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MSU Extension reports hires, programs and outreach; 4‑H and horticulture events planned
Summary
MSU Extension staff updated commissioners on a new office coordinator hire, upcoming staff leave, and ongoing and planned programs including seniors exercise classes, a stirrups cooking contest at County Congress, a pesticides-and-waterways seminar, a maple-tapping workshop, Master Gardener training and 4‑H shooting-sports activities.
MSU Extension staff gave their bimonthly briefing to Flathead County commissioners on Feb. 4, reporting a staffing addition and a slate of upcoming education and outreach programs for residents, landowners and youth.
Ashley Dara, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4‑H extension agent, said the office hired a new coordinator, Amy Gardner, and that the office is fully staffed. Dara said she plans maternity leave from about March 10 through May 9 and that she is preparing the office for continuity during her absence. She reported that the seniors exercise program has 20–25 regular participants and that the office obtained grant funding to train two additional exercise trainers.
"With our office being fully staffed, we are able to provide great services to our community," Dara said.
Mackenzie Day, agriculture extension agent, described horticulture clinics, a pesticide-safety and calibration seminar scheduled March 18 (with Montana Department of Agriculture participation), a free maple-tapping workshop that provided spiles and buckets to attendees, and a Master Gardener cohort of 18 students. Day said outreach events aim to reduce pesticide runoff to waterways and improve local producers' skills.
Rick Blustery, 4‑H extension agent, said recent events included the annual foods fair (about 150 attendees) and the Flathead Invitational shooting-sports competition, which drew participants from several counties. Blustery said 4‑H registration for livestock projects is underway and that the county expects numbers that will fit existing facilities; he also highlighted volunteer dedication and safety procedures in shooting sports and livestock quality assurance training.
Ending: Extension staff invited commissioners to upcoming events including a shooting-sports club match in February and County Congress in April, and asked for continued county support for programming and volunteer recognition.
