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ABOUT PARK COUNTY EXTENSION
Extension Links County Residents to MSU and USDA
The Park County Extension Office links residents to subject matter specialists on the Montana State University-Bozeman campus as well as resources in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Park County this link has been available since 1924 when the first agent arrived in Livingston. Technology has changed considerably since that time. These links now include the use of the World Wide Web. Residents now have the ability to contact the office electronically to receive information. The “Park County Home Page” includes active links to MSU-Extension, Renne Library, and USDA. In addition, Extension Staff maintains the web site for Park County which can be found at www.parkcounty.org.
GPS/GIS Workshops Held in the County
Park County Extension offers GPS/GIS workshops in the county to provide landowners with the skills necessary to accurately map their land for weeds, fences, soil types and other physical information. To date, five of these two day workshops have been held and 45 landowners trained in these relatively new technology. With the skills learned at these workshops, landowners have the ability to develop detailed maps for the various government agencies that are now requiring that information. The new Conservation Security Program is one example of a program that requires mapping data.
Strong Noxious Weed Education Continues
During the past three years, Extension has sponsored annual “weed awareness fairs” in both Shields and Paradise Valleys. Nearly 1000 landowners have received education on controlling noxious weeds in the county. Small acreage landowners from Park County were especially invited to attend the two hour sessions on the identification and control procedures for noxious weeds. Landowners were provided with information on the impact of noxious weeds and how to identify specific plants. In addition to the seminars educational brochures have been mailed to landowners or inserted in the local daily paper. The eight page newsletter included articles from weed control specialists on identification and management. The newsletter also included the names and phone numbers of commercial pesticide applicators. Commercial applicators provide a great service for weed control efforts by providing information on the management of noxious weeds and doing quality weed control work.
Two trailer mounted sprayers have been donated to the weed control effort by concerned landowners. These sprayers will allow small acreage applicators to control noxious weeds on their property. These trailer mounted sprayers can be used at no charge and have been proven very popular by small and large acreage landowners. In addition to these units, the Park County Weed Control Office has four slide in units available for use by the public for noxious weed control
There are many nonresident landowners who own large tracts of land in Park County. These individuals do not spend very many days in the county and typically devote their time in the county to non-work related activities. These individuals are not well informed of the natural resources issues in the county. Some have little information on the impact of invasive species on their property and the impact of those species.
In an effort to educate this landowners, I cooperated with the Montana Land Reliance to send these landowners a packet of weed related bulletins and weed related news articles. The Montana Land Reliance supplied the mailing list, introductory letter and envelopes. Extension supplied the material and postage. The mailing was sent to 60 landowners in the county. These are individuals that would not be receiving the weed message through normal channels.
Nutrition Education Delivered
Nutrition education and information is offered to our local food bank and community kitchen, as well as service organizations and daycare providers, which assist volunteers by providing helpful facts, tips, and recipes to the people they serve. By knowing how to read a nutrition label and understanding the meaning of “light” and “low-fat” consumers of every economic level can improve their eating habits leading to healthier living.
Weed Grants Help Residents Combat Knapweed
The Park County Extension Office maintains a vigorous noxious weed grant writing effort. During the past twenty years, grants have provided over $498,000 to assist landowners in the noxious weed control effort These grants consisted of an herbicide cost share, bio-control, and sheep-grazing grants. All of these grants were written to assist landowners fight the expanding spotted knapweed problem in the County. In 2001, we obtained a $271,000 grant to assist landowners prevent noxious weeds from invading the Fridley Fire area. These grant funds were used to fund an intensive weed prevention area in the blackened acres and the areas surrounding the burned perimeter. To date, 155 landowners have used the grant funds for herbicide application, reseeding efforts and monitoring efforts.
FSNEP Collaborates with Extension
Limited income households often find it challenging to stretch food resources to cover the entire month even when they receive food stamps. Some of these households include children, senior citizens, and disabled individuals. Many limited income individuals are also employed, although not at a living wage. As family members are employed, less time at home demands greater efficiency with food resource management including wages, food stamps and WIC.
The purpose of the Montana Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP) is to work collaboratively with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services to provide food stamp recipients and food stamp eligible households with information and educational opportunities. These will help participants develop skills and behaviors leading to improved nutritional well-being and increased ability to manage resources and become more self-sufficient.
