What MSU Extension Is
MSU Extension is the outreach arm of Montana State University in Bozeman. According to the MSU Extension about page, it offers unbiased, research-based education through 97 agents serving 56 counties and 7 reservations. Its work falls into four program areas: 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community Vitality, and Family and Consumer Sciences.
For a producer or a 4-H parent, the part that matters is the local office. Every county and reservation has its own Extension webpage, and the county and reservation office page lets you pick yours from a dropdown or find the nearest office on a map. If you are not sure who to call, the statewide Ask Us desk is the general contact point.
What Your County Agent Can Do for a Farm or Ranch
A good picture of day-to-day service comes from the Whitehall office, which serves Madison and Jefferson counties. The Whitehall Ledger profile of that office lists these services:
- Soil and forage testing for farmers and ranchers, and soil testing for gardeners.
- Well water testing kits, available at the office.
- Diagnosis of diseased trees and plants, insect problems and unidentified plants, with help from the Schutter Diagnostic Lab in Bozeman.
- Rancher roundtables and field days, plus workshops for small-acreage landowners on water, wildlife, weeds and pasture management.
Your own office will have its own mix, so call before you collect samples and ask how to submit them. The statewide numbers in the 2024 program impacts brochure show how broad the work is. Extension supports more than 5,000 pesticide applicators with the Montana Department of Agriculture, the Schutter lab made 2,767 diagnoses in 2023 across all 56 counties, and the drought and extreme weather tools served 800 farmers and ranchers in 20 counties.
Water Testing
Many Montana families and ranches drink from private wells. The same brochure reports that one-third of Montanans use private wells and that over 20 percent of those wells contain health-risk contaminants. Its Well Educated program distributes test kits with more than 40 partners, and more than 565 participants received personalized water quality reports. Ask your county office whether a kit is available and how to read the results.
4-H Through Extension
Extension runs 4-H in Montana. The brochure reports more than 14,000 youth enrolled from every county and reservation, led by 2,200 trained, certified volunteers. By its numbers, 37 percent of members live in large towns and cities, 36 percent in small towns and non-farm settings and 27 percent on farms and ranches, so a 4-H project does not require a farm.
The Whitehall office reports more than 200 project areas, from robotics and rabbits to sewing and swine. Each county sets its own age groups and deadlines. Beaverhead County's 2026 fair book, for example, defines Superstarter as 8 to 10 (turning 9 by September 30), Junior as 11 to 13 and Senior as 14 and older. Custer County's 2024 fair book required members to be enrolled in their projects by February 1. Always read your own county's rules rather than assuming a neighboring county's.
Livestock Quality Assurance
If you plan to show an animal, plan for training. The state 4-H animal science page says Montana 4-H requires members and a parent or guardian in any animal project, including breeding, to certify through Animal Quality Assurance training once as a junior and recertify once as a senior. New members complete a county workshop in their first year. Recertification can be through county training, an official online course from an industry association or university, or teaching AQA to younger members. Some counties have extra rules, so ask your agent which workshop dates are coming up.
Extension and the County Fair
Extension offices are the paperwork center for 4-H fair entries. Practices differ by county:
- Yellowstone County's 2025 fair guide said entries were made online at montanafair.com, with entry forms due June 27 and a $50 per exhibitor late fee until July 4.
- Custer County's 2024 fair book had entries due July 26 at the Extension Office, with no late entries accepted.
- Beaverhead County's 2026 book required pre-registration by August 15 through FairEntry, and asked for completed projects and record books at the Extension Office by October 1 for premium eligibility.
See the Beaverhead fair book and the Yellowstone fair guide for examples of what a county posts, and check your own county's page each spring.
Other Programs Worth Knowing
Beyond farm and 4-H work, the 2024 brochure lists Master Gardeners (more than 4,300 volunteer hours in 2024), nutrition education (1,715 classes reaching 3,966 Montanans), Mental Health First Aid, estate and legacy planning programs, and leadership training such as Big Sky, Big Leadership. Offerings vary by county.
Practical Tips
- Find your county page first, then call the office before you drive a soil sample or plant specimen in.
- Ask to be put on the office newsletter or mailing list. Fair and workshop dates often reach members that way.
- Enroll in 4-H early and ask about animal quality assurance dates before you buy an animal.
- Keep copies of fair entries and record books.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Extension offices does Montana have?
MSU Extension serves 56 counties and 7 reservations, and each has its own webpage listed on the county and reservation office page.
