Wheatland County

Wheatland County is a relatively small county, 1428 square miles, located in Central Montana. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the county population is 2,069. There are four communities in Wheatland County. Harlowton, which is the county seat, is centrally located and the county's largest community, with a population of 933, according to the U.S. Census 2022. Two Dot is located 12 miles west of Harlowton on Highway 12 has a population of 16 U.S Census 2022. Shawmut is located to the East and has a population of 37. Judith Gap is located to the north on Highway 191 and has a population of 107 in 2022. Wheatland County, a prairie bordered by mountain ranges to the north, west, and southwest, boasts a diverse economy with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The county's economic landscape includes a strong agricultural tie, with large generational farms and ranches, Wheatland Memorial Healthcare, Hillcrest Elementary and Harlowton High School, manufacturing, rock mining, and wind energy production.

Big Sky Big Leadership

For the community to function and boards and non-profit organizations to operate, one in six adults needs to fill a leadership role, so we often suffer a leadership and volunteer shortage. In March 2024, MSU Wheatland County Extension completed the fifth class of Big Sky Big Leadership. Nearly 40 individuals have completed the class, many of whom are actively engaged in the community and volunteer in leadership roles, helping fill critical leadership roles needed in the county. During the program, participants build and practice skills related to leadership, team formation, and community project implementation. They learn about projects happening in the community and practice their skills with a group project. One participant noted that the skills learned in Big Sky Big Leadership are creating a more positive way of being in the community and might be rubbing off on others over time. “It is like drops in a bucket. You get enough of us making drops, and before you know it, there’s a little bit where there was nothing before.” Participants have indicated that, as a result of what they have learned, they are more confident in their ability to serve in leadership roles in the community and more willing to volunteer. After the completion of this year, the evaluations indicate that the program is shifting the way that groups conduct business and interact, giving people the skills to resolve conflicts, maintain relationships, and create opportunities in the community.

Caption: Participants of Big Sky Big Leadership involved in an icebreaker

Credit: Mandie Reed

4-H Camp - An opportunity for growth

For many 4-H youth, the 4-H camp is a transformative experience, often considered the highlight of their year. In the first week of June, 4-H Campers from six counties come together at Camp Rotary for four days of camping fun. This camp is not just about fun and games but about fostering independence and building confidence in a safe and supportive environment under the guidance of counselors and caring adults. A team of six MSU Extension Agents carefully plan camp activities to be interactive and educational for campers, providing a rich outdoor experience. Camp counselors practice their leadership skills while working with the campers and practice their public speaking skills by teaching workshops throughout the week. They also apply for the position, which gives them practice applying for other positions in the future. 4-H Camp provides an opportunity for growth for both campers and counselors.

Caption: Youth working on a craft project

Credit: Mandie Reed

Musselshell Valley Development Cooperative

The availability of quality housing has been identified as a need in Wheatland County, limiting our ability to attract qualified people for community positions. A highly motivated group of community volunteers, inspired by an example they heard from Reimagining Rural and formed a steering committee to create the Musselshell Valley Development Cooperative. MSU Wheatland County Extension Agent Mandie Reed has been a member of the committee since its formation and has assisted the group in forming the cooperative. Nearly two years after the first meeting, the group has completed the work to form the cooperative and is currently selling stock and investments. In addition to being a mechanism for renovating property and restoring existing housing to its potential, the cooperative is a way for local community members to come together and make positive changes in their community. Being able to participate as a member of the Musselshell Valley Development Cooperative has moved the conversation from a negative tone about what other people should do to an empowered conversation about what can the cooperative and community do.

Caption: Youth working in 4-H garden

Credit: Mandie Reed

Contact

201 A Ave. NE
Harlowton, MT
406-240-1954
https://www.montana.edu/extension/wheatland