Working closely with the Family and Consumer Science Agent, the FSNEP paraprofessional provides a series of lessons and demonstrations with practical information and skill-building tips for choosing better foods, food handling, food storage, and food safety practices. FSNEP partners with numerous community agencies and organizations to provide effective programming. Class participants learn to make healthy food choices and effectively manage their food resources.
Use of Media Important to Extension Outreach
The Extension Service staff uses mass media to reach the largest possible audience. We supply news releases to the daily paper and quickly respond to reporter’s questions and request for information.
Residents Have Access to Pest Control Expertise
More than 700 county residents call the office each year with questions concerning insects, plants, trees and general garden pests. Many brought the pests to the office for identification. Questions were answered and recommendations were provided on the spot or samples were sent to MSU Extension Specialists for identification or recommendations. Recommendations provided to these residents were based on scientific knowledge and information.
4-H Offers Educational Events
A recent MSU study of Montana youth testifies how important 4-H is to the development of young people. 4-H members are receiving what all young people need: confidence, compassion and connections with caring adults. Park County Extension Office oversees 8 clubs with 154 members and 63 leaders. The many events during the year that members prepare for and participate in to enhance their learning include:
Food Safety Education Offered
The Park County Extension Office offers food safety education and training to reduce food-related illness. Local food service workers, service organizations, summer camps, church groups, community kitchen volunteers, 4-H members and leaders, and a group homes’ staff for developmentally disabled have participated in classes. Raising awareness of food safety and the concern regarding health problems from improper procedures results in safer food for the public.
Watershed Groups Meet in Park County
Watershed groups, sponsored by the local conservation district have become very important to Park County landowners in the past three years. Currently there are three active groups in the county with monthly attendance of 100 landowners. These groups provide assistance grants for producers interested in conserving irrigation water, protecting riparian areas, and increasing the sustainability of agriculture. The Extension staff work closely with the leadership of these groups to provide educational assistance and information to their audience.
Poisonous Plants Workshop
Poisonous Plants, particularly Tall Larkspur have a definite economic impact to Park County livestock producers. Dr. John Pfister, ARS poisonous plant researcher from Utah presented a two hour seminar on how ranchers could avoid livestock deaths when pasturing livestock during summer months. Dr. Phister covered the biology of the plant, when the plant reaches its high poison state and when grazing should not occur. Dr. Phister also gave recommendations on chemical control of the plant and the point that grazing should be avoided after chemical application due to the changes in the plant that attract livestock.
Dr. John Patterson passed out a survey to determine the amount of loss to the typical ranch in Park County. The typical loss was 2.2 animals per year per ranch. That equates to a annual loss of $300,000 to Park County Producers.
Controlling Radon and Private Well Water Testing Continues
As part of an ongoing water quality education and awareness program, Park County participates in private well water testing in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services. This program provides affordable accurate testing for private well owners. The program provides an opportunity to obtain interpretations, recommendations, and educational resources to inform the well owner on the quality of their water.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. If an individual is exposed over a long period of time in high quantities, the health risks may include lung cancer. In a national study conducted in 1992, Montana was listed as the third highest state in its percentage of homes with radon concentrations exceeding 20 pCi/L. In Montana, Park County was ranked 5th based on short-term radon tests submitted. Since radon cannot be smelled, seen, or tasted, testing is the only way to discover if a household is at risk. Park County Extension provides radon test kits as well as assistance in interpreting the test results. If a household has a high radon level, the Extension Office offers information on ways to lower the radon level in the home.
Horse Management Seminar
In March and April, the Extension Office sponsored a six week horse management workshop attended by 75 individuals. According to the county assessor, there are approximately 7000 horses in the county. Owners of these horses spend approximately 2000 per head maintaining and using these horses. Horse are a very important factor in the economy of Park County. A fee of $50 per person was charged for this event that was held at a local hotel. Two horse veterinarians and two MSU faulty provided information on horse management topics.
Maintaining Your Horses Health
Understanding the Nutritional Requirements of the Horse
Maintaining and Establishing Quality Horse Pastures
Building and Maintaining a Horse Safe Fence
According to the evaluation, participants reported a savings of $500 by attending the seminar. This equates to a savings of $37,500 for the group.
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