Richland County

Named to attract settlers, Richland County is the thirty-second largest county by area in the state of Montana, with 2,084 square miles. Richland County is Montana’s twentieth most populous county, with an estimated 11,491 residents according to 2020 census data. Sidney, the county seat, is the state’s nineteenth-largest city, with a population estimated at 6,346. Other towns in Richland County include Crane, Fairview, Lambert, and Savage. Agriculture and oil production are widely recognized as two staples of Richland County’s economy. Much of Richland County is in the Bakken Oil Zone and cattle, wheat, pulse crops, and other small grains are the top agricultural commodities produced. Richland County MSU Extension currently has two agents to bring research-based information to residents of Richland County to better their lives and futures.

 

Richland County Youth Participate in 4-H to Gain Skills for the Future

“4-H means helping others in a positive way and learning new skills that I will use for the rest of my life,” said a Richland County 4-H member.

4-H offers youth opportunities to participate in learning activities that provide them with skills to be successful now and in the future. This past 4-H year, Richland County 4-H had 238 enrolled members engaged in hands-on projects that allowed them to gain life skills. The top five learn-by-doing projects in Richland County were beef, swine, shooting sports, baking and photography. The fastest-growing project was the dog project, where enrollment in one year increased by 38%. Dog project members met every two weeks in the summer to acquire skills and learn from experts in the canine industry, gaining knowledge in the areas of animal science, dog training, dog obedience and showmanship. In specific workshops on dog CPR using stuffed animal dogs, at-home grooming, and how to execute a dog agility course, members increased their knowledge and gained responsibility, determination, confidence, patience, and animal welfare skills while working with their dogs.

When increased knowledge and skills are combined, youth are equipped to meet their short-term goals and are better prepared for the future. The success of the dog project was in part due to a new 4-H dog volunteer. This volunteer and 95 other certified volunteers partner with youth throughout the year to engage in club meetings, service-learning projects and a variety of experiences that aid in personal growth and development for all.

Caption: 4-H Member Carly Buxbaum takes her dog through the agility course.

Credit: Emma Torgerson

Ag in the Classroom

The Ag in the Classroom event was held for Richland County second and third graders with 270 youth and 34 adults. Agriculture is a top industry in the area and this event highlights the importance of agriculture to students who may not be familiar with it. A committee of local volunteers and Richland County MSU Extension Agents Josie Evenson and Marley Voll worked to provide an educational experience for area youth. Four learning stations represented four of the many area agriculture industries, with some taught by local FFA members: wheat, honey, beef, and dairy. Students learned how wheat is produced and participated in choosing which food products they thought contained wheat. The beef station presented beef by-products and allowed the students to match which by-product came from which part of a beef animal. At the dairy station, students learned about important nutrients provided by milk and they made ice cream in a bag. Marley Voll taught students about honey production and invited them to participate in pollinating flowers and collecting nectar.

Caption: Students practice "collecting nectar" as part of the honey station at the Ag in the Classroom event.

Credit: Marley Voll

Richland County 4-H Horse Members Hold Community Trail Ride

The Richland County 4-H Horse program planned and hosted a 2023 spring trail ride. In October 2022, one goal of youth horse program members was to increase local awareness of 4-H and the horse program. Members wanted the community to know what they were learning in the variety of horse projects offered by 4-H. The idea of inviting the community to a trail ride led to 13 members and six volunteers working through the winter to plan the event.

The Mother’s Day event allowed members to spend the day with their moms on horseback and included a meal and silent auction at the end for fun and fellowship. Volunteers and members partnered with the local sheriff’s office, landowners, and community businesses to ensure the safety, legality, and success of the ride. Members practiced marketing and public speaking skills as they promoted the event.

As the 45 participants rode, 4-H members shared information about their horse projects. During the meal, conversations explained what 4-H is, what members are doing, and what they are learning in 4-H. The silent auction raised more than $1,000 to help purchase new trail equipment for horse project members. The remaining funds were donated to the Tiny Hoof Animal Therapy Center in Maui, Hawaii, to help with costs incurred from fires that devastated the island.

 “We worked hard to raise the money, and it felt good to give to those who are in need,” said a fundraising member. In addition to the trail ride, horse project members attend bi-monthly workshops in winter, learning about goal setting, saddle fitting, and animal health where they create first aid kits for horses. In summer, members meet weekly to practice safe riding, arena etiquette, equitation, and showmanship.

Caption: 4-H Member Rhett Rossol trying out different saddles at the saddle fitting clinic.

Credit: Josie Evenson

Bread Fair

Richland County MSU Extension agents Josie Evenson and Marley Voll partnered with NDSU Extension to provide the Bread Fair to 144 fifth graders in nine area classrooms. During this activity, students learned about local agriculture products, how they are produced, and how they are important in bread making. They also learned about important nutrients in bread. Students made their own loaf of bread to take home and share with their families.

Caption: Area fifth graders enjoyed making loaves of bread as part of the Bread Fair presented by Richland County MSU Extension.

Credit: Josie Evenson

Contact

1499 N Central Ave
Sidney, MT 59270
406-433-1206
https://www.montana.edu/extension/richland/