Cultivating Community Education

Published: 2022
By Molly Yurdana

To reach the larger-scale agricultural producers of Gallatin County, Agent Molly Yurdana worked with various Agriculture Lenders to provide an educational luncheon for the Gallatin Beef Producer Association in the winter of 2022. With representatives from MSU Extension, Gallatin County Commission, and Montana Stockgrowers Association, speakers educated producers on local news in agriculture, strategies for grazing after drought, and addressed statewide challenges for cattle producers. In February of 2022, Gallatin County MSU Extension offered programming to crop producers, agricultural businesses and industry employees through a tri-county Crop School seminar in conjunction with Broadwater and Madison/Jefferson counties. MSU Extension Specialists from various departments and a panel of local producers provided discussion on irrigation management during drought, forage nitrate concerns, utilizing cover crops, and strategies for using herbicides to avoid resistance in crops. Throughout 2022, Yurdana administered seven exams and licenses to landowners, certifying them as Private Applicators through the Pesticide Education Program, and conducted 13 hay field inspections, certifying 350 acres as Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage through the Montana Department of Ag program. To serve urban and small-acreage clientele, Gallatin County MSU Extension provided services and resources in plant and insect identification, soil and nitrate testing, pasture and lawn management, and disease and abiotic diagnostics for home gardens, shrubs and trees. Just as in 2021, the Gallatin county office saw an increase in client inquiries in 2022 by phone, email, and/or physical samples brought in. Agent Molly Yurdana, with assistance from Admin Kari Ballenger, received more than 250 calls and/or emails from residents looking for assistance. Gallatin County MSU Extension collaborated with the Schutter Diagnostic Lab on 24 of the submitted samples and Midwest Labs on 28 soil tests for additional diagnostic services.