The new faces of Ravalli County extension
by JENNY HARRIS - Ravalli Republic
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Ravalli County’s new Montana State University Agricultural Extension Agent Bobbie Roos inspects a maple leaf outside of the County Extension office in Hamilton Wednesday afternoon. Originally from Kentucky, Roos comes to the Bitterroot after 15 years as the extension agent in Scobey.
WILL MOSS - Ravalli Republic
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There are some new faces in the Ravalli County Extension Office.
Following in the recent retirement footsteps of Rob Johnson, who served as the county’s extension agent for 36 years, the extension office is moving forward, with some new name tags.
Katelyn Andersen, Ravalli County’s 4H and Family Consumer Science Agent since 2006, said the office saw a bit of whirlwind after Johnson retired.
“Things have been pretty crazy over here,” Andersen said. “Within one month, nearly our entire office staff changed. Now that the fair is over, things are beginning to settle down and we’re able to focus on upcoming projects and plans.
“It’s kind of funny though, people still call expecting to get Rob and we have to tell them that he retired and we’ve got a new extension agent,” she said.
Bobbie Roos has been Ravalli County’s new Montana State University Extension agent since early August.
Raised on a dairy farm in Kentucky, Roos migrated west, where she served at the extension agent east of here in Scobey in Daniels County for the last 15 years.
Scobey is largely big farms and few people, so the Bitterroot Valley is a bit of a change for Roos.
“It’s a bit of a transition, but a good one,” Roos said. “Scobey is mostly big farms and dry land cropping with a very small population, maybe 1,000 people. I’m coming from an area where the farms are getting bigger, but the population is getting smaller. At one time, it was the biggest exporter of wheat in the United States.”
Andersen said she’s excited Roos is here.
“Although we have some new faces and I’m still relatively new, we still want people to know that we’re here and we serve the same purpose as we always have, non-biased information, education and the latest research,” Andersen said. “For a lot of people, our office may be the center of the latest information for agriculture or the place people go for land management questions. We hope we can continue to provide those services.”
Given the country’s economic downturn, it’s no secret financial hardship is a factor in the agricultural landscape. This is a time when extension can really be a help for farmers and ranchers, Roos said.
“I think in times like these is when extension can really shine,” Roos said. “As far as tools go in making sound decisions or needing accurate information, extension can really help. Of course, every family is different, with financially different goals. I know there are a lot of timely, expensive decisions many families are having to face.”
Extension offers classes that can help people make their dollar do a bit more.
“I’ve taught classes for families on how to stretch their dollars the farthest and programs involving small pastures or acreage and how to can grow your own food and harvesting gardens,” Andersen said. “We’re planning on providing some timely and interesting programs, including bringing back a program called Annie’s Project that helps women in agriculture understand business management.”
Roos said before she starts organizing programs, she’s hoping to play catch-up from the fair and learn more of the Bitterroot Valley’s dynamics.
“I think, as an extension agent, people have to learn to trust you,” Roos said. “I want to make sure when people approach me for information, I can not only get them all the information they need, but the most accurate information as well ... whether that’s deciding to sell land or take out a loan, it’s important to get them the right answers.”
Roos said she’s looking forward to her new position as the Ravalli County Extension Agent.
“I’ve got some experience behind me and I’m glad to be here,” she said. “The same needs are universal, no matter where you are, so I’m looking forward to the work.”
In the meantime, Andersen said they are working on office dynamics.
“It’s always busy over here and I’m happy Bobbie is behind Rob’s old desk,” she said. “Right now, we’re recovering from the fair and figuring out how to brew the office coffee so everybody likes it.”
Another new face in the office is Carianna Newton, the MSU Extension office’s new administrative assistant.
To reach the office call 375-6611 or e-mail ravalli@montana.edu. Roos can be reached at bRoos@montana.edu and Andersen can be reached at katelyna@montana.edu.
The office’s Web site has been updated to: http://www.msuextension.org/ravalli.
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