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Lemhi
County Extension Office Mission
To
provide the citizens of Lemhi County unbiased,
research based information so they can make the best
decisions possible regarding their situation.
Lemhi County is
abundant with agriculture and natural resources. It
faces many challenges in regard to competitive
agriculture, noxious weeds, and natural resources.
Most of the county is public land. Lemhi county
citizens are independent; community oriented and
values the resources of the county. Citizens work to
comply with decisions made outside of the county,
without compromising their culture, heritage and
way-of-life.
Lemhi County is
“geographically challenged” from the rest of the
state. It is located in central Idaho on the east side
of the state. It is bordered by Montana on the north
and east, Idaho and Valley counties on the west and
Custer, Butte, and Clark counties on the south. Lemhi
County is 2,931,136 acres or 4,564 square miles.
Currently, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land
Management and State of Idaho manage 92% of the land.
The Salmon River and Lemhi River flow through Lemhi
County. Three state highways are the major routes
into the county. It is 161 miles to Idaho Falls,
Idaho, 127 miles to Missoula, Montana, 248 to Twin
Falls, Idaho and 364 miles to Moscow, Idaho.
The
population of Lemhi County is 7,806. Salmon is the
county seat and is the largest community with a
population of 3,393 people. The only other
incorporated city is Leadore, 45 miles south of
Salmon. May, Lemhi, Tendoy, Baker, North Fork, Shoup,
Gibbonsville and Elk Bend are the other communities in
the county.
Agriculture is the cornerstone industry in Lemhi
County with an average ranch size of 573 acres. The
top agriculture product in Lemhi County is beef cattle
with 28,690 head. Other livestock production areas
include 307 dairy cows; 2,655 sheep, and 1,200+
goats. Most forage crops are utilized on the ranch
and sold locally. Irrigated crop ground produces an
average of 3.2 tons per acres of grass and some
alfalfa hay; barley is 60 bushels to the acre; and
oats are 80 bushels to the acre. Over 90% of the
harvested acreage produces a forage crop and then
aftermath pasture. Of the land in agriculture, 57% is
harvested crop land and the remaining 43% is utilized
for pasture. Frost-free growing days range from 145
days at Shoup to 90 days at Leadore.
One full
time extension educator, a secretary, 4-H assistant,
and 10% time extension nutrition advisor staff the
Lemhi County Extension office. Office space is shared
with Water District 74, Salmon Television District and
Lemhi County Weed Control. The Extension office is
the major clearinghouse for agriculture and 4-H
information. It also maintains the mailing lists and
records for the Lemhi County Fair Board, Lemhi County
Wool and Lamb Pool, and Lemhi County Cattle and Horse
Growers Association.
Extension Office at
the Historic Brooklyn School
The Brooklyn School is a
landmark in Salmon. Built in 1911, the building has
housed the elementary and middle school until 2006.
The building was purchased by the County to house the
extension office, county commissioners, juvenile
probation, adult probation, the county building
department, urban land wildlife interface and
emergency medical services. The building will not only
house these offices but several conference rooms and
historical items from the county museum.
Up
Coming Events
May 14:
Builders Club Meeting, Conference Room, 7 PM
May 21:
4th of July Creek Educational Workshop (see Ag link)
May 28:
4-H Advisory Council Meeting & Jr. Livestock Meeting
May 23:
Jr. Livestock Swine Weigh-in, Salmon
May 26:
Jr. Livestock Swine Weigh-in, Leadore & Pahsimeroi
June
2-6: 4-H Project Camp
June 10
- 13: Grazing Academy
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