Chouteau County

Chouteau County, established in 1865, was one of the original nine counties of the Montana Territory. Once the largest county in the Montana Territory and second largest in the United States, Chouteau County covers 3,972 square miles. With a population of almost 6000, Fort Benton, Big Sandy, Geraldine and Highwood are the largest communities with smaller communities in Carter, Loma, Floweree, Shonkin and Square Butte. As part of the Golden Triangle, Chouteau County is the top producing county of winter wheat in the state. This puts agricultural production/related businesses as the top industry in Chouteau County.

Hands-on experiences for Youth

Multiple hands-on youth development programs and events were held this year for Chouteau County youth. Two youth from Loma attended the Montana Legislative Breakfast in Helena this past January. Organized and hosted by Montanans for 4-H, 4-H members from across that state are invited to attend to have breakfast with members of the state Senate and House of Representatives. Engaged with the legislators, the Chouteau County youth shared their 4-H experiences and what they have learned through their projects and activities. Our 4-H members also visited the state capitol for a tour and learned more about the Montana legislative process. The annual Chouteau County Ag Day took place on May 2 with over 90 fourth and fifth graders participating in six stations. The stations including learning about wool and then dyeing a sample using powdered drink mix, making edible dirt cups, farm machinery safety, benefits of pollinators which included a sample of honey, making their own bread from freshly ground flour with information about the parts of the wheat kernel, and information about using horses on the ranch. The successful event was a collaborative effort between Chouteau County Extension and six other local agricultural groups. We maintained our participation with five attending the multi-county 4-H Camp at Beaver Creek Park in June. New this year, the campers were able to choose what workshops they attended. Our campers indicated they liked this option. Their favorite part of camp was meeting new friends.

Caption: Chouteau County 4-H members attending camp

Credit: Janell Barber

Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agricultural education and outreach for farmers was achieved through the Golden Triangle Cropping Seminar. A total of 48 producers learned about estate planning, soil fertility, The Cutting Fences Foundation, cereal grain varieties, and pea and lentil management. Impact: Six producers stated they would consider switching grain varieties as a result of the cereal grain variety presentation. A five bushel per acre increase would result in a $300,000 impact. Three producers wrote that they would do more soil sampling. A 20% savings in fertilizer as a result of soil tests would result in a $20,000 savings per operation and a $60,000 impact overall. The Chouteau County Livestock Association hosted Dr. Jeff Mosley (MSU Extension Range Management specialist). Dr. Mosley gave a presentation on range management following a drought. The educational program was recommended by the MSU Extension Chouteau County Advisory Council. Impact: A total of 30 producers attended the presentation. Three producers approached Dr. Mosley and thanked him for the timely information. Enhanced management helps individuals and families improve quality of life through increased economic stability. A total of 8 people attended the Master Gardener program in Big Sandy. Attendees learn about soil biology, plant biology, vegetables, flowers, trees and shrubs, lawn and irrigation, tree grafting, growing fruit trees and integrated pest management. One Master Gardener passed her level 2 test and will contribute 30 hours of community service to the community. In addition, three countywide activities were hosted by Chouteau County Extension including a tour of the Bob Quinn orchard and green house, a garden dig at the Cloepfil residence in Fort Benton and a fruit tree grafting class with the Fort Benton Garden Club. A total of 20 people improved their horticultural knowledge.

Caption: Golden Triangle Cropping Seminar

Credit: Janell Barber

Community Engagement and Connections

Engaging with and making new connections were the focus of many Family and Consumer Sciences programs and events this year in Chouteau County. During the 2023 Cropping Seminar, local agricultural producers were introduced to Dr. Kendra Lewis, ORT/L. Dr. Lewis is a Chouteau County native raised in the small town of Geraldine. She is a professor at Rocky Mountain College in the Occupational Therapy program teaching rural, agricultural, mental health, and policy content and is also the Founder/Executive Director of the nonprofit Cutting Fences Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to improve the physical and mental well-being of individuals in agriculture and Veterans with disabilities. Through the foundation, she hosts Cutting Fences Podcast, where she interviews individuals in agriculture who have continued to farm and ranch despite disability or injury. During her presentation, Dr. Lewis also showed examples of assistive equipment used by agricultural producers. The annual Recycling Bonanza held on April 29 resulted in an abundance of household and other items, along with one of the better years for weather. We had 85 residential households and 15 businesses bring the following: 85 pounds, batteries, 12 pairs, eyeglasses, 2 pairs, hearing aids, 22 pounds corks (new this year), 680 pounds, clothing (donated to Emilie Center of Great Falls), 1780 pounds, shredding, and 4100 pounds, electronics (406 Recycling). Turnover within the food services industry continued to require food safety trainings be offered for newly hired employees and those needing refresher courses. The Family and Consumer Sciences agent taught multiple classes this year with a student pass rate of 80%, resulting in four newly certified ServSafe Food Protection Managers. Additionally, 12 individuals working in positions prepping and/or serving food received basic food safety training. Having access to fresh fruit during the off season is costly and difficult to find in Montana. The next best thing is jam and jelly. A jam and jelly class was offered and taught by the Family and Consumer Sciences agent. The participants learned about canning foods safely, using the boiling water bath and other canning equipment and experienced making jam and jelly traditionally on the stove and in an electric jelly/jam maker. Additionally, multiple enrichment activities for youth and adults were offered by partnering with the local libraries. These included hands-on make and take sewing and fingerknitting projects, wet felting with wool, make and bake at home pie crusts. About 90% of the participants experienced the activity for the first time and over two thirds had never attended an Extension sponsored event or activity but were interested in attending more in the future.

Caption: Community members making pie crust

Credit: Janell Barber

Contact

1308 Franklin St.
Fort Benton, MT 59442
406-622-3751
https://www.montana.edu/extension/chouteau/