MSU Extension Service seeks input at public meetings in nearly every county across the state in September and October.

The Montana State University Extension Service will collect public input this autumn to help establish programming priorities. Meetings will take place in nearly every county across the state in September and October.

By MSU-Bozeman News Service

The purpose of the meetings is to identify and prioritize each community’s greatest areas of need. The process will help shape Extension programming efforts for several years. All members of the community are welcome to participate, including those who are unfamiliar with the Extension Service or those who have never participated in its programs.

"The primary mission of the Extension Service is to direct the resources of Montana State University to the areas where they are needed most," said Interim Extension Director LeRoy Luft. "Montana’s communities are so diverse, that what may be an important need in one area may not even be an issue in another. In order to meet each community’s greatest needs, we want to hear directly from the people about what those needs may be."

Extension agents will also collect input on the research conducted through the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Extension Service is an outreach arm of MSU with professional educators in over 50 offices across the state. Extension meets local needs through programs in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community development, and youth development. Extension also administers the 4-H program, which is Montana’s largest youth organization.

For more information about the community meetings, contact your local extension office or Betty McCoy at the State 4-H office, (406) 994-3501.

Contact: Betty McCoy, State 4-H office, 994-3501

http://www.montana.edu/commserv/csnews/nwview.php?article=1226