Author: Press Room

MSU-Billings Sees Increase in Enrollment

25 October 2021
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Montana State University Billings enrollment 2021 data which shows a 10 percent increase in first-time freshmen enrollment from last fall semester. At its official 15th class-day count, 4,112 students were enrolled with 2,375 students at University Campus and 1,737 at City College.

With in-demand degree programs, affordable tuition, numerous scholarship opportunities, robust student services, and flexible in-person, online and HyFlex courses, more students are realizing that attending college away from home is not always the best option for them, which is reflective of MSUB’s first-time freshmen enrollment numbers, say officials.

Notable areas of growth for MSU Billings’ fall 2021 semester compared to fall 2020 semester included:

* 22% increase in American Indian graduate students

* 13% increase in new Yellowstone County student enrollment

* 7% increase in overall undergraduate transfer students

* 5% increase in degree seeking graduate student enrollment

* Programs with significant enrollment growth: Welding and Metal Fabrication Certificate 120%, Welding and Fabrication (AAS) 13%, Business Administration (BS) 29%, General Business (AAS) 29%, Health and Human Performance (BS, MS) 42%, Outdoor Adventure Leadership (BS) 40%, Psychology (BA) 40%, Psychology (BS) 37%, Psychiatric Rehabilitation (BS) 10%, Health Administration (BS) 6%.

Vice Chancellor for Student Access and Success Kim Hayworth mentions that MSUB has seen a 13 percent increase in new Yellowstone County student enrollment this fall. She says that she is happy that more local students are taking advantage of MSUB’s high-quality programs and affordable tuition. “More of our local students are realizing what an attractive option MSUB is and are choosing to stay close to home,” says Hayworth. “We are also excited to welcome our new and transfer students to campus where they will receive such a high-quality and individualized college experience.”

MSUB’s College of Health Professions and Science (CHPS) also experienced an enrollment increase in their health programs. CHPS is housed in the newly completed, state-of-the-art Yellowstone Science and Health Building, the only one of its kind in the region.

The number of Dual Enrollment students (where high school students take college courses at their high school or at MSUB) increased significantly, which speaks to the strong partnership MSUB has with School District 2 (SD2) and other Yellowstone County schools. Provost Sep Eskandari gives a nod to those who have worked hard to build relationships with surrounding schools to promote Dual Enrollment. “Students who take college-level courses in high school save a significant amount in college tuition, and in many cases, will have little to no student debt when they graduate college.”

Montana Unemployment

25 October 2021
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Montana is among 18 states that have unemployment rates lower than before the pandemic, according to WalletHub.

Surprisingly, D.C. had unemployment claims last week that were worse than the same week last year. 

Leading the way in recovery over the past week is South Carolina, followed by Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia. Montana ranks sixth among the states.

Least recovered states are District of Columbia, Virginia, Michigan, Nebraska and California.

There are currently 8.4 million Americans unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in total. There were 326,000 new unemployment claims nationwide, which is a lot fewer than the 6.1 million during the peak of the pandemic (a 95% reduction).

Red states are recovering more quickly than Blue states, in general.

Montana Hunting Season Should be OK Despite Drought

25 October 2021
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By Bob Pepalis, The Center Square

A long drought and extreme high temperatures don’t seem to have decreased possibilities for good hunting seasons, a Montana Outfitters and Guides Association official said.

Despite the heat and dry conditions, animals seem to be doing fine, Mac Minard, executive director of the association, told The Center Square. But it will be localized.

“Today I’m in the extreme northeast corner of Montana, and the country looks great. Grain and crops haven’t been bad. They’ve been OK,” he said.

The day before he was in the Bear Paws, south of Northern Great Falls and south of Hammond. The Bear Paws looked pretty good, though extremely dry.

“But the animals are doing fine. We’re seeing very good numbers of deer in most places. We’re seeing excellent horn growth on the elk,” Minard said.

