Hill County

The Hill County Extension Office has two full-time Montana State University Extension agents and one full-time administrative assistant. The Extension Office serves a population of 16,179 residents. Hill County, which encompasses 2,916 square miles in northcentral Montana, borders Canada to the north with Havre being the county seat with a growing population of 9,314 residents. One of the main economic drivers in Hill County is agriculture. The primary sources of employment for Hill County include the U.S. Border Patrol, BNSF Railroad, healthcare and education. The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation is located in the southeast corner of the county with a population of 3,794 residents. Montana State University and the United States Department of Agriculture provide funding for education and outreach in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, natural resources, horticulture and 4-H youth development.

Seven County 4-H Camp Held in Hill County

Camp Kiwanis in the Bears Paw mountains is the home to a seven county 4-H camp engaging youth development through outdoor activities and 4-H project-based workshops. 100 campers, 13 counselors, 10 agents and 4 volunteers participated in camp 2024. New skills and friends were gained as the group learned, played, ate, entertained and danced the 2 nights and 3 days away. Since 4-H members learn best by doing 4-H camp is always a great way to teach new skills. Favorite workshops this year included friendship bracelets, canoeing, archery, basketball, and after school snacks. 98% of participants said they would return to camp if given the opportunity.

Caption: Youth Enjoying 4-H Camp

Credit: Kati Purkett

Interstate Exchange Keeps Teens Free from Online Distractions

Teens are spending more time instant messaging, using cell phone texting, and on social sites online and less time engaged in in person activities with peers (Pierce, 2009). Hill County 4-H interstate exchange members had the opportunity to share Hill County and other parts of Montana with newfound friends from Sterns County Minnesota. 17 youth and 9 adults were involved in the 8-night adventure. Members visited Havre Beneath the Streets, Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump, H. Earl Clack Museum, Blaine County Wildlife Museum, a rodeo at the Blaine County Fair, Gates of the Mountains boat tour, trolley tours in Helena, and spent time in Bear Paws Mountains. Through engaging activities teens ages 12-18 spent time off their devices and enjoyed each other’s company in person. Ice breakers, kick ball games, hiking, canoeing, shopping and crafting rounded out the visit. 100% of the participants were able to vocalize their favorite part of the exchange, and 95% plan to be involved in the second year of the exchange taking place in Sterns County. The teens fundraise 100% of the monies used for the 2 -year exchange by putting on a dinner and silent auction. This increases their ability to work with others in person for a common goal. Pierce, T. (2009). Social anxiety and technology: Face-to-face communication versus technological communication among teens. Computers in human behavior, 25(6), 1367-1372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.06.003

Caption: 2024 Hill/Sterns County 4-H Intrastate Exchange Group

Credit: Kati Purkett

MSU Extension Hill County Partners with Stone Child Extension

MSU Extension Hill County has been partnering with Stone Child College on the Rocky Boy reservation for the past 2 years. Stone Child College put on a Cattleman’s College Series, where they asked MSU Extension Hill County’s Ag and Natural Resources agent, Colleen Pegar to create hour long workshops on 6 different topics of cattle production. In these one-hour sessions Pegar presented branding, vaccinations, buying bulls, grazing management, heard health, marketing your calves, nutrition and calving. As a result of this current partnership, Pegar has presented to an average of 7 attendees at each workshop. When asked how will you use the information presented today, participants reported that they would apply it to their current management of their herd. The topics presented are varied and cover multiple topics in an hour.

Caption: Cow-Calf Pair

Credit: Colleen Pegar

Montana Association of County Agriculture Agents’ Online Auction

Montana will be the host site for the 2025 National Association of County Agriculture Agents AM-PIC Conference. There will be approximately 1200 county agents from across the nation in MT next summer. This conference is beneficial to all as it provides an avenue for agents to share information and learn from other extension educators across the nation. As an active member of the Montana Association of County Agriculture Agents, Colleen Pegar chaired the online fundraising auction in order to raise funds to offset the cost of hosting a national meeting. Pegar along with 5 colleagues worked to get items donated, cataloged and presented on the online platform. The auction ran for 2 weeks and included 49 items from across the Western U.S. There were 92 registered participants and the funds raised totaled just over 8200 dollars. The raised funds will go towards conference costs.

Caption: NACAA 2025 Logo

Credit: Communications Team

Contact

315 Fourth Street
Havre, MT 59501
406-400-2333
https://www.montana.edu/extension/hill/