Montana 4-H Clover
is produced by
Montana State University Agriculture and Extension Communications

and funded by
Montana 4-H Foundation.

Agriculture and Extension Communications is part of MSU Communications Services
416 Culbertson Hall Bozeman, MT 59717
publications@montana.edu
(406) 994-2721

Edited by: Karen Johnson, Marla Goodman, Suzi Taylor

Contributors: Rae Lynn Benson, Wendy Gerky, Chery Ann Weatherell, Jennifer Wells, The Livingston Enterprise, The Great Falls Tribune

What is MSU Extension?

MSU:
The Extension program is a fundamental part of Montana State University's land grant mission, developed to ensure that all Montanans benefit from the University.

Public access:
The program extends university knowledge to the people who need it, even if they never set foot on a campus. It gives every Montanan access to useful information and expert help via workshops, demonstrations, community meetings, publications, videos, the internet and other sources. Montana 4-H is MSU Extension's youth development program.

Educational outreach:
Extension links a network of MSU facultytopic specialists on the MSU-Bozeman campus and agents in 53 counties and seven reservationsto the people. Its role is to extend practical knowledge to the public about agriculture, natural resources, youth development, community development and family and consumer sciences.

Free information:
MSU Extension provides resources on topics that range from raising livestock, growing crops and protecting the environment to raising a family, managing finances, starting a business and protecting your family's health and well-being.

For everyone:
You can use Extension by calling your local agent (listed in the county section of the phone book), by taking advantage of workshops and demonstrations in your area, or by clicking on "Extension and Outreach" at www.montana.edu.

For a catalog of free and low-cost publications, call (406)994-3273 or browse the Extension catalog online.

4-H sewings skills + funky flair = wool winner

Former 4-H'er wins national wool fashion competition

photo courtesy MIYWW and the American Sheep Industry

A bolt of wool, a creative mind and a taste for competition gained Sarah Walker the title of " Miss Wool."

That' s not really her title, but a recent win in a " Make It Yourself With Wool" contest makes Walker a national ambassador for the wool industry for the next year. And just like beauty contest winners, Walker will be traveling around the country making personal appearances to promote her cause.

" I' ve worked with wool quite a few times. I think it' s a wonderful and versatile fabric," Walker said.

" They' re flying me all over the country to go to different fashion shows, sewing expos and wool trade shows, to promote wool and fashion. I' m going to be featured on a couple of fashion magazines and sewing magazines."

The contest is sponsored by the American Sheep Industry. Walker competed against 2,100 entries to win the national senior title for women ages 17 to 24.

Walker, 23, learned to sew as a child from her late mother, Judy Walker. She was active in 4-H fashion reviews when she was a teenager.
A 1997 graduate of Park High School in Livingston, she has a degree in agriculture extension from Montana State University - Bozeman. She now works as a marketing technician for the Montana Department of Agriculture in Helena.

The Make It Yourself With Wool competition required that the garment be at least 60 percent wool. The outfits were judged on use of wool, sewing skill and creativity. The contestants also had to go through personal interviews to demonstrate their abilities to serve as an ambassador for wool.

" I wanted to make something wildly different, very urban and retro," Walker said.

Walker describes her outfit as " really low-rise dress pants with side splits from the ankles up to the knees," along with a square-necked vest that laces up the front through silver eyelets. The pants and vest are a lightweight wool in a charcoal gray and she wears a " fire engine red" blouse with a split from elbows to wrists.

" I would not wear this to work. But it' s something fun and stylish. I' ve worn it to Christmas parties and out to dinner," Walker said.
The outfit took her about a month to make, working nights and weekends.
" Sarah' s garment was one of the most youthful and high-fashion I have seen in my eight years (with the contest)," said Make It Yourself With Wool coordinator Marie Lehfeldt.

Excerpted from the Livingston Enterprise

Montana 4-H Clover 2003
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The programs of the MSU Extension Service are available to all people regardless of race, creed, color, sex, disability or national origin. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, LeRoy Luft, Interim Vice Provost and Director, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.