What is Extension?

Extension is Montana State University's statewide educational outreach network, applying unbiased, research-based University resources to address community needs.

Extension is your MSU resource for:

  • Food & Nutrition
  • Financial planning
  • Housing & Environmental Health
  • Gardening & Landscaping
  • Water Quality
  • Range, LIvestock & Sustainable Agriculture
  • Farm & Ranch Management
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Wildfire
  • Forestry
  • Community Development
  • 4-H Youth Development

MSU Extension Publications

Montana State University offers publications covering a wide range of topics including:

  • Quick Order Publication Kits
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Outdoors, Environment and Wildlife
  • Yard and Garden
  • Business and Community Development
  • Family Financial Management
  • Family and Human Development
  • Housing and Environmental Health
  • Nutrition and Health

MSU Extension Publications

About Sanders County

Sanders County covers a diverse area. Spanning 130 miles of the lower Clark Fork river valley in Northwest Montana the county consists of forested valleys and mountain ranges on the west end and open grasslands towards the east. Thompson Falls, the county seat, lies in the west-central portion of the county. While areas of western Sanders County receive in excess of 36" average annual precipitation, locations near Niarada and Lonepine may experience less than 10", making them fairly arid. The agricultural and natural resource base of the area follows a similar pattern. Traditional farming and ranching communities occupy the eastern third and a mixed small farm-logging economy is found towards the west. A population shift from the incorporated cities to rural dwellings occurred in Sanders Co. during the late 1980's and early 90's. While the incorporated cities of Thompson Falls, Plains and Hot Springs lost 10-30 % of their population, the county as a whole grew by approximately 18% to slightly over 10,000. The Sanders County Extension office is staffed by one full-time Agriculture/Natural Resources & one SNAP Education Trainer/ Family & Consumer Science agent. It is further staffed by one administrative assistant.

MSU Extension Logo

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State University Extension prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cody Stone, Director of Extension, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717