Family and Consumer Sciences
Family Economics and Financial Management Classes
Family & Human Development
Today in Montana, there are over 6,600 kinship caregivers providing care to children without parental support. This group was formed to provide support and education for the kinship caregivers right here in Cascade County. The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Project was established in 2002 and has taken many forms across the state, most recently changing its name to the Montana Kinship Navigator Program (MTKNP). For more information at the state level visit the Montana Kinship Navigator Program website or email [email protected]
For more information about the MTKNP please contact the MSU Extension Cascade County office at 406-454-6980 or email [email protected].
This six-week series provides information and education for parents and relatives acting as caregivers for a child with special behavioral or health needs. Join us for 2 hours each Tuesday for six weeks and gain tools, knowledge and support to help you take better care of yourself to allow you to continue to be an effective caregiver.
This weekly series of classes is taught by certified class leaders Katrin Finch, MSU Extension Cascade County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and Jona McNamee, Certified Powerful Tools for Caregivers Trainer and Instructor.
For more information on the Powerful Tools For Caregivers class series please contact Katrin at [email protected] or 406-454-6980.
Food & Nutrition Classes

Date:
March 16th - Water Bath Canning - CLASS FULL
March 23rd - Fermentation - CLASS FULL
March 30th - Pressure Canning- CLASS FULL
Topics: Pressure canning, waterbath canning, and fermentation!
Time: 6PM to 8:30PM
Cost: $15 each class
Location: In-person classes at the MSU Extension Cascade County office. 3300 3rd Street NE #9, Great Falls, MT
If you would like to take a class that's already full, please call (406)454-6980 or email [email protected] or [email protected] with your name, email, phone number, and which class you would like to be put on a waiting list for and we will contact you when the next class is scheduled.
MSU Extension food preservers will share the science and preservation best practices on the following topics:
- Fermentation 101
- Water bath canning 101
- Atmospheric steam canning 101
- Pressure canning 101
- Freezing and drying 101
- Sausage making 101
Additional Resources: Food preservation MontGuides can be found on the Montana State University Publications website

Meals in Minutes
Electric Pressure Cooking Class
Date: Classes Coming Spring 2023
Time: 6pm-8pm
Cost: $15
Location: MSU Extension Cascade County, 3300 3rd St NE #9, Great Falls, MT 59404
Join us for this interactive and hands-on workshop learning how to prepare family meals in minutes using electric pressure cookers.
Topics to be covered include:
- Pressure cooker shopping tips
- No fear pressure cooking
- Food preparation pointers
- Food demonstrations
- Recipe booklets
- Food safety
ServSafe Food Manager Class (8 hours class)
The food manager course is an in-depth look at food safety and cover the following topics: safe food, forms of contamination, the flow of food, food safety management systems, safe facilities, and cleaning and sanitizing.
Additional Resources:
- For questions regarding regulation and requirements please contact the local sanitarians. In Cascade County please contact the environmental Health Office at 406-454-6950.
- For more details on the ServSafe Food Manager class visit the ServSafe website
ServSafe Food Handler Class (4 hour class)
Food handler course is a brief overview of the following topics: personal hygiene, controlling time and temperature, preventing cross contamination, and cleaning and sanitizing.
Food Pantry Food Handler (2 hour class)
Food pantry food handler course is specific to food pantries. This course covers receiving and distributing donations, food storage, controlling time and temperature, personal hygiene, and cleaning and sanitizing. This class does is not affiliated with ServSafe, it is intended to offer basic food safety training specifically for food pantries and like establishments.
ServSafe Food Manger Exam Proctoring
Please contact Katrin Finch at 406-454-6980 or [email protected] for details on the next proctoring session.
Health & Wellness
Dining with Diabetes is a cooking school and nutrition education program designed for people with diabetes and their family members or caregivers.
In a series of four classes, cooking demonstrations will help you learn healthy techniques to use in your own kitchen. The program includes sampling healthy foods and discussion with a dietitian or certified diabetes educator, plus a follow-up reunion class held at a later date.
Who Can Attend?
Anyone with concerns about diabetes or anyone interested in controlling blood sugar is encouraged to participate and to bring a family member, friend, caregiver, or other support person.
Class Details:
Class will be a hybrid class of online OR in-person classes held at the Cascade County MSU Extension office 3300 3rd St. NE #9, Great Falls, please indicate your choice when registering.
We will do meal preparations, the lesson, and conclude with a shared meal (virtually). Meeting links and information will be sent via email the day of each class. You can access webex through your mobile device, tablet, or computer.
Recommended Kitchen/Cooking Utensils
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Cookie sheet
- 9x13 pan
- Tin foil
- Sharp knife
- Vegetable peeler (we will be peeling 1-2 apples)
- Colander
- Medium saucepan
- Wisk
If you need accommodations to participate or have questions, please contact Katrin Finch, MSU Extension Agent, MSU Cascade County Extension Office at 454-6980 or [email protected].
MSU MontGuides

MSU MontGuides
What is a MontGuide
Current information in a concise format on topics relevant to you published by MSU Extension. Feel free to visit our website at MSU Extension Publication Store for an expanded list of MontGuide topics.
Family and Consumer Sciences specific MontGuides
Business & Community Development
Housing and Environmental Health
MontGuides Authored or Co-Authored by Katrin Finch
Seeking Private Guardianship for a Minor in Montana-MT201906HR
Kinship Caregivers Raising Relative Children Navigating the resources MT201813HR
Agriculture related MontGuides
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Interested in attending classes?
Interested in attending classes offered by MSU Cascade County Extension? Be sure to complete the contact me form and we will send you an email on upcoming classes in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State University Extension prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cody Stone, Director of Extension, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.