He said it looks like the drought will have very little if any effect on most of the places he’s visited, and it looks to me like the drought is going to have very little, if any, effect on most of the places visited. He expects a good hunting season.

The National Integrated Drought Information System on Sept. 19 reported that 98.7% of Montana was in at least a severe drought, with more than 68% of the state in an extreme drought. In an extreme drought, crops are not harvestable; winter pasture is opened for grazing; soil has large cracks; fields are bare, and fire restrictions increase.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a statewide drought emergency on July 1.

Hunters still need to be aware in super dry areas, like around Jordan, Minard said.

“Parking your vehicle can be a very dangerous proposition if you’re not paying attention. And we’ve got to be super, super careful this year about where those vehicles are parked,” Minard said.

Hunters need to make sure the grass doesn’t touch the catalytic converter when they park and take special precautions to make sure they aren’t creating a problem, he said.

All the reports he’s received across the state have been good, which was not what people might have thought.

It won’t necessarily be good news for all hunters.

“I think waterfowl, some bird hunters are going to be a little disappointed. But the big game stuff seems to be doing quite well actually. And as I said horn growth has been surprisingly good,” Minard said.

Montana Farm Bureau Convention, Nov. 8-11

25 October 2021
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The 102nd Montana Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention is slated for November 8-11 at the DoubleTree and Northern Hotels in Billings. Members can expect to hear speakers on various topics, discuss policy for the coming year and enjoy the camaraderie with farmers and ranchers from across the state.

Highlights of the convention include speakers Jay Hill, who will engage members to keep pushing for their way of life; Mike Pearson, who will present an  outlook for the farm markets and global trends; and Frank King, who will illustrate how suicide prevention practices facilitate a healthier, more productive farm. Workshops include a calving seminar with a calving simulator, grazing management decisions following a drought, legacy planning, and building on consumer trust.

The heart of the convention is bringing together voting delegates from county Farm Bureaus to debate and discuss policy for 2022. Each county meets in September to develop policy based on issues of concern; that policy is brought to the state convention for a vote.

To register, visit www. mfbf.org.  For more information on the YF&R Discussion Meet, visit https://mfbf.org/ Programs/ Young- Farmers- Ranchers.

Montana Chamber Applauds Stockman Bank

25 October 2021
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On October 1st, the Montana Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newest Treasure State member, Stockman Bank.

Stockman Bank has been a member of the Montana Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years. They take great pride in being Montana’s largest, family-owned, full-service community bank. With 36 statewide locations and 825 employees, Stockman Bank is the largest Ag Bank in Montana and one of the State’s largest commercial and real estate lenders. 

By investing at the Treasure State level, they play a significant role in advancing the Chamber’s 10-year strategic plan, Envision 2026, and other initiatives to improve Montana’s business climate, safeguard a vital infrastructure, address workforce challenges, and build on the entrepreneurial strength of the Big Sky State.

“Entrepreneurship and small business are the backbone of our State. As a Montana family-owned business, we know when we help our local businesses move forward, we move our communities forward, which then moves Montana forward,” stated Bill Coffee, President and CEO of Stockman Bank. “By supporting the Montana Chamber of Commerce as a top-tier investor, we help our local businesses continue to grow and succeed.” 

The Montana Chamber actively recruits member support at a variety of levels. However, the Montana Chamber’s largest supporters are Treasure State members, and they are critical to fulfilling the Chamber’s mission. Stockman Bank is now one of four Montana companies that are top-tier Treasure State investors.

Todd O’Hair, President and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce closed the announcement by saying, “Stockman Bank is an industry leader in Montana, and we look forward to working with the entire Stockman Bank team to build a stronger and more successful Montana economy. We appreciate their confidence in the work the Montana Chamber is doing on behalf of the Montana business community.”

Montana Best State to Start a Farm

25 October 2021
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Lawn Starter has compared the 50 states across 42 key metrics to rank the best state in which to start a farm or ranch. Montana comes out at the very top.