Do I have to live on a farm to join 4-H?
No. The 2024 program brochure reports that 37 percent of members live in large towns and cities and 36 percent in small towns and non-farm settings.
Can Extension help me test my well water?
Extension's Well Educated program distributes test kits through partners, and the Whitehall office reports kits at its front desk. Ask your own office.
Who do I call about plant disease or insects?
Your county agent, who can use the Schutter Diagnostic Lab in Bozeman for diagnosis.
Montana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Blackfeet Community College Extension Program
Runs a food and agriculture demonstration plot, rotational grazing on 327 acres and a buffalo program on the Blackfeet campus, with a mobile meat processing unit planned.
Browning, MT - Lincoln County MSU Extension Office
Eureka office open Monday and Wednesday through Friday; Lincoln County 4-H counts over 200 members in 8 clubs across Libby, Eureka, Troy, Fortine and Trego.
66121 Hwy 37, Eureka, MT 59917 | 406-296-9019 Website - MSU Extension Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Anaconda office serving Anaconda-Deer Lodge County 4-H, which grew from 55 to 94 youth and has 17 active volunteers.
800 Main St., Anaconda, MT 59711 | 406-563-4035 Website - MSU Extension Beaverhead County
County Extension office in Dillon that runs Beaverhead County 4-H, publishes the annual 4-H fair book and takes buyer registrations for the junior livestock sale.
Dillon, MT | 406-683-3785 - MSU Extension Beaverhead County Office
MSU Extension office for Beaverhead County in Dillon, offering local 4-H youth programs, ag and horticulture education, and Montana State University research-based guidance.
205 E Center St, Dillon, MT 59725 | 406-683-3785 Website - MSU Extension Big Horn County
Extension office serving Big Horn County with 4-H, gardening classes, forage and tree consultations, family and consumer science programs and invasive weed biocontrol near Lodge Grass.
Hardin, MT 59034 | 406-665-9770 Website - MSU Extension Big Horn County Office
Hardin base of MSU Extension in Big Horn County, the local contact for 4-H, crop and livestock questions, noxious weeds, gardening and family programs.
Hardin, MT - MSU Extension Blackfeet Reservation Office
Tribal MSU Extension program on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, supporting reservation producers, youth and families with ag and community education.
Browning, MT - MSU Extension Blaine County
Blaine County Extension agent Julianne Snedigar wrote in August 2026 about how 4-H and FFA families prepare projects all year for the county fair.
Chinook, MT - MSU Extension Blaine County Office
Montana State University Extension county office at Chinook serving Blaine County residents with 4-H, agriculture, natural resources and community education.
Chinook, MT - MSU Extension Broadwater County
Extension office on Broadway in Townsend that coordinates Broadwater County 4-H, the 4-H livestock committee and the proxy and absentee bidding for the fair sale.
416 Broadway, Townsend, MT 59644 | 406-266-9242 - MSU Extension Broadwater County Office
County-level MSU Extension presence in Townsend, Broadwater County: a first stop for 4-H clubs, farm and ranch education and home horticulture help.
Townsend, MT - MSU Extension Carbon County
Carbon County Extension office publishes the monthly 4-H newsletter, sets the 4-H record book deadline (August 24, 2026) and hosts the county 4-H Council.
MT Website - MSU Extension Carbon County Office
MSU Extension office for Carbon County in Joliet, offering local 4-H youth programs, ag and horticulture education, and Montana State University research-based guidance.
Joliet, MT - MSU Extension Carter County
Extension office in Ekalaka offering 4-H Cloverbuds, teen ambassadors, craft workshops and ventenata weed identification work with MSU and ARS specialists.
214 East Park Street, Ekalaka, MT 59324 | 406-775-6305 - MSU Extension Cascade County Office
Great Falls base of MSU Extension in Cascade County, the local contact for 4-H, crop and livestock questions, noxious weeds, gardening and family programs.
3300 3rd Street NE #9, Great Falls, MT 59404 | 406-454-6980 Website - MSU Extension Chouteau County Office
Montana State University Extension county office at Fort Benton serving Chouteau County residents with 4-H, agriculture, natural resources and community education.
Fort Benton, MT - MSU Extension Custer County Office
County-level MSU Extension presence in Miles City, Custer County: a first stop for 4-H clubs, farm and ranch education and home horticulture help.
1010 Main Street, Miles City, MT 59301 | 406-874-3370 - MSU Extension Daniels County
Extension office on Main Street in Scobey, open weekdays, led by County Extension Agent Inga Hawbaker and responsible for the county 4-H program.
