Ravalli County

Ravalli County is nestled within the Bitterroot Valley, bordered by the Bitterroot Mountains and the Bitterroot River. The county seat is Hamilton, Montana. As of the last census, the population is 43,806, which increased by 640 since the previous year. As a result, Ravalli County has seen an influx of folks still moving to the area. Ravalli County’s primary industry is agriculture, with 241,233 acres, primarily small acreage, and high commodity crop operations.

In contrast, tourism is a close second. Ravalli County ranks second in Montana for sold and produced value-added product sales at $1,329,000. Ravalli County is also second in the state for direct-to-consumer sales at $1,550,000. Agriculture will remain strong in Ravalli County because of its commitment to the diversity of products produced, innovative marketing techniques attracting today’s consumers, and collaboration with MSU Extension and the Western Agriculture Research Center to experiment with research-based novelty crops.

Western MT Winter WeedTreat

Western MT Winter Weedtreat, in partnership with MSU Extension Agents, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Ravalli County Weed District, Lolo Hot Springs, and Montana Department of Agriculture, presented a final opportunity for private and commercial pesticide applicators to receive needed continuing education credits to keep their licenses active. Licensed pesticide applicators need a minimum of six continuing education credits to maintain their Department of Agriculture license. The Western MT Winter Weed Treat was held in December 2022 and offered six credits for full day attendance and three credits for half day attendance.

Thirty-five adult private and commercial applicators across Montana and Ravalli County completed the six hour program. Participants reported the following impacts: 90% appreciated the opportunity to receive needed credits in an in person environment at the end of a cycle; 75% acquired credits that had not been offered previously at other pesticide education events in aquatic pesticide usage and pesticides and water; 28% increased their knowledge about pesticide tank mixes and the solubility of pesticides in water.

A Montana Department of Ag Regional Representative shared, “Thank you so much for training at Lolo Hot Springs, a lot of my applicators were very appreciative.” In addition to the pesticide education portion of the program, a wellness program was included for partners and significant others of pesticide applicators. This addition emphasized the benefit of collaborating across Extension program areas.

Caption: Presentation at Western MT Winter WeedTreat

Credit: Kimberly Richardson

Ag News and Brews

Ravalli County MSU Extension hosted the 2nd annual Ag News and Brews Program March through May, 2023. This engaging program was hosted at eight different establishments featuring eight guest presenters throughout the Bitterroot valley. At each location, attendance was standing room only. Each two-hour program included pub trivia, a guest presentation, and a questions and answers session.

Topics of instruction included 310 applications with the Bitterroot Conservation District, Pollinator Propagation with the NRCS, and Codling Moth management with the WARC. Each establishment provides a participatory opportunity to engage with experts in the field, and also allows participants to taste and explore local beverages and food within Ravalli County. The establishment receives 100% of the profit and are welcoming and hospitable, and want to be one of the stops on the upcoming Ag News and Brews program. One participant shared, “Ag News and Brews is an enjoyable program that allows me to learn in an environment that is conducive to my learning style.”

Caption: Ag News and Brews Event Backroad Cider

Credit: Kimberly Richardson

Forest Stewardship Workshop

Ravalli County MSU Extension in collaboration with the MSU Forestry specialist hosted the Forest Stewardship Workshop in Corvallis. The forest stewardship workshop allows property owners to consider and mitigate their potential for wildfire risks. Currently the Bitterroot Valley is in the process of adopting a new CWPP and many properties align within the suggested WUI.

The Forest Stewardship Workshop gives property owners the education and skills needed to prioritize their own property and wildfire risks. Ravalli County is considered by the DNRC as a high wildfire risk area. Topics of instruction included soil inventory, fire risk, weeds, seeding, and property assessment and management. Each workshop participant received the opportunity to learn and use tools of the trade for property inventories. A combination of field work and classroom lecture enabled attendees to learn by doing. One participant shared, “I learned a lot, and it really helped me narrow my fire mitigation property goals down to doable and manageable areas that align with my budget and labor requirements.”

Caption: Participants in the Bitterroot National Forest

Credit: Kimberly Richardson

Contact

215 S 4th Street Suite G
Hamilton, MT 59840
406-375-6611
https://www.montana.edu/extension/ravalli/