The ranking is the result of examining existing farm communities to indicate viability, good infrastructure, and a suitable climate. They also compared the states based on overhead and the potential for return on investment.

Lawn Starter’s announcement stated, “The Big Sky State earns the top spot in our ranking of 2021’s Best States to Start a Farm or Ranch. With agriculture its biggest industry, Montana’s victory comes as little surprise. 

“The state placed in the top 10 in five out of seven categories and No. 15 in ROI Potential. Montana trails only Wyoming in farm size, averaging a whopping 2,156 acres, and the average cost of an acre in the Treasure State is lowest in the U.S.

“Although ranching is woven into the state’s cultural fabric, farming also contributes significantly to the state’s economy. Montana is a top supplier of beef, and it leads the nation’s production of organic certified wheat, dry peas, lentils, flax, and honey.”

Montana’s Rank for Some Key Metrics (1 = Best)

* Increase in Farmland Area Over Past Year – 1st

* Share of Electricity from Renewable Sources – 7th

* Number of Critical Access Hospitals – 8th

* Yearly Average Number of Very Hot Days (90 Degrees F or Higher) – 18th

* Natural Hazards Index – 5th

* Farm Workers per 100,000 Residents – 9th

* Average Per-Acre Cost of Farmland – 1st

* Average Per-Farm Receipts from Federal Programs – 4th 

Coming in at No. 2 is Kansas, while Texas clocks in at No. 4, Oklahoma at No. 5, and Iowa in seventh place. Both Dakotas made it, too, at Nos. 3 and 6. Colorado (No. 9) and Wyoming (No. 10) round out the Plains states at the top. 

But how specifically did this broad, sweeping landscape dominate the top of our ranking? Most of these states, such as Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, boast cheap land, large established farming communities for support, and highly developed infrastructure. 

Alaska not only ranked at the very bottom of our ranking of top agricultural states, but it also finished last in two out of seven categories, Viability and Climate; third to last in Personnel; and in the worst 10 of Infrastructure and ROI Potential. These results are hardly a shock. Although Alaska is the bi

Martz Foundation Announces Three Awards

25 October 2021
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The Montana Foundation has announced winners for the third annual “Judy Martz Women in Leadership” awards.  Hallie Thompson of Great Falls, Kimberly Siemsen of Billings, and Maria Begger of Harlowton will share a total of $5,000 to further their leadership skills from the 2021 round of the Judy Martz “Women in Leadership” awards.

The award memorializes former Governor Judy Martz, Montana’s first and only female state executive, who passed away October 2017.  The Montana Foundation continues the Martz Fund created in 2018 to provide leadership development for Montana women, following the trail blazed by Martz.

Thompson will use the funds to help buy a food truck to expand her start-up business, Wholesome Hal’s.  “I hope to continue building my sphere of influence in the same way Governor Martz did as a small businesswoman.”  Coincidentally, October is National Women’s Small Business Month.

Siemsen will use her award as a scholarship toward a Native American Studies Certificate through Montana State University.  According to her application, “Our Native American population deserves to be acknowledged and discussed in a modern and authentic way.”

Begger’s award will go toward a masters in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from UM.  After graduating and becoming a fully licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, “I want to get a job within the schools and special education cooperatives of small-town Montana to serve and provide speech and language services to the rural populations of the state,” she says.

“We had nearly 60 applicants this year, all highly qualified and deserving,” said Kathy Brown, Chair of the Martz Fund Committee.  “This is a testament to our late Governor Judy Martz.”

The three winners will become part of the committee selecting the 2022 award recipients.  Contributions toward the fund are welcome as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity.  Go to www.MontanaFoundation.wordpress.com/ Martz  or call 406-431-9508 for information.

EPA Funds Global Warming Programs

25 October 2021
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced up to $3 million in funding available for local programs aimed at educating the public about global warming.

Funds for the 2021 Environmental Education (EE) Local Grant Program are now available. Funds will be provided to each of EPA’s 10 Regions, of no less than $50,000 and no more than $100,000 each. The federal agency will provide a total of 30-40 grants nationwide. Applications for acquiring some of the funds are due Dec. 6, 2021.

