Hill County

Hill County MSU Extension has two full-time Montana State University Extension agents and one full-time administrative assistant. The Extension office serves a population of 16,179 residents. Hill County, which encompasses 2,916 square miles in northcentral Montana, borders Canada to the north, with a growing population of 9,314 residents in the county seat of Havre. One of the main economic drivers in Hill County is agriculture. The primary employment in Hill County includes the U.S. Border Patrol, BNSF Railroad, healthcare and education. The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation is in the southeast corner of the county, with a population of 3,794 residents. Montana State University and the United States Department of Agriculture provide funding for education and outreach in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, natural resources, horticulture and 4-H youth development.

Seven County 4-H Camp Held in Hill County

Camp Kiwanis in the Bears Paw mountains is the home to a seven-county 4-H camp engaging youth development through outdoor activities and 4-H project-based workshops. One hundred campers, 13 counselors, 10 agents and four volunteers participated in 2024. New skills and friends were gained as the group learned, played, ate, entertained and danced over two nights and three days. Since 4-H members learn best by doing, 4-H camp is a proven way to teach and learn new skills. Favorite workshops this year included friendship bracelets, canoeing, archery, basketball, and after school snacks. Of participants surveyed, 98% said they would return to camp if given the opportunity.

Caption: Youth Enjoying 4-H Camp

Credit: Kati Purkett

Interstate Exchange Keeps Teens Free from Online Distractions

According to research on technology use and social anxiety, teens are spending more time instant messaging, using cell phone texting, and on social sites online and less time engaged in in-person activities with peers. Hill County 4-H interstate exchange members had the opportunity to unplug and share life in Hill County and other parts of Montana with newfound friends from Stearns County, Minnesota. The eight-night visit included 17 youth and nine adults. Members visited Havre Beneath the Streets, Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump, H. Earl Clack Museum, Blaine County Wildlife Museum, a rodeo at the Blaine County Fair, Gates of the Mountains boat tour, trolley tours in Helena, and the Bears Paw Mountains.

Through engaging activities, teens ages 12-18 spent time away from their devices and enjoyed each other’s company in person. Ice breakers, kickball games, hiking, canoeing, shopping, and crafting rounded out the visit. All participants voiced their favorite part of the exchange, and 95% plan to be involved in the second year of the exchange taking place in Stearns County.

The teens raised all funds for the two-year exchange through a dinner and silent auction, fostering teamwork and goal-setting through in-person collaboration.

Caption: 2024 Hill/Stearns County 4-H Interstate Exchange Group

Credit: Kati Purkett

Cattle education partnership with Stone Child Extension

MSU Extension Hill County has been partnering with Stone Child College on the Rocky Boy reservation for the past two years. Stone Child College hosted a Cattleman’s College Series, with MSU Extension Hill County’s Ag and Natural Resources agent Colleen Pegar teaching hour-long workshops on six different cattle production topics.

In the sessions, Pegar presented to an average of seven attendees on branding, vaccinations, buying bulls, grazing management, herd health, marketing calves, nutrition and calving. Participants responded to evaluation surveys positively, reporting that they would apply the information presented to the current management of their herd.

Caption: Cow-Calf Pair

Credit: Colleen Pegar

Montana Association of County Agriculture Agents’ Online Auction supports education

Montana will host the summer 2025 National Association of County Agriculture Agents AM-PIC Conference for approximately 1200 county agents from across the U.S. The conference will benefit participants and the agriculture industry with nationwide information exchange. As an active member of the Montana Association of County Agriculture Agents, Colleen Pegar chaired an online fundraising auction to help raise funds toward the cost of hosting a national meeting. Pegar and five colleagues collected donation items, cataloged them, and presented them on the online auction, which ran for two weeks with 49 items featured from the Western U.S. Ninety-two registered participants contributed to the fundraising total of just over $8,200 that will support conference costs.

Caption: NACAA 2025 Logo

Credit: MSU Extension

Contact

315 Fourth Street
Havre, MT 59501
406-400-2333
https://www.montana.edu/extension/hill/