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MSU Extension asks county for $3,000 as 4-H membership grows and MSU shifts salary shares
Summary
MSU Extension agents told commissioners that county offices face a $6,000 increase in contracted services statewide (about $2,000 per agent), and requested a net $3,000 county increase after internal reductions; agents highlighted 643 4-H members and expanding volunteer capacity.
Ashley Darrin and Mackenzie Day, MSU Extension agents serving Flathead County, presented their annual review and a modest county funding request tied to statewide cost shifts.
Darrin, the county's family-resources and 4-H extension agent, and Day, the agriculture/horticulture and natural-resources agent, outlined program scale: 643 4-H members, 178 volunteers across 24 clubs, 104 active Master Gardeners and over 200 volunteer hours contributing into local food banks. They described extension services ranging from pesticide applicator testing to estate-planning outreach with Bozeman-based specialists.
The presenters said Montana State University adjusted how salaries and contributions are split with counties, producing a $2,000 per-agent increase (about $6,000 for a fully staffed, three-agent office). MSU's share would be about 55% with the county covering 45%. Extension staff said they reduced other line items by roughly half where possible and asked the commissioners for a $3,000 increase to the county allocation to cover the remaining gap.
"This change is seen in all counties across the state," Darrin said, explaining the shift in contributions. Commissioners thanked the agents for program growth and confirmed a new full-time 4-H agent, Kara Smith, will begin June 8.
No formal vote was recorded on the request during the session; commissioners received the presentation and asked clarifying budget questions.
