Daniels County

Daniels County MSU Extension is a non-formal educational program designed to assist county residents through research-based resources and programing. Established in Daniels County in 1922, MSU Extension assists in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer science, community health and development, and youth development through 4-H. Daniels County is in the northeast corner of the state, adjacent to the southern border of Saskatchewan, Canada. Based on 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data, the population in Daniels County is approximately 1,700. Agriculture is the main industry, with over 84% of the land in the county being classified as farmland. The principal crops produced by acre include durum wheat, spring wheat, lentils, hay and haylage, and peas. Established in 1920, Daniels County boasts a variety of small-town community events including Lutefisk dinners, snowmobile races, ranch rodeos, the county’s annual Pioneer Days, and a county fair.

4-H Helps Restore Livestock Barns in Daniels County

In May 2023, Daniels County 4-H embarked on what will likely be the long-term project of painting and repairing the livestock and horse barns at the county fairgrounds. With the support and assistance of the Daniels County Fair Board – and some old-fashioned elbow grease, primer, and paint – county 4-H members, leaders, and parents pitched in to spruce up the weathered facilities. The primary tasks included scraping and power washing the interior and exterior of the barns – a tedious, yet fun and rewarding process that was new to several members. This was followed by priming and painting the prepared surfaces. Tasks also included addressing critical structural issues. After three workdays, the surrounding wood fence, metal panels, and one of three barns were considered “complete.” Daniels County 4-H plans to revisit the project next spring, tackling another one of the deteriorating barns. The barns have been holding 4-H project animals for the past several decades and represent an important functional piece of the local program’s history.

Caption: Freshly painted county barns.

Credit: Inga Hawbaker

County Interest in Montana Certified Seed Potatoes Continues to Grow

In Montana, certification of potatoes grown for seed is conducted by Montana State University. The Montana Certified Seed Program requires potatoes to undergo rigorous testing and inspections to ensure high-quality seed stock that meets the strictest tolerances for viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases. Over the last several years, MSU Extension has served Daniels County residents by facilitating access to certified seed potatoes, offering 3-4 proven varieties for the area. Since 2016, MSU Extension has seen a nearly 200% growth in pounds of potatoes ordered by Daniels County residents; the client base has grown by nearly 60%. Having access to certified seed potatoes is crucial for home gardeners across the county as certified potato varieties have been proven to be high quality and disease-free. Educational resources regarding planting, pests, and diseases are available at the local office for Daniels County residents.

Caption: Montana Certified Seed Potato Demand in Daniels County

Credit: Inga Hawbaker

Agricultural and Horticultural Needs in Daniels County

Spring and summer brought numerous questions regarding tree and shrub health, weed identification and management to the MSU Extension office, a trend that would continue into the fall. With the area experiencing its third year of drought-like conditions, MSU Extension agent Inga Hawbaker completed several in-county site visits to look at stressed deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs afflicted with various abiotic and biotic issues. Working with the MSU Schutter Diagnostic Lab, several cases of needlecast and needle blight diseases in species of evergreen were confirmed in the spring; Hawbaker assisted homeowners with monitoring efforts to determine appropriate windows for fungicide applications. Diagnostic services provided by MSU Extension resulted in 41 identified plants, insects, and diseases for Daniels County residents. The county experienced yet another season of high pest populations, namely grasshoppers, which was particularly detrimental to agricultural crops, gardens, and trees. Hawbaker worked in conjunction with MSU Extension Specialists to provide management recommendations to producers and homeowners.

Caption: Monitoring evergreen needle growth for fungicide applications.

Credit: Inga Hawbaker

Contact

113 Main Street
Scobey, MT 59263
406-487-2861
https://www.montana.edu/extension/