Flathead County Master Gardeners donated hundreds of hours of community service to local parks, hospitals, school gardens, community gardens, Flathead National Forest, historical sites and Arbor Day student activities. Monthly “work parties” were organized by level three Master Gardeners for new level one and level two students. Social activities included cider pressings, a local foods lunch at an organic farm and a potluck dinner to round out the year. Master Gardener teacher and MSU Extension agent Pat McGlynn attended the International Master Gardener conference in Valley Forge, PA where the keynote speaker was David Gibby. Gibby was the Washington State University Extension Agent who started the Master Gardener program in 1972. There are currently more than 95,000 active Master Gardeners in the U.S. who donate over 5 million hours of community service per year. More than 400 people have taken the Master Gardener course in Flathead County and these students continue to extend the reach, and service, of MSU Extension into the community.

Non-resident travel contributed $614.2 million to the economy of Flathead County in 2018. When adding indirect economic activity, tourism contributed $824 million to the region in 2018 (Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, University of Montana). MSU Extension Agent in agriculture, natural resource and community development, Pat McGlynn, began working in agritourism with the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Montana Department of Commerce in 2012. Since then, she has assisted with legislation that limited liability for agriculture producers in order to have tourists visit their farms, assisted in developing a Montana Agritourism manual for agriculture producers to begin farm-based activities, coordinated local farm dinners for travel writers, helped develop and teach a multi-functional farming class and is a resource for farmers in Montana who are contemplating diversifying their income. McGlynn belongs to the National Extension Tourism team and has a governors appointment to serve on the Tourism Advisory Council for the state of Montana since 2015. Tourism contributes more than $3.6 billion to Montana’s economy, second only to agriculture at $4.6 billion. McGlynn's work gives MSU Extension a voice at the table in guiding how visitors perceive Montana and how the bed tax is allocated in research and management strategies.

Flathead County land use has been changing dramatically over the last 10 years. Between 2005 and 2012, 59 farms and over 80,000 acres were lost to development. Over 2,500 new people have moved into the county each year, pushing the growth rate to 5.6% in 2018. Currently over 100,000 parcels of land in Flathead County are considered small acreage - less than 100 acres. MSU Extension has created new programming to meet the needs of the evolving resident demographic. A six-week Landowner Stewardship class is held each February to March and continues to grow in attendance. The class is a collaborative venture between MSU Extension, local, state and federal agencies in Flathead County. This class is being recommended to new homeowners by real estate agents, planning and zoning departments, horse owner associations, the county weed department and the county conservation district. MSU Extension organized and delivered a beginner gardening class at the Flathead Valley Community college for those residents who requested an alternative to the Master Gardener program. This class filled immediately and a second class was scheduled. In 2020, a room that holds 100 will be provided by the college for the anticipated demand. Pasture management classes were taught to several Backcountry Horsemen group members and other equestrian associations. Overgrazing and subsequent noxious weed invasion is evident across the Flathead Valley. MSU Extension is providing education on these topics at club meetings, in structured classroom settings, private consultations, site visits and as a guest speaker at various local community events. MSU Extension is working alongside other agencies, farmer’s groups and the public to preserve the natural environment in the Flathead and the state of Montana.

Flathead 4-H Youth & Adults “Learn by Doing” MSU Extension served more than 750 youth through project programs with the assistance of more than 175 volunteer adult leaders. More than 1,000 Flathead County youth are reached each year through the 4-H program, SNAP-Ed classes and youth development activities. Youth who participate in 4-H increase their communication, networking and leadership skills through interactions at monthly club programs and county and statewide 4-H events.

The Flathead County 4-H market livestock program continues to be a strong representation of the agricultural community in the valley. The 2019 Junior Market Livestock Sale saw 169 hogs, 57 lambs and 42 steers make their way through the sale ring.

Eight 4-H members and two adult volunteers attended the State 4-H Congress at MSU in Bozeman. Two members participated in State Ambassadors meetings and attended the State 4-H Foundation meeting, and four members participated in the 4-H Livestock Judging contest.

Two 4-H members and one adult volunteer attended the annual Fall 4-H Ambassador Training, also held in Bozeman. This is the annual leadership development retreat for Montana 4-H Ambassadors and Teen Leaders and is planned, implemented, and evaluated by the State 4-H Ambassador Officer Team. Flathead County 4-H members learned more about their own leadership abilities while exchanging ideas with other youth leaders and creating a statewide network of resources.

The Flathead County 4-H Shooting Sports program offers shooting disciplines of Archery, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Shotgun and Muzzle loading, and continues to be popular with youth in the valley. This program boasts one of the largest memberships in the state. Two Flathead County youth earned a spot on Montana teams to compete at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Event held in Grand Rapids, Nebraska, in June. Braedyn Olson placed fifth overall in the Compound Archery competition; Rebecca Cloninger placed eighteenth overall in the Air Pistol competition. Braedyn and Rebecca represented Montana well, being the only Montana delegates to medal at the contest.

4-H reaches internationally as well as locally, giving Flathead County members and leaders opportunities to learn about our global society. Three international 4-H representatives from Japan spent a month in Flathead County this past summer learning about 4-H and life in the U.S., as well as improving their English skills. Yuka Okimori from Osaka traveled here as the chaperone with 11 Japanese members who stayed with host families across the state. The Stewart 4-H family hosted 13-year-old girl, Yua, and the Bunker 4-H family hosted 13-year-old boy, Yuki, here in the Flathead. Linda Stewart, 4-H leader for the Swan River Buttons & Bows 4-H Club, traveled to Japan as the chaperone for 4-H members participating in the exchange from the U.S. Stewart has served as the Western Region Coordinator for Montana 4-H Exchange programs for a number of years, serving hundreds of Japanese exchange members while they are in Montana.

Flathead County 4-H members participated in a statewide survey this past summer that examined how they felt about their communities before and since joining a 4-H club. In third grade through sixth grade: 53% reported they liked helping people in their community more. 50% reported they have participated in a community service project. 50% said they look for ways to help when they hear about a problem in our community.

In seventh through twelfth grades: 61% reported they liked helping people in their community more since becoming involved in 4-H. 61% reported they are more aware of important needs within their community. 59% reported feeling like they are a part of, and can make a difference, in their community. 54% reported they will continue to work on improving their community after they graduate from high school.

Improving communications with leaders and providing leader training are primary goals this year. One method being utilized for leader training is providing the "eXtension Online Volunteer Module." There are four components to this training: Volunteer Roles and Relationships, Creating Safe and Inclusive Environments, Promoting Positive Youth Development and Learning by Doing. This series will continue in the coming year, allowing volunteers to complete modules at their convenience, instead of attending a training. To date, this training has been identified by volunteers as informative and encouraging, confirming the importance of adults helping young people shape their lives.

A 4-H member shares his mini-horse project with residents of an assisted living facility.

Three estate planning programs in July, in Kalispell, drew more than 150 people. Marsha Goetting, PhD, Family Economics Specialist with MSU Extension, presented a two-hour program to 93 people on “What Happens When You Die,” which explains the probate process. Goetting also presented more in-depth programming on the probate process with “Utilizing Trusts and Wills in Your Estate Planning,” which was attended by 69 individuals. Attendees reported understanding the probate process and the basics of having a will at the conclusion of the program. More than 10 follow-up calls requesting more information about estate planning were received by the MSU Extension Flathead County office after the program. As well, there have been numerous requests for a repeat of these programs.

Life can be easier when we plan