Pondera County

Pondera County is on the western edge of the Golden Triangle, famous for quality wheat and barley production. This rural county covers 1,625 square miles and has approximately 6,400 residents in the communities of Conrad, Valier, Dupuyer, Brady, and Heart Butte. The elevation varies from 3300' on the eastern plains to 8500' at the Continental Divide. Major watersheds include the Marias and Teton River drainages. Lake Frances near Valier is fed from Swift Reservoir and is a major supplier for irrigation and household water. The Tiber water system on the Marias River serves 270 households, using water impounded at Lake Elwell.

There are approximately 950,000 acres in farmland, including pasture, irrigated and dry land. Crops include wheat, barley, pulses, oilseeds, and hay. Cattle and sheep are important agricultural products along with hogs, poultry, eggs and produce from five Hutterite Colonies. Health facilities and retirement homes are important economic contributors in Pondera County. The Logan Health - Conrad Medical Center is a modern facility and serves a multi-county area with an economic impact of over $12 million.

Contact

20 4th Ave SW
Conrad, MT 59425
406-271-4054
https://www.montana.edu/extension/pondera/

Building Community with Teamwork

Community vitality takes on many forms, from team building in organizations to corporations to Montana educators. Before the new school year begins, many schools provide professional development for their teaching staff. These sessions can be motivational, skill building or both. An invitation for MSU Extension to present to the Shelby school district’s 70 teachers provided an opportunity for fun activities that incorporated problem solving, communications and relearning what it is to learn in a non-traditional classroom setting.

Shelby teachers participated in two activities; the first activity was to build the tallest structure possible with uncooked spaghetti and mini marshmallows. Teams of 6-10 people needed to communicate ideas, brainstorm, collaborate on design, work out problems and learn from mistakes throughout the process.

The second activity involved nonverbal communication in groups of 5-6 people. A person at the back of a line traced a picture on paper over the back of the person in front of them. This person felt the drawing on their back and then drew on the person in front of them. The progression of pictures are compared to the original, with varying results that display what can happen in communication.

While these are fun activities, they also illustrate teambuilding and communication, and provide skill building. As a learner, teachers are reminded about the challenges of learning new skills. One teacher said, “this was harder than I thought it would be.” This teamwork skillbuilding reminded the teachers about three important aspects of first time learning:

• Clear communications set the stage for how something is done.
• Working together enhances problem solving.
• Doing activities together builds trust and empathy.

The professional development activities presented to Shelby school district teachers blended fun with meaningful learning. By engaging in hands-on, collaborative tasks, educators reconnected with the learner’s experience, reinforcing the importance of communication, teamwork, and empathy in the classroom. The program helped strengthen interpersonal connections among staff and served as a reminder of the foundational skills that support effective teaching and a thriving school community.

Caption: The winning team of Shelby school teachers who worked out the problem of building the tallest structure in 10 minutes.

Credit: Wendy Wedum

Whisk Takers

The Whisk Takers Cooking Classes is a community-driven initiative between MSU Extension Pondera County, Pondera County Insurance (PCI), Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger (MTPECH), and Conrad High School. The goal was to teach youth and adults cooking skills, healthy eating habits, and introduce time-saving skills. A total of 31 participants (16 adults and 15 youth) attended three classes, with ages ranging from 6 to over 50. Rural communities face limited produce availability, higher food costs, and economic constraints including lower income levels and high rates of free/reduced school lunches.

Class #1 – Lunchables & Healthy Snacks Participants learned to make homemade lunchables with sweet and savory yogurt dips, marinara and pizza sauces, and pita bread. Everyone learned knife safety and food prep techniques, and evaluations showed strong preferences for homemade recipes.
Class #2 – Exploring Montana Pulse Crops Montana is a leading pulse crop producer of legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and beans. Recipes included lentil soup, Unsloppy Joes, hummus, roasted chickpeas, chickpea cookie dough, and lentil cookies. Participants learned how to use food processors, measure ingredients, and cook pulses which are high in nutrients and fiber.
Class #3 – Cooking with Instant Pots Participants built confidence in using Instant Pots. Recipes included beef stroganoff, mac and cheese with broccoli, lasagna soup, marmalade carrots, and hard-boiled eggs. Participants learned safety techniques, how to use pre-programmed settings, and the benefits of pressure cooking.

Community Impact The classes addressed food insecurity and fostered healthier eating habits and family engagement in a rural community. Participants gained valuable skills in food preparation, nutrition, and kitchen safety. Youth gained confidence and a willingness to try new foods. The program emphasized the importance of involving children in cooking to foster independence, reduce meal prep time, and strengthen family bonds.

The Whisk Takers Cooking Classes met the goals to teach youth and adults how to prepare healthy meals, explore new ingredients, and use kitchen tools effectively. The hands-on approach, community partnerships, and practical recipes made the program engaging and impactful. Participants left with new skills, increased confidence, and an appreciation in the ease to make homemade, nutritious food. Planning is underway for continued classes in the fall with support from all partners.

Caption: Youth made healthy snack dips using plain yogurt with flavored gelatin, taco seasoning and homemade ranch seasoning.

Credit: Wendy Wedum

Conrad Farmer's Market

The Conrad Farmer's Market is a valued community program, bringing together local producers and artists. While vendor and attendee numbers have fluctuated over the years, the market continues to have a positive impact on local engagement and economic support.

This year, the market ran every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. for 11 weeks, from early June to late August. While attendance and vendor participation was less than previous years, the overall turnout was successful. The busiest time was from early July to mid-August. There were obvious increases in both vendor numbers and community member turnout. During this time, several vendors reported selling out of products and increasing inventory in response.

Advertising included social media, radio announcements, and signage placed around Conrad on market days. These types of advertising are used locally, help maintain visibility and encourage community participation. One community member commented “It’s so nice to be able to buy fresh produce from locals!”

Despite some challenges, the market successfully connects local artists and producers to other members of the community. Our community supports buying locally, which keeps money in our community, supports local jobs and fosters economic resilience. Other benefits include fostering social connections, providing high quality goods and fresh produce, personal customer service, and a better understanding of where products come from. Organizers look forward to building on this year’s success and exploring ways to grow future participation.

Caption: Welcome banner at the Conrad Farmers Market.

Credit: Grace Rooney

4-H in Pondera County

Enrollments remain high with 92 youth participating 4-H programs supported by 27 local volunteers. 4-H members can choose to participate in one of five clubs in Pondera County.

The top ten youth projects are:
• Air Rifle
• Archery
• Cloverbuds
• Beef
• Air Pistol
• Swine
• Horsemanship
• Sheep
• Goat
• Dog

In 2025, 37 4-H members and Cloverbuds participated in the four-county Marias Fair in Shelby. Many Pondera youth received top awards, trophies and rosettes demonstrating recognition for high quality work on their projects.

Caption: A Cloverbud shows how to braid hair on a toy horse, while the interview judge sits with her on the floor to ease her fears about presenting.

Credit: Wendy Wedum