Madison-Jefferson County
2023 MSU Extension Highlights
2023 MSU Extension Highlights
Jefferson and Madison Counties encompass an expansive 5,262 square miles of Southwest Montana and are home to nearly 21,000 residents. Agriculture, mining, recreation, and tourism represent the top industries these counties have to offer. Centrally located between the two counties, our office is in the unofficial Southwest Montana hub of Whitehall. Shared MSU Extension services have been available in Madison and Jefferson counties since 1936, and a sole agent served in Madison County as early as 1917. Currently, the office staffs two Extension Agents and one support staff who offer programs in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and 4-H/Youth Development.
4-H & Youth Development
4-H Program Grows
Caption: Cloverbuds at the Madison County Fair
Credit: Merissa Ford
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Land Stewardship Workshops
Caption: Land Stewardship Workshop in Whitehall
Credit: Kaleena Miller
4-H & Youth Development
Farm and Ranch Tours
This summer our office partnered with the 21st Century Afterschool program for a fun day of learning about agriculture from some local producers. The day began at an organic vegetable farm where the kids learned what it takes to grow organic produce, harvest chicken eggs and raise dairy goats. The day ended with an alpaca farm tour, where the kids learned about alpacas, their history and all the things that can be made from their fiber. They even got to pet a baby alpaca and learn about their unique behaviors and sounds.
Caption: Heart and Soul Alpaca Farm
Credit: Merissa Ford
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Estate Planning
MSU Extension’s estate planning guru, Marsha Goetting, spent a lot of time in Madison and Jefferson Counties in 2023. In January, she kicked off a Rancher Roundtable series with a workshop in Alder titled “Transferring Your Farm or Ranch to the Next Generation.” Producers learned about legal, economic, and family social decisions as they relate to estate planning. In March, Goetting returned to deliver three presentations reaching the communities of Clancy, Boulder, and Whitehall. Residents filled the rooms to tackle important and tough topics such as power of attorney, gift-giving, living trusts, and more. Madison-Jefferson Extension staff have co-authored monthly newspaper articles on estate planning since 2021, reaching thousands of residents in both counties.
Caption: MontGuides on Display
Credit: Kaleena Miller
4-H & Youth Development
Outdoor Youth Education
Caption: Youth Learning About Saltwater and Freshwater
Credit: Merissa Ford
Contact
103 West Legion Ave
Whitehall, MT 59759
406-287-3282
https://www.montana.edu/extension/madisonjefferson
Montana State University Extension is an ADA/EO/AA Veteran’s Preference Employer and provider of educational outreach.