Living in McKenzie County

About Living in McKenzie County

Welcome to "Living in McKenzie County", an original content series brought to you by the City of Watford City and McKenzie County Economic Development. In this series, join hosts Vawnita Best and Daniel Stenberg as we introduce you to those shaping our community through innovation, decision-making, and events. We'll explore the stories behind the people who are driving the growth in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States during the 2010s. McKenzie County, North Dakota, has been transformed by a revolutionary energy boom, but its roots run deep in agriculture and conservation. Today, it's a place where young families, longtime residents, and businesses can thrive, embracing the opportunities that this dynamic region has to offer.

Publisher

The City of Watford City, North Dakota

Category

education · government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Oct 2024

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

51 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Workforce Development at the Bakken Area Skills Center

   Host Vawnita Best talks with Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) leaders Diana Wilson, Julie Dragseth, and Scott Wisness about workforce development through work-based learning and career exploration. They explain how the BASC partners with 70+ local employers to give students job shadows and work placements while also teaching key soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, conflict management, and responsibility. They also preview upcoming ways for students, families, and businesses to engage, including Career Exploration Industry Day, the BASC Showcase, T4, and Healthcare Industry Day. BASC Website: https://www.basccte.com BASC Upcoming Events: https://www.basccte.com/students BASC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bakken-Area-Skills-Center-61556441432921 Golden Path: https://www.basccte.com/partners/golden-path-basc-partnership T4 Summit: https://www.t4ndsummit.org/watford-city-1 00:00 Welcome 03:17 Introductions 13:12 Work-Based Learning 17:55 Parents and Real Experience 22:36 Businesses in CWE 24:57 Soft Skills for Students 33:53 Getting Involved in CWE 38:03 Career Exploration 45:09 Career Exploration Industry Day 49:28 Upcoming Events 01:00:35 Healthcare Industry Day 01:05:25 Industry Partners

2. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Homecoming Week in Watford City!

   Host Vawnita Best marks the 50th episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast by welcoming student council co-advisor Amy Polivka and student leaders Abby Ryberg, Clara Wisness, and Kenji Son. The group previews Watford City High School's Homecoming Week and takes a look at the homecoming activities and themes. Monday, October 5 Wrong Occasion Day Tuesday, October 6 Board Game Day 10:30 am - Candidate Feud Wednesday, October 7 Neon Day Morning - Community Cleanup 1:00 pm - Boys' Volleyball 2:30 pm - Girls' Powder Puff Thursday, October 8 Minions Day 10:30 am - Pep Rally 7 pm - Homecoming Volleyball Friday, October 10 Maroon and White Day 2:30 pm - Homecoming Coronation 4 pm - Homecoming Parade 7 pm - Homecoming Football vs. Jamestown After the Game - Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, October 11 12 pm - Home JV2 Soccer vs. Bismarck 2 pm - Home JV1 Soccer vs. Bismarck Email polivka@wc-wolves.com if you are interested in having a float in the Homecoming Parade Homecoming week webpage: https://www.watford-city.k12.nd.us/homecoming 2026 Watford City High School Hall of Fame Announcement: https://youtu.be/y2ngAEXdxFE (https://youtu.be/y2ngAEXdxFE) 00:00 Welcome 03:19 Student Council 06:56 Monday 11:00 Tuesday 14:29 Wednesday 26:20 Thursday 29:26 Homecoming Volleyball Game 35:32 Friday 37:12 Hall of Fame and Food Trucks 41:44 Homecoming Themes 46:35 Parade and Coronation 53:04 Homecoming Favorites

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   4-H and the NDSU Extension Office

   In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, Vawnita Best visits with McKenzie County NDSU Extension staff Ryan Odenbach, Shantell Dukart, and Kim Neprash. They outline services residents can access through the Extension office, including 4-H enrollment and clubs, youth programming beyond livestock, and the Livestock Enhancement program with the Ag Expo. They also share upcoming Extension events in McKenzie County. McKenzie County NDSU Extension Website: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-county-offices/mckenzie-county 00:00 Welcome 01:28 Introductions 08:33 Extension Services Overview 10:25 How to Join 4-H 14:44 4-H Beyond Livestock 17:23 Livestock Enhancement Program 22:02 Enrollment Timeline and Volunteers 28:37 Ag and Natural Resources 32:50 Research Centers 34:36 Extension History in McKenzie County 41:57 Awards Banquet 49:16 Fall Extension Conference 55:23 Caregiver Tools and Real Colors 01:01:09 Range Judging and Pesticide Certification 01:06:24 Closing

Who has been a guest on Living in McKenzie County

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Gretchen Stenehjem
• Lynn Welker-Fevold
• Dr Richard Howard
• Dr Chad Pedersen
• Dr Goodnight

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

53

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Living in McKenzie County

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Living in McKenzie County