Broadwater County

MSU Extension in Broadwater County is a partnership between Broadwater County, Montana State University, and the United States Department of Agriculture. This partnership provides educational outreach in the areas of Agriculture/Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Community Development, and Family Consumer Sciences. The office in Broadwater County houses one MSU Extension Agent and an Administrative Assistant who also serves as the Fair Manager.

Broadwater County is a fast-growing county with a population of about 7,793. The county encompasses 796,000 acres of agricultural land, small acreage subdivisions, rural communities, and range or forested land. With about 45 percent of the county in public land, the area is a popular choice for recreation especially around Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Primary industries include agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and services. Townsend is the county seat and home to the MSU Extension office.

Contact

416 Broadway
Townsend, MT 59644
406-266-9242
https://www.montana.edu/extension/broadwater/

Broadwater County 4-H: Growing with Purpose

The Broadwater County 4-H program continues to grow in strategic ways, adapting to meet the needs of an expanding membership and growing county. This year, 146 youth were enrolled in local clubs, supported by 63 certified volunteers who lead clubs, coordinate projects, serve on committees, and organize events. This marks a 4.3% increase in membership over the previous year and a 15.9% increase since 2021. Volunteers contributed an average of eight hours per month, representing an estimated value of $194,443 in time invested to support local youth.

While livestock remains a longstanding tradition in 4-H, Broadwater County offers diverse project choices including robotics, photography, welding, woodworking, and cake decorating. One notable area of project growth is the 4-H Shooting Sports program. In response to increased membership, Sean McLaughlin was appointed as the county’s first Shooting Sports Coordinator. With support from grants awarded by the NRA Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the program expanded its resources to include new supplies, safety equipment, and firearms. Today, the program offers four disciplines: archery, shotgun, .22 rifle, and hunting, each led by trained instructors who emphasize safety and marksmanship.

Leadership development also remains a central focus. After a 20-year hiatus, the 4-H Ambassador Program was reestablished. Ambassadors serve as official envoys of Montana 4-H, promoting the program through outreach, event planning, and peer leadership. In October, Katilyn Noyes and MacKenzie Truesdell were selected as Ambassadors, guided by Key Leader Daniel Truesdell.

Clubs remain the foundation of the 4-H experience. In Broadwater County, clubs welcome youth from a variety of ages and project areas, fostering connection and leadership. Over the past decade, the number of clubs in the county has doubled. In fall 2025, the county welcomed its eighth club, the Canyon Ferry Coyotes led by Kelsey Rose and Allison Kosto.

The impact of 4-H is best reflected in the voices of its youth. Graduating senior Cassidy Flynn shared, “4-H helped me build my confidence and understanding of people, both of which have helped me become a better leader.”

Caption: 2025 Broadwater County participants at Multi-County 4-H Camp.

Credit: Allison Kosto

Women in Agriculture Wellness Workshop

Women in agriculture face unique mental health challenges. Not only are women key laborers, accountants and decision makers on the farm or ranch, but also wear many other hats, including, but not limited to, managing the household, caring for children and/or elderly parents, maintaining the yard or garden and even working off-farm jobs. The emotional toll of juggling so many responsibilities can be significant, making intentional wellness opportunities especially important for women in agriculture.

In April 2025, MSU Extension in Broadwater County, in partnership with Montana Farmers Union (MFU), hosted a Ladies Who Ag Wellness Workshop in Townsend. Designed as an evening of relaxation and education, the event gave women in agriculture a chance to unwind while learning about wellness, personal care, and stress relief. The program was supported by a grant from the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program.

The evening included three interactive sessions. Samantha Ferrat, MFU Ambassador and rancher, led a session on creating charcuterie boards. Shawna McCauley, a nurse practitioner in dermatology, and a rancher, emphasized the importance of skin care when working in harsh elements and offered tips for identifying signs of skin cancer. Attendees received skin care products from Montana women-owned companies. Allison Kosto, MSU Extension Agent and farm wife, explored how gardening and indoor plants can reduce stress. Each participant created a succulent garden to take home.

When asked if participants planned to make changes based on what they learned, 81.8% of participants said yes. Half intended to improve their skin care routines by committing themselves to wearing sunscreen more regularly, perform skin checks, or prioritize skin health. Another 33.3% planned to bring more houseplants into their homes, and 16.7% pledged to connect more intentionally with fellow women in agriculture.

Interest in future programming was unanimous. Participants expressed strong interest in topics like regenerative agriculture, food preservation, and gardening, with networking and wellness remaining top priorities. The evening was a clear success in fostering both connection and self-care. Attendees appreciated the hands-on activities and the balance of “learning and doing.” One participant shared, “The women are so amazing! Loved learning about my neighbor!” Another reflected, “This was the best event. I really enjoyed the education.”

Caption: Participants in the Ladies Who Ag Wellness Workshop learn the art of charcuterie boards.

Credit: Allison Kosto

Big Sky Big Leadership: Building Confidence, Connection, and Community Impact

In 2025, 12 participants successfully graduated from Big Sky, Big Leadership in Broadwater County, which made a total of 49 program graduates since the program’s inception. Big Sky, Big Leadership is a county-based initiative designed to strengthen leadership capacity and civic engagement. Through monthly sessions, hands-on learning, and community exploration, participants gained new tools, relationships, and confidence to lead in their workplaces and communities.

Graduates described the program as transformative. Many shared that they felt more confident in their leadership abilities, better equipped to read group dynamics, and inspired to get involved. One participant reflected, “This class has given me more confidence in my ability to lead in work and community.” Others emphasized the value of emotional intelligence, networking, and discovering new ways to serve.

Evaluation results showed growth in every measured area, with the most significant gains in understanding community issues, self-awareness, and building relationships. Participants reported plans to apply their learning by improving board meetings, mentoring others, joining local organizations, and even running for public office.

The program’s impact extended beyond individual growth. Three group projects created tangible benefits for Broadwater County as a result of the class:
• Meet Your Community Event: This gathering connected residents with 32 local nonprofits and volunteer opportunities. Several organizations successfully recruited new members or volunteers.
• Townsend Tennis Court Revitalization: A team raised over $35,000 in grants and donations, plus $80,000 in in-kind contributions, to repair the public tennis courts and improve the surrounding park. The courts were restored in summer of 2025 along with additional upgrades in the park.
• Big Sky Little Pantry: This anonymous food pantry, located behind the Townsend fire station, offers 24/7 access to food and supplies. Based on the principle “take what you need, leave what you don’t,” it fills a gap for those unable to access traditional food pantry hours.

Big Sky Big Leadership continues to foster meaningful change by equipping participants with the skills, confidence, and connections to lead. As one graduate shared, “I gained the confidence and contacts to become more involved.” With each cohort, the program strengthens the fabric of Broadwater County, one leader at a time.

Caption: Participants in Big Sky, Big Leadership, Broadwater County at Headwaters Livestock Auction Yard in Wheatland.

Credit: Allison Kosto