Big Changes for the Office

Published: 2020
By Allison Kosto

The year 2020 brought big changes to MSU Extension in Broadwater County. Just a month before the fair, the office moved to a new location from the basement of the Courthouse to the Opportunities Building, a building formerly owned by Opportunity Bank and purchased by the county with the hopes of establishing a permanent office in the building. In 2019, county commissioners combined the positions of Extension Administrative Assistant and Fair Manager to create a permanent full-time position. Josie Reynolds was the first person to fill this position and held it until August 2020. In October 2020, the office welcomed new Administrative Assistant and Fair Manager Jessica Erickson. Erickson has roots in the area, has been involved as a 4-H leader and parent, and is a Broadwater County Master Gardener. She hit the ground running during 4-H enrollment season and preparing for the 2021 fair. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic required the office to make changes to everyday business and programming. The Extension Agent and office staff worked from home as needed, held virtual meetings and adapted programs. For example, the Master Gardener class moved from an in-person class to virtual meetings during the third week of the eight-week program. 4-H activities were adapted, and the 2020 fair was cancelled except for approved 4-H activities. Even with these big changes, MSU Extension in Broadwater County continued to meet the needs of clientele and offer high quality educational programs while keeping the health and safety of clientele a priority.