The 2021 EE Local Grant Program includes support for projects that focus on adapting for climate change and strategies to mitigate its impacts to prevent future problems relating to water quality and “human health issues.”

Each of the ten EPA Regions will issue more specific details about what they hope to achieve.

EPA intends to provide financial support for projects in which activists will be provided information and methods on how to enlighten the public with information the agency believes will “increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment.” They will especially target poor communities and people of color or indigenous populations and Title 1 schools – entities  that may be the least informed.

This program has been in place since 1992, EPA has distributed between $2 and $3.5 million in grant funding per year under this program, supporting more than 3,800 grants.

Dave Kelsey, Outstanding Agriculture Leader

25 October 2021
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During Montana State University’s Celebrate Agriculture Weekend on November 12-13, Dave Kelsey of Molt will receiving the Outstanding Agriculture Leader Award. The award is given to a Montana agriculturalist who embodies service, engagement and community impact, and we here at Northern Ag Network can think of no one better to receive the award than Dave Kelsey.

Kelsey, who was raised on a Montana farm producing sugar beets, corn and grains, has operated his own dryland farm for more than 40 years, growing small grains and raising cattle. A graduate of MSU’s agricultural education program, he has served as an agriculture teacher and spent decades promoting agricultural education at all levels.

In addition to running his business, Kelsey was a member of the Molt Volunteer Fire Department for more than 30 years, led 4-H activities for more than 25 years and has lobbied extensively for agricultural issues in both Helena and Washington, D.C. He currently serves as the chairman of MSU Extension’s Advisory Committee.

“I have known Mr. Kelsey since I first started working in government relations for Montana State University. Part of my job was to find advocates to speak to the Montana Legislature in support of MSU Extension, the MSU College of Agriculture and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station,” Tracy Ellig, MSU’s vice president for communications, wrote in a nomination letter. “Mr. Kelsey was not only willing, but he was also enthusiastic beyond compare. He always arrived with a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye and an unshakeable belief in the value of agriculture to the people of Montana.”

“Since the first time I met Dave, I knew that he was cut from a different cloth than most,” wrote Darrin Boss, head of MSU’s Department of Research Centers. “His humanity and desire for others to be happy and appreciated is very much respected and makes him the unique individual that he is. I cannot begin to tally the total hours Dave has given to the next generation of agricultural producers. He has given his time, experience and energy to many young people around the state of Montana.”

In total, Kelsey received more than a dozen nominations for the award. He was also nominated by partners at Extension offices in Yellowstone, Stillwater and Chouteau counties; Montana FFA; MSU’s Government Affairs Office; Stockman Bank; and a number of fellow agricultural producers, including Gary Broyles, a producer in Rapelje who received the Outstanding Agricultural Leader award in 2006.

“What stands out the most about Dave is that he is involved purely to make life better for others,” wrote Broyles. “He is an avid supporter of MSU and the land-grant mission.”

City Reviews Annexation

25 October 2021
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The City Annexation Committee is preparing for its annual review of the City’s Annexation Policy and Limits of Annexation Map. This process occurs annually in coordination with the City’s review of its Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The Annexation Map and Policy review process this year will run from November 2021 through approximately April 2022.

More information on the latest CIP schedule will soon be available at https:// www.ci.billings. mt.us /2662/ Capital- Improvement-Plan-CIP.

The Annexation Committee includes representation from City Administration, Fire, Police, Parks, Planning, Airport and Transit. The Committee makes recommendations to the City Council on amendments to the City’s Limits of Annexation Map, which may be viewed on-line along with the Annexation Policy. The Map was last amended in August 2021 by the City Council.

The Committee reviews requests from property owners to amend the City’s Limits of Annexation Map.

 The deadline for map amendment requests from property owners is November 19, 2021. There is a fee of $817.00 associated with Map Amendment Requests