Fergus County

Fergus County is in the heart of Montana, with Lewistown as the county seat, while Petroleum County sits just east with the county seat in Winnett. The Fergus County population is around 11,750 compared to 500 in Petroleum County. These two counties consist of 6,024 square miles, and both are bordered by the Missouri River to the north and the Big Snowy Mountains to the south. The local economy is dominated by agricultural production, with approximately $149 million in cash receipts from livestock and crops. Winter and spring wheat, barley, and hay are the major crops produced, with 68,000 beef cows and heifers that calved in 2023. Youth development activities are significant, as demonstrated by a 4-H program that includes 278 youth members and 79 adult leaders/volunteers.

4-H Traveling Farm visits the elderly

Fergus-Petroleum 4-H youth host an annual program to bring animals to local assisted living facilities in Lewistown. In April, 15 youths visited eight different nursing home/assisted living facilities. Youth have an opportunity to speak with a diverse group that they wouldn’t otherwise. These interactions give Fergus County youth time to practice public speaking and public relations skills. Animals in the traveling farm include rabbits, cats, dogs, ducks, chickens, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, and a goose. The traveling farm is always a hit with local assisted living residents, as many of them lived with animals before moving to assisted living or a nursing home.

Caption: Assisted living resident pets a visiting lamb.

Credit: Christina England

Animal Evaluation w/Homeschool Group

Fergus-Petroleum County MSU Extension taught a livestock evaluation class for a local homeschool group. Youth learned about animal evaluation and judging conformation and structure.

These identification skills will help with choosing high-quality animals. Following the live animal evaluation, youth were taught how visual appraisal of meat animals relates to the finished product. Explanations included gauging heavier-muscled animals, determining the amount of finish for an animal, and demonstrating the importance of meat quality.

Steak quality grades of choice or select were presented. After cooking steaks in the same way, youth tasted both quality grades to determine the preferred eating experience. A future class may include a demonstration of quality differences between species, as well as different cuts of meat so that Montana youth can be both informed producers and consumers.

Caption: Teaching Homeschool Group about Livestock Evaluation

Credit: Michelle Farley

Farm Safety Day

Farm Safety Day is hosted annually by the Fergus-Petroleum County 4-H Ambassador team to teach local youth about farm safety. Local schools were invited in April to the Central Montana Fairgrounds. Children in kindergarten to fifth grade attended from Lewistown, Hobson, Moore, Denton, Judith Gap, Stanford, Winifred, Roy and Winnett.

Youth learned about ATV safety, farm-to-table, and livestock safety. A demonstration on powerline safety was a hit, along with the horse and cattle safety. As a relatively rural county, the goal of this program is to teach local youth about potential hazards they might encounter and how to mitigate risks. Although some Fergus County youth live in a more urban environment, it is important they understand farm safety basics, as many of them have friends and family living on farms and ranches.

Caption: Central Montana youth participate in Farm Safety Day.

Credit: Christina England

Freezer Meal Cooking Class

Fergus County MSU Extension held a September class on preparing and making freezer meals. Freezer meals are a way to store time- and money-saving readymade meals that are easy to reheat or cook. The class covered safe food storage methods and how to prevent freezer burn and included meal prep time for three easy meals for participants to take home.

Ag Legacy Program

In December and early January, in conjunction with Musselshell-Golden Valley, Fergus-Petroleum MSU Extension offered an Ag Legacy Program. The program provided information for agriculture producers to successfully pass along ownership of a family farm or ranch.

Participants learned about succession planning for transitioning ownership to the next generation, financial options, evaluating contracts, types of leases and grant opportunities, and marketing agricultural products. Speakers included MSU Extension specialists and industry professionals to give producers the most current and updated information. The program was offered in Winnett, Lewistown, Ryegate, and Roundup.

Contact

712 West Main Street
Lewistown, MT
406-535-3919
https://www.montana.edu/extension/fergus/