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Extension office reports classes, 4‑H participation and fair signups; senior fitness and pesticide training underway
Summary
MSU Extension staff updated commissioners on horticulture classes, pesticide credits, master gardener training, Strong People senior fitness classes, and 4‑H program participation; fair registrations show 307 youth registered to date.
Montana State University Extension staff briefed Flathead County commissioners on bimonthly programs and upcoming events at the county’s April 1 meeting.
Mackenzie Dam, the county agriculture and natural resource extension agent, reported a slate of horticulture and land‑stewardship programming: a dahlia workshop scheduled April 16 at Bias Brewing, a 10‑week master gardener class concluding this week with about one quarter of students pursuing master gardener certification, and a six‑week land stewardship series beginning at Flathead Valley Community College in partnership with the Flathead Conservation District, DNRC, NRCS and other local partners. Dam also said soil testing and site visits have resumed with warming weather.
Family and consumer sciences and 4‑H updates were provided by staff identified as Rick and summarized by Dam. Ashley Dara, the part‑time family and consumer sciences and 4‑H agent, is on maternity leave; Dam said Dara and the baby are doing well and the office continues to offer pressure gauge calibration services while Dara is absent.
Rick said the Strong People senior fitness classes — offered in partnership with Logan Health — typically draw 15 to 25 attendees and have produced measurable strength gains anecdotally (one participant reported increased bone density to her physician). He noted Ashley recently passed a certification exam and will be an additional instructor for future classes. Rick said the office will run another session concluding in June.
On 4‑H, Rick reported shooting sports as the most popular program with about 300 youth participating across archery, air rifle, air pistol and hunting skills. A small contingent traveled to the state 4‑H shoot in Bozeman; no state first‑place finishes were reported. For fair preparations, Dam and Rick said 307 youth are registered with 4‑H or FFA so far (some double‑registered); last year’s sale showed 270 youth. Rick noted fewer hog entries are expected this year.
Upcoming events the office asked commissioners to consider attending included the county 4‑H County Congress on Saturday, April 11 (morning competitions, afternoon livestock judging) and the 4‑H Loon Lake camp water Olympics planned for July 24. The office also plans additional pesticide safety credit opportunities in the fall and food preservation classes in partnership with MSU specialists.
