Sanders County

MSU Extension in Sanders County provides educational programs in the areas of Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Community Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences. Sanders County is located in Northwestern Montana. It is bordered on the west by Idaho’s Panhandle and is Montana’s 15th most populous county with a population of about 12,400. There is a diverse mix of agricultural land, small acreage subdivisions, rural communities and range or forested land. The highest number of jobs are in farming, fishing, forestry, and construction. Sanders County includes the city of Thompson Falls as the county seat, Plains, Hot Springs, Dixon, Trout Creek, Noxon, and Heron. Sanders County is supported by Commissioners Anthony Cox, John Holland and Dan Rowan.

SNAP-Ed Improving Health Outcomes

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) continued to play a vital role in fostering health and wellness within the community. Through engaging classes that focused on the importance of nutrition, physical activity, food budgeting, and food safety, SNAP-Ed reached a broad audience, including SNAP-eligible adults and elementary school students. Over the course of the grant year, 153 SNAP-Ed classes were delivered. By working closely with local organizations and partnering with seven school districts, these sessions helped promote healthier lifestyle choices. Additionally, a virtual 9-week series on healthy meal planning was made available to participants beyond the typical service areas, offering a flexible self-paced curriculum with interactive weekly webinars led by the SNAP-Ed instructor. In addition to classroom instruction, SNAP-Ed played an active role in supporting the county’s WINter Wellness Program, aimed at boosting physical activity. This initiative saw a 51% rise in participation from the previous year, with 103 community members involved. Local businesses rallied behind the program, offering incentives to further encourage engagement. Looking forward, SNAP-Ed in Sanders County remains dedicated to continuing and expanding these impactful efforts, offering valuable resources and education to improve community health outcomes.

Caption: Adult Community Cooking Class

Credit: Adobe Stock Image

4-H= Positive Youth Development

Demonstrations Prepare Members for Future Public Speaking More than 130 4-H members participated in the county demonstration program building the life skills of communications, planning and organizing, self-motivation, responsibility, self-discipline and learning to learn. These life skills reward demonstrators in their adult lives. 4-H alumni testimonials credit experience gained via the Sanders County 4-H Public Speaking Program as very valuable. Youth Learn Leadership at State 4-H Congress Sanders County 4-H members earn the opportunity to compete at the Montana 4-H Congress Contests. This year a larger and talented delegation, 13 attendees represented Sanders County in the Demonstration, Public Speaking, Stir-ups, and Hippology contests as well as attended to represent the Sanders County Ambassador Program. Our Hippology Team placed first and will represent Montana at the National 4-H Round-up in Denver, CO this coming January. Cody Hafner and Kara Christensen were awarded trips to attend National 4-H Conference in Atlanta, GA in November. 4-H Projects Teach Life Skills to Members at County Fair Over Labor Day weekend each year, approximately 160 Sanders County 4-H members, their families, and leaders come together for the County Fair. The purpose of the fair is to enrich the learning experience of the 4-H member through exhibiting project work they have completed the past year. It serves as a learning laboratory for youth going far beyond winning ribbons. The County Fair provides a backdrop for youth to reflect on the important life skills they have learned and about their own personal accomplishments. Leaders and members work together as a team preparing to put on livestock shows, display exhibits, serve delicious food raising funds for the program, and sharing the value of 4-H to the community.

Caption: First Place 2024 Hippology Team

Credit: Juli Thurston

Ladies Who Ag Draws Women in All Walks of Agriculture Together

Ladies Who Ag-Sanders County was founded in March 2024 to empower, support, educate, and connect women from all areas of agriculture. The founding members—Wendy Carr (MSU Extension Sanders County), Carissa McNamara (Montana Farmers Union), Melinda Anakalea (Harlow Ranch Bison Company), Morgan Owens (Green Mountain Conservation), and Emily Baker (Eastern Sanders County Conservation District)—aimed to create a community where women in agriculture could learn from one another. The group’s first event was held at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Wendy Carr gave a keynote speech titled "Agriculture’s Healing Powers," sharing how agriculture has positively impacted her life. A panel of women from diverse backgrounds, including generational agriculture, newcomers, and advocates, shared their stories and answered questions. With 85 women attending the inaugural event, the founding members realized the group was filling an important need in the community. As Emily Baker expressed, “WOW! What a night... a group like this was apparently much needed, and we are so excited to see it come to fruition!” Since then, the group has hosted additional events focused on advocacy in agriculture and self-care for busy agricultural lives. One participant from a Ladies Who Ag BBQ commented, “I didn't realize how many diverse and talented ladies are here in Sanders County... now I'm so excited to get more involved.” The final event of the summer was held at Harlow Ranch Bison Company. Participants learned about regenerative agriculture and forestry practices and enjoyed a sunset horseback ride. Harlow Ranch summed up the event: “We’re so grateful for the laughter, conversations, and the chance to build a stronger community together!” Thanks to Montana Farmers Union for sponsoring the local food for all events, Ladies Who Ag has already made a significant impact and looks forward to continued success in Sanders County.

Caption: Ladies Who Ag Sunset Ride

Credit: Morgan Owens

Pedal to Farm Tour Explores Local Sustainable Agriculture

It was a crisp, summery morning when 70 enthusiastic bicyclists started on a 30-mile bike ride that would bring them on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Western Montana's agricultural landscapes. The inaugural Clark Fork River Pedal & Farm Tour took place on Saturday, August 17th. MSU Extension Sanders County, Montana Farmers Union, and Kaniksu Land Trust joined forces to plan and host this memorable bike ride that offered participants a unique opportunity to explore the region’s diverse farms while enjoying the scenic beauty along the Clark Fork River. The goal of the event was to connect residents and visitors with the lands and food growers that contribute so much to the community. The tour featured visits to several sustainable farms, each offering a glimpse into local food production and sustainable farming practices. Highlights of the tour included stops at 3H Simmental Ranch, Marjerrison Mill, Cavill Ranch, Wild Horse Lavender, Marjerrison Family Farm, and Cold Spring Ranch. Each stop showed a different aspect of farming in Western Montana, from cattle operations for seed stock and beef to consumer, to logging and milling lumber, to a newly established lavender and cut flower farm, to ranches that have been in the family for generations, the diversity that was represented on one windy road along the Clark Fork River was astounding! Sanders County Fairgrounds, fondly referred to as the “last of the best,” held the starting and ending points where participants were treated to locally baked cinnamon rolls in the morning. Upon returning, hungry participants were served a locally grown and sourced meal cooked by the Hot Springs FFA. The feast included pulled beef or bison sandwiches, roasted green beans, baked beans, cucumber salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, cubed melon, dessert, and a complimentary wine or beer drink token. While participants took a well-earned break to enjoy their food, live music from Spa City Sound provided the perfect backdrop to this farm-to-table experience. Local Agricultural Vendors showcased and sold their goods bringing this event full circle back to supporting and sustaining local Agriculture. Our inaugural event was so well accepted that our next Pedal and Farm Tour has already been scheduled for August 2, 2025. We look forward to planning another tour that will introduce participants to Agriculture along a new route in Sanders County!

Caption: Alan Hafner from 3H Simmental Ranch explains their Seed Stock operation to Pedal and Farm Tour Participants

Credit: Wendy Carr

Contact

2504 Tradewinds Way
Thompson Falls, MT
406-827-6934
https://www.montana.edu/extension/sanders