Stillwater County

Stillwater County, located in south-central Montana is 1800 square miles with a population of 9,000. From the plains to the north and the mountains to the south we share diverse geography with recreational opportunities for all. Columbus is the county seat and located 40 miles west of Billings and home to Montana Silversmiths producing custom belt buckles for major Western events. In 2024 Stillwater County experienced a major layoff of roughly 700 Sibanye Stillwater Mine employees (the largest employer of the county) and awaits the economic impacts of this transition.

Leadership32 community-based leadership program

Montana has the highest demand for leaders behind North Dakota, and in Montana that means that 1 in every 22 adults needs to hold a leadership position (president, secretary, treasurer). Leadership is the foundation of community development and vitality. In September of 2023, MSU Stillwater County Extension (Haley Barker) and Stillwater County Economic Development (Stephanie Ray and Amy Stadel) teamed up to bring a leadership program right here to Stillwater County. Building a community-based leadership program is a long-term strategy to cultivate more leaders, and more effective leaders. The long-term benefits to the community include effective organizations, more projects, more funding, progress toward long-term goals, and the ability to survive and thrive in crisis. We coined the phrase “we are the they” as our catch phrase for this year’s leadership program. This phrase came from a state-wide Reimagining Rural initiative project based out of another small community. We so often hear, “wow, THEY really should do this, or THEY really should do that” (in reference to subjects read or seen on television) well, it’s safe to say WE are the THEY. If we want to see change, we need to be part of the solution to change. This program focuses on building leadership skills, learning more about yourself as a leader and learning more about your community and the assets it provides. This program is open to anyone interested in gaining more leadership skills. At the conclusion of the program the leadership participants engage in a community project to give back to their local place. And we are excited and ready for year 2 of our Leadership32 program!

Caption: Leadership32 at Tippet Rise

Credit: unknown

Little Free Libraries

The Stillwater County 4-H program consists of approximately 200 members learning and engaging with 35 adult volunteer leaders. One of the local clubs, the Beartooth Ramblers applied for a People Partner Grant with the Montana 4-H Foundation and partnered with the local Stillwater County Library to construct little libraries to be placed throughout all of Stillwater County. The little libraries are a place for individuals to take a book or leave a book for someone to enjoy.

Caption: Little Free Libraries

Credit: Tammi Kirch

Water bath Canning 101

FCS agent Haley Barker presented a course on water bath canning at the new Ace Civic Center. The course focused on canning safety and best practices. The course went through techniques and the science behind canning process through the decades. Participants made pickles and salsa to take home and enjoy.

Caption: Water bath canning basics.

Credit: Haley Barker

Contact

17 North 4th Street
P.O. Box 807
Columbus, MT 59019
406-322-8035
https://www.montana.edu/extension/stillwater/index.html