Located in Southwest Montana along the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains, you will find the “Richest Hill on Earth.” Known for its vast history as a mining town, rich in its Irish heritage, and recognized by the “Our Lady of the Rockies” statue and the Berkley Pit, Silver Bow County is unique in many ways. It is one of two counties in Montana with a combined city-county government, run by a chief executive and 12 county commissioners. There is a county population of 34,400 with a land area of just over 718 square miles, making it the smallest land-mass county in the state. The economy is driven by health care, education, mining and tourism. It is home to the filming of 1923, the latest Yellowstone television show prequel, St. James Hospital, NorthWestern Energy, and Montana Tech. The MSU Extension Office is staffed by 4-H Youth Development and Family Consumer Science Agent Kellie Kahtani, and SNAP-Ed Instructor Jen Friedberg.

A view of the Highland mountain range to the south of Butte.
Photo Courtesy of Kellie Kahtani

The focus of the 2021-2022 4-H year was to increase community service projects at the club and county levels. In October 2021, each club outlined its plans for community service as the new 4-H year started. The Animal Crackers club chose to work with foster families, Copper Clovers worked with the Butte Rescue Mission, and Copper Mountain focused on homeless pets. As we entered the new 4-H year, the program was growing. Silver Bow County 4-H added “Food Bank Donation” to their county-wide potato sales fundraiser in October 2022, with each donation adding up to a 10-pound bag of Montana-grown Bausch Potatoes. On November 11, 170 bags (1700 pounds) of fresh russet potatoes were delivered to the Butte Emergency Food Bank on behalf of the 4-H program. We will continue our work with the Butte Emergency Food Bank, as the Animal Crackers 4-H Club has challenged each other clubs within the county to collect donated food through a “Reverse Advent Calendar,” with members placing items into the donation box through mid-December. We are proud that the Silver Bow County 4-H members and leaders focus on the “H”s of 4-H and putting the focus on the 4-H pledge all members recite at the beginning of meetings: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living. For my club, my community, my country, and my world.”

Kyle Kinsey, president of the Animal Crackers 4-H club, helps deliver 1700 pounds of donated potatoes to the Butte Emergency Food Bank.
Photo Courtesy of Bobbie Kinsey, Animal Crackers Club Leader

The new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education Instructor began with MSU Extension in January 2022. Since then, she has reached more than 12 community members through direct education and has continued a strong partnership with the Silver Bow Developmental Disabilities Council (SBDDC) which manages the county’s SNAP/Double SNAP program. The SNAP Education Instructor has increased the amount of fresh local produce getting into the hands of community members through the distribution of Double SNAP Dollar coupons that class participants receive when they complete a lesson. These coupons can then be redeemed at the farmer's market for $10 extra dollars to be spent on fruits and vegetables. In partnership with SBDDC, the SNAP Education Instructor has also increased the quantity and diversity of produce found at the Butte winter farmer's market, now in its second year. Working with the Western Montana Growers Co-op, SNAP-Ed and SBDDC bring fresh Montana-grown produce to each market, making the healthy choice the easy choice for community members shopping at the market.

Photo Courtesy of Jen Friedberg, SNAP-Ed Instructor