113 Main Street, Scobey, MT 59263 | 406-487-2861 Website - MSU Extension Daniels County Office
MSU Extension office for Daniels County in Scobey, offering local 4-H youth programs, ag and horticulture education, and Montana State University research-based guidance.
113 Main Street, Scobey, MT 59263 | 406-487-2861 - MSU Extension Dawson County
Glendive Extension office running 4-H, soil testing, the Dawson County Community Garden and the Cultivating Careers pest and weed identification event for nearly 600 students.
207 W. Bell St., Glendive, MT 59330 | 406-377-4277 Website - MSU Extension Dawson County Office
Glendive base of MSU Extension in Dawson County, the local contact for 4-H, crop and livestock questions, noxious weeds, gardening and family programs.
Glendive, MT - MSU Extension Deer Lodge County Office
Montana State University Extension county office at Anaconda serving Deer Lodge County residents with 4-H, agriculture, natural resources and community education.
Anaconda, MT - MSU Extension Fallon County
Baker office that offers nitrate and forage testing, weed-free forage certification, drone spraying workshops and pressure canner gauge testing.
10 W. Fallon, Baker, MT 59313 | 406-778-7110 - MSU Extension Fallon-Carter County Office
County-level MSU Extension presence in Baker, Fallon-Carter County: a first stop for 4-H clubs, farm and ranch education and home horticulture help. The office is shared across Fallon and Carter counties.
Baker, MT - MSU Extension Fergus County
Lewistown office offering pesticide applicator training, rural safety events and 4-H programs for 253 youth members.
712 W. Main St., Lewistown, MT 59457 | 406-535-3919 Website - MSU Extension Fergus County Office
MSU Extension office for Fergus County in Lewistown, offering local 4-H youth programs, ag and horticulture education, and Montana State University research-based guidance.
Lewistown, MT - MSU Extension Flathead County Office
Kalispell base of MSU Extension in Flathead County, the local contact for 4-H, crop and livestock questions, noxious weeds, gardening and family programs.
Kalispell, MT - MSU Extension Flathead Reservation Office
MSU Extension affiliate serving the Flathead Reservation out of Pablo, with 4-H, agriculture and nutrition outreach for tribal communities.
Pablo, MT - MSU Extension Fort Belknap Reservation Office
Extension office at Harlem for the Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana State University's tribal outreach on farming, ranching, youth and family programs.
656 Agency Main St, Harlem, MT 59526 | 406-353-2656 Website - MSU Extension Fort Peck Reservation Office
MSU Extension tribal office at Poplar, connecting the Fort Peck Reservation with Montana State University 4-H, livestock and gardening resources.
Poplar, MT - MSU Extension Gallatin County
Gallatin County Extension office on North Black Avenue in Bozeman, which manages 4-H registration, interviews, record books and fair entry.
903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman, MT - MSU Extension Gallatin County Office
Montana State University Extension county office at Belgrade serving Gallatin County residents with 4-H, agriculture, natural resources and community education.
Belgrade, MT - MSU Extension Garfield County
Jordan office running monthly 4-H workshops, Winter Ag series, predator control talks and local government training.
Jordan, MT | 406-557-2770 - MSU Extension Garfield County Office
County-level MSU Extension presence in Jordan, Garfield County: a first stop for 4-H clubs, farm and ranch education and home horticulture help.
Jordan, MT - MSU Extension Glacier County
Courthouse Annex office open weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. coordinating Glacier County 4-H clubs, camps and fair registration.
1210 East Main St., Cut Bank, MT 59427 | 406-873-2239 - MSU Extension Glacier County Office
MSU Extension office for Glacier County in Cut Bank, offering local 4-H youth programs, ag and horticulture education, and Montana State University research-based guidance.
Cut Bank, MT - MSU Extension Granite County Office
Philipsburg base of MSU Extension in Granite County, the local contact for 4-H, crop and livestock questions, noxious weeds, gardening and family programs.
Philipsburg, MT - MSU Extension Hill County Office
Montana State University Extension county office at Havre serving Hill County residents with 4-H, agriculture, natural resources and community education.
Havre, MT - MSU Extension Judith Basin County Office
County-level MSU Extension presence in Stanford, Judith Basin County: a first stop for 4-H clubs, farm and ranch education and home horticulture help.
Stanford, MT
Plus 50 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Montana directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.