Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Extension Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Missoula County Extension highlights growth in 4‑H, launches free pasture‑evaluation services
Summary
MSU Extension agents told Missoula County commissioners about nearly 500 kids in local 4‑H clubs, a new free pasture evaluation program (including soil testing, grading and short‑term equipment rentals), and a calendar of Ag Talks and farm tours to help new landowners and livestock owners.
Missoula County commissioners hosted MSU Extension agents Natalie Sullivan, the county’s ag and livestock extension agent, and Campbell Barrett, the county 4‑H agent, who described programs aimed at new landowners and youth development and announced a free pasture‑evaluation service and related resources.
The pasture evaluation program lets residents apply online for a site visit, where Extension staff can perform soil tests (when ground conditions allow), identify plant species, suggest rotational‑grazing strategies and offer an objective grading system so landowners can monitor improvement over time. "Start small," Sullivan advised new animal owners, recommending fencing, a sacrifice area, water placement and a veterinarian before acquiring animals.
Why it matters: Missoula County houses a substantial and volunteer‑driven 4‑H program and a large amount of small acreage that, Sullivan said, collectively represents significant land area and opportunity for improved soil and grazing management. Campbell Barrett said 4‑H projects teach leadership, financial management and public‑speaking skills as much as agricultural techniques, and he shared a specific success story of a youth who progressed from camp to serving on the Montana 4‑H Foundation board.
Program details and services: The pasture evaluation is free to participants; Extension also offers free hay nitrate testing at its office and a free forage‑probe rental. Temporary electric fencing equipment donated by DATAMARS and Gallagher is available for short‑term rental with a refundable $50 deposit so landowners can trial materials before buying. Sullivan said the program will include a pasture grading rubric (A–F) and on‑farm demonstrations such as a hay farm tour in May and a horse farm tour scheduled for Sept. 4.
Events and outreach: Upcoming items listed by Sullivan include a Farm & Ranch insurance 'speed dating' session on Feb. 26 (topic‑specific rotations for insurance questions), a March webinar with the Montana Department of Public Health and the Montana Department of Livestock on highly pathogenic avian influenza, an April talk featuring Montana Department of Agriculture speakers on ground‑squirrel control, the May hay farm tour, and June events focused on animal emergency planning. Recordings and resources will be posted to the county Ag Talks web page.
Costs, volunteer capacity and access: Campbell said Missoula County 4‑H comprises about 15 clubs and nearly 500 youth and relies heavily on volunteer leaders; many project fees are modest (Campbell noted a $10 project fee in 4‑H). Sullivan emphasized the county‑extension cooperative funding model and invited residents to apply for pasture evaluations via the county website; she said the pasture evaluation itself is free. Contact and resources provided during the program include the county Ag Talks pages, missoulaeduplace.org for pasture evaluation signups, and the Missoula County communications email.
The podcast episode closed with commissioners thanking the guests and a production credit to Missoula Community Access Television (MCAT) and Missoula County communications. For more information or to request an evaluation, Sullivan directed listeners to the Missoula County Ag Talks web page and to the county communications email provided in the episode.
