Cascade County

Cascade County, located in central Montana, is one of the population centers in the state and is known as the "Electric City" due to its historical significance in regard to the hydroelectric generation plants and smelter activity. The MSU Extension office is located in the county seat, Great Falls, which is on the Missouri River and is one of the pioneer cities in the state. The terrain is primarily gently rolling plains that are dissected by the Missouri River and its numerous coulees and tributaries. The Little Belt Mountains are found in the southeastern portion of the county. Population of the county is approximately 84,400, which includes the rural area, the incorporated city of Great Falls, and the towns of Belt, Cascade, Centerville, Fort Show, Monarch, Neihart, Sand Coulee, Simms, Sun River, Ulm, and Vaughn, many of which have complete K-12 school systems.

Cascade County's economic base includes agriculture, the military, education, small manufacturing, food processing, and many service industries. The majority of agricultural income is derived from crop production.

Great Falls is home to the Benefis Health Care system (one of the premier hospitals and health care organizations in Montana), Malmstrom Air Force Base, and many cultural attractions including the Charles M. Russell Museum/Gallery, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, the Paris Gibson Center, and the First People's Buffalo Jump. Great Falls is a primary destination point for tourism. Outdoor recreational opportunities include fishing, hunting, boating, golfing, hiking, and historical exploration.

First annual Montana Small Pork Producer Conference held in Great Falls

MSU Extension and Montana Pork Producers Council (MPPC) have partnered since 1984 to identify swine breeders and youth exhibitors who raise and exhibit swine through a program called “Symbol of Excellence.” Rose Malisani has served as the Symbol of Excellence coordinator since 2015 and is on the MPPC board. MPPC hosts educational events through the year, but identified they weren’t reaching small pork producers because of event timing.

Malisani brainstormed with MPPC to begin hosting webinars in 2021 with topics to engage small pork producers and youth. A total of 244 youth, swine breeders, and other interested parties joined the webinars. Grants helped to secure $5,000 for the program and Malisani partnered with fellow agent Katrin Finch, MPPC personnel and a small pork producer to plan the first annual Montana Small Pork Producer Conference in April of 2023 in Great Falls for 50 adult and youth participants. Topics included swine genetics with Randy Shipley, owner of Shipley Swine Genetics; health with Dr. Anna Forseth with the National Pork Producers Council; a swine processing and butcher panel; and local caterers provided pork dishes. Attendees left the conference feeling supported and educated from hoof to plate. The second annual conference will be held in spring of 2024.

Invasive eastern heath snail in Cascade, Chouteau, and Judith Basin counties

Eastern heath snails have been established in Cascade County and recently discovered in Chouteau and Judith Basin counties. Research on the invasive pest has focused on biology and control of the snails. Jeff Littlefield, MSU research scientist and Amy Roda, USDA-APHIS entomologist, are conducting research outside of Belt, MT. Littlefield is using trail cameras to document daily habits and mobility. Roda’s research focuses on bait stations using molluscicides.

MSU, USDA-APHIS, and MSU Extension are partnering with the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) to monitor the pest and evaluate control methods. MDA is monitoring and documenting old and new populations of the snail. Movement of the eastern heath snail is believed to be from its ability to hitchhike on vehicles and equipment. One snail can climb on a car and drop off to establish a new population because snails reproduce both sexually and asexually. Eastern heath snails are a species of concern because they can contaminate crops that are exported and imported, as well as damage harvesting equipment. Current research will assist in controlling the Eastern heath snail population and understanding how the snail can affect the bottom line. 

Caption: Invasive Eastern heath snails.

Credit: Rose Malisani

Serving Safe Food

MSU Extension Cascade County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Katrin Finch offers evidence-based education and programs in the areas of foods and nutrition through ServSafe Food Safety Manager Training and Certification. The Food Safety Manager program is an eight-hour training program for food service owners, managers, and staff or employees to learn the most up-to-date and best food handling practices.

To be certified, participants must achieve 70% or higher on a 90-question exam. In 2023, Finch held 11 classes reaching a total of 135 food service employees, including 59 that work in schools across Montana with an average passing score of 81.65%. Upon completion of the class and exam, participants report learning proper methods to sanitize surfaces, the importance of managing food temperatures to reduce harmful bacterial growth, and methods to prevent a foodborne illness outbreak. 

Caption: Preparing a red pepper

Credit: iStock

Cascade County 4-H Shootings Sports – Teaching Skills to Last a Lifetime

4-H Shooting Sports is the second largest Cascade County 4-H project,  enrolling 78 youth in nine shooting sports disciplines in 2023. Available disciplines include Small Bore (.22) Rifle and Pistol, Air Rifle and Pistol, BB Gun, Western Heritage, Archery, Hunting Skills, and Shotgun.

Cascade County 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Instructors teach youth shooting sports skills in the safe operation of firearms and archery equipment throughout the 4-H year at shooting ranges throughout the county. The program partners with the Missouri River Shooters Association, the Black Horse Shootists, and the Great Falls Trap & Skeet Club to provide range time at little-to-no-cost to Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports. In 2023, Cascade County 4-H enrolled nine dedicated instructors.

Caption: Cascade County 4-H Youth shooting in a prone position.

Credit: Allyssa Peak

Contact

3300 3rd St. NE, #9
Great Falls, MT 59404
406-454-6980
https://www.montana.edu/extension/cascade