The Department of Public Health and Human Services updated the Montana Food Code that requires all retail food establishments to have a food safety manager. Also, required is a person-in-charge that can demonstrate adequate food safety knowledge during all hours of operation. ServSafe® is a nationally- accredited food safety certification program and is one of the courses identified in the food code that will fulfill the requirement to have a trained food protection manager on staff.

During this past year, Extension Agent Ardis Oelkers teamed up with Registered Nurse Robin Warren, from Northeast Montana Health Services to team-teach the eight-hour manager course and the four-hour food handler training class in Roosevelt County. Oelkers and Warren worked closely with Roosevelt County Sanitarian, Michael Rinaldie, to develop a plan to ensure all local and area establishments were aware of the educational opportunities. Over 30 participants were trained in food safety representing restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, coffee shops and other establishments serving food.

The average passing test score of those taking the eight-hour certification class was 86%. Participants were asked “What is the most important thing that you gained from attending the training?” Comments include: • ServSafe® Certification • All information from class will keep businesses from having a foodborne illness • Learning about time and temperature abuse • Refreshed everything that I have known as I have worked in the kitchen for 22 years • Learning proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures • This is an excellent course, I highly recommend it

The manner in which people handle and prepare food is a major reason why foodborne illness occurs. People must alter their food-handling behavior, but they must first have the knowledge and skills that are known to protect food from contamination with harmful microorganisms before they have the capacity to change their behavior. ServSafe® education provides the knowledge and skills needed to reduce incidence of foodborne illness and reduce the impact on health care costs.

ServSafe® instructional resources/Photo by Ardis Oelkers

“Archaeology and Paleontology” was the theme of the Teacher Training Workshop held in southwest Montana as a collective effort among Daniels, Richland, Roosevelt, and Sheridan County Extension Agents. The paleontology dig and camp setting was a first for the 19 educators from the surrounding area that attended the two-day workshop. Attendance at the workshop enables participants to use their hours towards recertification of their teaching license, as a PIR day or towards salary advancement. The majority of the teachers received OPI Renewal Credit, while some received undergraduate or graduate credit.

Teachers toured the Carter County Museum in Ekalaka, which is a sister museum to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. The museum staff showcased curriculum and lesson plans on paleontology and archaeology. The paleontology portion included a half-day dig in the field on one of the museum’s paleontological microsites in the Hell Creek Formation.

Guest speaker, John Ashley presented “Saving our Stars: Documenting the Montana Night Sky”. Ashley, a photographer and biologist has wandered around our state capturing elusive Montana beauty that can only be found in the dark – comets, meteor showers, shooting stars, northern lights and the Milky Way. Participants were amazed by the dazzling video and photographic tour of Montana at night.

Workshop participants were able to use Medicine Rocks State Park as their outdoor classroom. They learned about the educational programs that are available from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Teachers were introduced to activities, resources, and curriculum that can be utilized in the classroom.

Saving time and travel costs to these teachers are added benefits to the opportunity to earn credits and have professional curriculum provided by local MSU Extension Agents.

Teachers explore paleontology site/Photo by Ardis Oelkers

For 12 years, a multi-county 4-H camp has been in existence in the northeast corner of Montana. Counties collaborating on this camp are Daniels, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley. The Extension Agents in each of the counties work together to develop a framework for the camp. Teen counselors are selected and as a group determine the camp program. They also play an important role at 4-H camp being responsible for leading groups of campers and serving as cabin leaders. During the camp agents and adult volunteers serve in support roles to teen leaders and fill in as needed to provide educational programs.

Overnight camps give 4-H members a chance to experience the rustic outdoors through a set of structured and fun educational activities. This year’s camp included hands-on learning workshops in leadership and team work, tie dyeing, squirt gun painting, and making soap and a bird feeder. Outdoor activities included nature walks, swimming, gaga ball, and basketball for the 63 campers, counselors, and adult volunteers.

4-H Camp is one way for campers to participate in positive youth development. Youth who experience healthy, positive development exhibit certain attributes such as The 5 C’s – Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character and Caring. Using these attributes as this year’s theme, camp was planned so that every young person knows they are cared about by others, feel and believe they are competent, know they are able to influence people and events and practice helping others. Caring adults and youth were intentional and skilled in enriching the camp setting with opportunities that lead to positive youth development. Youth who experience positive youth development become adults who contribute to family, work, home and community.

All universities engage in research and teaching, but land-grant universities like Montana State University have a third critical mission – Extension. Extension means reaching out and “extending” resources, solving public needs with university resources through non-formal, non-credit programs. Montana State University Extension is an educational resource dedicated to improving the quality of people’s lives by providing research-based knowledge to strengthen the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of families, communities, and agricultural enterprises. MSU Extension offers university resources for all Montanans to explore, even if they never set foot on campus. We provide access to useful information and expert knowledge via workshops, demonstrations, community meetings, publications, videos, the Internet and other learning opportunities. Extension links a network Welcome to Roosevelt County of MSU faculty, topic specialists on the MSU Bozeman campus and our Roosevelt County Extension agents to the people. The Roosevelt County MSU Extension staff is proud to provide services in the following areas: • 4-H Youth Development • Agriculture and Horticulture • Family and Consumer Sciences • Community and Economic Development

Roosevelt County was founded in 1919. It encompasses 2,385 square miles of Montana’s land and has a population of approximately 11,305. The county seat is Wolf Point, and other incorporated cities include: Bainville, Culbertson, Froid and Poplar; other communities include Brockton and Fort Kipp.