Reimagining Worden and Ballantine

Published: 2021
By Jackie Rumph

In the summer of 2021, community members in Worden sought help from MSU Extension to “revitalize” what they perceived to be a dying town. Through the recommendation of MSU Extension Yellowstone County, they applied for and were accepted into the Reimagining Rural statewide program. Reimagining Rural gathers communities of rural Montana together to hear speakers talk about responses to key issues rural communities face. After each session, attendees discussed how these responses might be approached in their community. The discussions were facilitated by MSU Extension Yellowstone County agents. Fifteen to twenty individuals attended each session and were positive about ideas for their community. Attendees were comprised of people who had lived in the community their entire lives, as well as people who had relocated because they desired the rural town feel. Collectively, they agreed a community feedback survey would be beneficial to help guide their project. This survey asked for community feedback on the brainstormed ideas the Worden Reimaging Rural group discussed during their sessions. The survey was distributed to the school, main street businesses, and virtually. A strong response of completed surveys were received, with half being returned via hard copy and half being returned virtually. Survey respondents agreed that the strongest assets of the Worden area are: 1. the people of their community; 2. the school; 3. Main Street. After reading the survey responses, community leaders worked together to determine an initial project, and continue to work with MSU Extension Yellowstone County to apply for a grant which will assist in implementing the project in spring of 2022. The community identified several ideas promoting connection in their rural area including a farmers market, community-based classes, and a food truck night. They are working together to offer a gathering on Main Street in the spring and the fall and have even bigger ideas to consider as they move forward. Regardless of whether this group receives a grant, their ability to come together to respond to their community will carry them forward.