shared 4-H projects, explored tourist attractions and shared our Montana lifestyle. Exchange programs are an important educational experience for 4-H teens by giving them a chance to experience a culture different from their own and helping participants recognize the value of diversity.

Caption: 4-H Interstate Exchange participants from Montana and Pennsylvania at Yellowstone National Park.

Credit: Allison Kosto

Community Solutions for Childcare Challenges

In 2023, Broadwater County was identified as a childcare desert due to the closure of several childcare providers and less than 15 percent of childcare needs being met. Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent, took the lead on a local childcare action team. This group focused on developing community-based childcare solutions. The group became part of a statewide community cohort to improve capacity for childcare. Through the process, they received $10,000 in grant funds. With the grant, a program coordinator was hired to further community work.

Funds were also used for data collection, community meetings, public outreach, provider appreciation, staff training, and marketing. Two surveys were published with data on the needs of families and existing childcare providers. As a result of the efforts, Townsend’s first childcare center opened in January 2024, followed by another group provider in July 2024. These two providers more than doubled the childcare capacity in the community. Additionally, because of the data collection, Townsend Schools expanded their summer program for school-aged youth. In the fall of 2024, the group formalized its structure and was named the Broadwater Community Childcare Link.

Caption: A snapshot of the 2024 Family Survey results.

Controlling Vertebrate Pests in Broadwater County

In the summer of 2024, MSU Broadwater County Extension co-hosted a Vertebrate Pest Workshop with the Montana Department of Agriculture. The training focused on how to manage agriculture vertebrate pests through classroom instruction, hands-on activities and field experiences. One of the innovative techniques shared was different trapping techniques and new trap styles that were safer for users, kids and pets.

A new style of trap for the Richardson Ground Squirrel is called Lee's Gopher Trap and is manufactured in Canada. There is only one distributor in the U.S., and it is several hours’ drive from Townsend. Extension Agent Allison Kosto contacted the distributor, who agreed to sell directly to their office. As of the fall of 2024, 174 traps have been sold in Broadwater County. Several entities returned to purchase more because they were impressed with the trap’s ease of use and success rates. Five public entities purchased the traps, including the Fairgrounds, golf course, airport, county maintenance and the Forest Service. These traps are a great option on public property when options are limited. With standard traps, baiting and fumigation are often deemed too risky. The Fairgrounds dispatched more than a dozen gophers in less than a week using the traps.

Another style of trap for use on pocket gophers called the Gopher Hawk, was highlighted at the training. Pocket gophers are not as widespread as the Richardson Ground Squirrel in Broadwater County. However, for producers that have pocket gophers, they are a major issue. At least two agriculture producers purchased and are successfully using the Gopher Hawk because of the program. The Extension Agent also used the Gopher Hawk in a demonstration for an Advanced Gardening Integrated Pest Management Workshop.

Caption: Field activities during the 2024 Vertebrate Pest Workshop in Broadwater County.

Credit: Allison Kosto

Advancing Gardening Skills

To help local gardeners further their skills and knowledge, Extension Agent Allison Kosto designed an Advanced Gardening Course geared for people who were already Level 1 Master Gardeners and/or those with gardening experience.

A series of four classes were offered in the spring of 2024. Topics included native plants, season extension methods, plant propagation and advanced plant growth through classroom instruction and hands-on activities. During the summer, another workshop in the series focused on hands-on garden and tree pest identification and management.

The Advanced Gardening Course was attended by 25 participants. On program evaluation, all participants strongly agreed or agreed their general gardening knowledge had increased because of the program. Additionally, many participants planned to implement new knowledge in the next gardening season. These practices included utilizing plant propagation methods, further research on season extension, incorporating native plants into the landscape, and general gardening techniques such as seed starting and selection. Eight people participated in both classes. Participants completed a Pest Scavenger Hunt followed by a tour to correctly identify garden and tree pests and discuss control options and saw demonstrations of trapping pocket gophers and systemic pesticide control for aphid management in fruit trees.

Class participants gained hands-on experience with pest identification, control and management thresholds, resulting in a significant increase in knowledge. For many people, the first reaction to a pest is a need for control, when that may not be the best first step. During the class, Kosto successfully trapped a pocket gopher and was able to show damage and dirt mounds caused by the pocket gopher. No one in the class had seen a live pocket gopher before. One participant said, "I always thought I had voles. Now I realize I actually have pocket gophers." Another participant shared, "I have NEVER seen that many pests in real life. I have a whole new appreciation for diagnosing pests and a better foundation on where to start looking. Plus, the pesticide application demo made me realize I don't think nearly enough about options for treating issues."

Caption: Class participants complete an activity to identify parts of a branch.

Credit: Allison Kosto

Contact

416 Broadway
Townsend MT 59644
406-266-9242
https://www.montana.edu/extension/broadwater/