Toole County

Toole County is made up of 1,915 square miles and has a population rate of 2.8 persons per square mile. The incorporated city of Shelby, population 3,376, serves as the county seat. Other Toole County cities and towns include Ethridge, Galata, Kevin, Oilmont, Sunburst, and Sweetgrass. Situated in northern Montana, Canada provides the northern boundary, with the Marias River flowing along a major portion of the southern boundary. Mining, agriculture, utilities, and transportation and warehousing are competitively positioned for growth and new business opportunities. These capitalize on the county's geographic location (major rail service, east/west & north/south highways, on the Canadian border, access to raw materials). Toole County MSU Extension's 4-H program is unique in Montana because of the Four-County Marias Fair, held at the Marias Fairgrounds outside of Shelby. Our 100 4-H members join together with Pondera, Glacier, and Liberty County to exhibit projects and sell their livestock at the Marias Fair.

Agritourism Conference

On Friday, May 3, MSU hosted the "Building Agritourism from the Ground Up: Inviting You to the Table" conference, focused on the intersection of agriculture and tourism. The event featured expert speakers, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. The conference is the culmination of the Montana Agritourism Fellows Program, which launched in 2022 to support Montana producers in building sustainable agritourism operations. The 14 Agritourism Fellows, representing nine Montana communities, spent the past year learning about business management, media relations, and agritourism best practices through hands-on visits to agritourism sites. Conference sessions will cover essential topics such as starting an agritourism business, marketing and communication strategies, funding opportunities, and public engagement. Featured speakers include Cole Mannix of Old Salt Co-op, Nick DeCastro of LandTrust, and experts from the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research. The event aimed to connect professionals across tourism, agriculture, education, and community development sectors for a day of learning and collaboration. This conference offered valuable insights and networking opportunities for those interested in the growing field of agritourism.

Caption: The Agritourism Fellows

Credit: John Hawley

Homesteader Series

The Homesteader Series started with filling a need for educational workshops in the area that teach participants about agriculture. MSU Extension Toole County and the Toole County NRCS has collaborated on this series. We have hosted four Homesteader Series workshops all together. They have been about shelter belts, backyard chickens, beekeeping, baking bread with local grains, and hydroponics. We planned the workshops and advertised the workshops on the local radio, newspaper, Facebook pages, and email lists. Many of our participants have been returning to each workshop and are excited for future workshops. The workshop series fulfills an educational and social need for the community. Our next workshop will be on making rain barrels for your own garden and participants are able to take them home.

Caption: Hannah Kultgen showing off her hydroponics

Credit: Kim Woodring

Shelby Community Activity Fair

The purpose of the Activity Fair was to create a space for new members of the community to learn about what activities Shelby has to offer. The Chamber Director and MSU Extension Toole County partnered and created a list of organizations to invite and advertised the event to the school and community. Families that came are more likely to join a club or activity now that they know about the organization. Over 200 parents and children were present. Evaluations were provided to booths. We will plan this again next year and make changes based on evaluation. I had a booth for 4-H and CASA. Over 32 booths were registered to attend.

Caption: MSU Extension Toole County Booth at the Activity Fair

Credit: Kim Woodring

Toole County Ag Days

The MSU Toole County Extension successfully hosted its annual Ag Days program, engaging third-grade students from Shelby and Sunburst in a hands-on learning experience about agriculture. This collaborative initiative, which involves the Toole County Extension Office, Toole County Conservation District, NRCS Office, and local agriculture businesses, has been a cherished tradition for 22 years. The primary goal of Ag Days is to educate youth about the origins of their food and the significance of agriculture in our community. This year, students from Thad White’s agriculture class led a workshop on planting seeds, while the Scarborough family presented an interactive session on horse anatomy and saddles. In the afternoon, expert presenters facilitated workshop rotations, including lessons on pollinators by Misty Vermulm, Cindy Florez, and Riley Cameron, cattle digestion by Glacier County Extension Agent Kari Lewis, a food relay game by Lacy Roberts, ATV safety by Pam Converse, and a tractor safety demonstration by Toole County Extension Agent Kim Woodring, featuring a tractor donated by John Deere. The enthusiasm and eagerness of the students from Shelby were palpable, highlighting the program's effectiveness in fostering curiosity and understanding about agriculture. Similarly, in Sunburst, third and fourth graders participated in engaging sessions on pollinators, ATV safety, and the distinction between beneficial and harmful insects, further reinforcing the importance of agricultural education. Through these workshops, Ag Days not only nurtures knowledge but also builds a strong connection between students and the agricultural community, ensuring the continuation of this vital tradition for future generations.

Caption: Jadis Scarborough Teaching 3rd Graders about her Saddle

Credit: Kim Woodring

Contact

226 1st St. SW. #106
Shelby, MT 59474
406-424-8350
https://www.montana.edu/extension/toole/