Clover Articles

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.

Forestry--6010
Objectives:
• Create an awareness and appreciation of the forest and the environment
• Recognize woody deciduous and conifer plants common to Montana
• Recognize full coloration of woody plants and utilize them in a creative, artistic way
• Become aware of some forest management practices
• Learn to identify and use some of the tools needed in forest management
• Become familiar with the variety of products that come from the forest
Montana is rich with forest lands. In this project, you will learn about Montana forest resources, management practices, and ways to identify trees common to the state. You should continue this project until at least 10 sections are completed. Requirements for one year are to complete a minimum of three sections, fill out your records and make a fair exhibit.
MATERIALS
M Montana 4-H Forestry Project, 2B1346
S Developing a Nature Trail, 5189
S Find a Big Tree, 5190

Independent Study--6099

Audio/Visual Support Materials
AV Teaching Natural Resources (VI0238A87)
AV Let's Keep America the Beautiful (SL0068A78)
AV How to Identify Trees (SA0147A00)
AV How Trees Reproduce (SA0148A00)
AV 4-H Forestry: An Action Program (SL0079A00)

Entomology
Have you ever chased butterflies or caught ladybugs to get a closer look at them? If so, you've been attracted to the largest group of animals on earth-insects! This 4-H entomology project may be just for you. You can watch and learn about insects almost anywhere. And you can especially learn more about insects in 4-H. Your entomology project leader will help you make learning fun and exciting. Your helper may be a parent, project leader or advisor, neighbor or an older friend who enjoys insects. The 4-H Insectaganza of Excitement will help you learn more about the world of insects and you'll have fun while doing it. You'll need to keep your 4-H records up-to-date in this project like you do in all your 4-H projects. You must complete a minimum of 7 activities each year and you must complete a total of 21 of the required and optional activities within 3 years to complete each level.

Entomology, Level 1 -- 6110
In this level, you will be introduced to the wonderful world of insects. You'll learn about insects, their behavior, and their life history. But what you learn depends on you. In this level you'll learn about the parts of insects, you'll learn about different ways of collecting insects, you'll observe their behavior and differences, you'll learn how insects communicate, how they see, about their habits, how to control insects, and how insects move. This level may take up to three years to complete. You must complete a minimum of 7 activities and participate in two entomology project leadership experiences each year (such as giving a demonstration, participating in a judging activity, taking a tour, exhibiting your project, or attending a workshop).
MATERIALS
M Creepy Crawlies, BU6853
M Cut-out labels for insect collections, 2FM227
M Blank entomology labels, 2FM228
S Collecting, Mounting and Displaying Insects in 4-H, 5282
L Entomology Group Helper's Guide, BU6856

Entomology, Level 2 -- 6120
What's Bugging You?" offers you new challenges and opportunities to explore a wide range of activities related to entomology. You'll have fun learning about pinning and labeling, learning how insects use color to communicate, about careers in entomology, how to assemble proper collecting equipment, understand what insects eat, how they develop and grow, how to collect insects at night, locating places where insects can be found, how to build an extractor and a separator, learning how to read insect control labels and much more. You'll need to complete a minimum of 7 activities and participate in at least three leadership experiences (such as giving a demonstration, participating in a judging activity, taking a tour, exhibiting your project, or attending a workshop) each year to complete this project. The project may take as long as 3 years to complete.
MATERIALS
M What's Bugging You?--BU6854
M Cut-out labels for insect collections, 2FM227
M Blank entomology labels, 2FM228
S Collecting, Mounting and Displaying Insects in 4-H, 5282
L Entomology Group Helper's Guide, BU6856

Entomology, Level 3 -- 6130
The activities in this level will challenge you to explore areas of the project you haven't experienced before. You may need additional resources to complete some of the activities. In this level, you'll learn how to raise mealworms with different amounts of food, observe a colony of ants, manipulate bee behavior, organize an insect club, make an identification key that others can use, learn how insects detect different odors, plant a butterfly garden, raise mosquitoes in a rearing chamber and observe them, find and prepare a spider's web for display and much more! Remember, you must complete a minimum of seven activities and two leadership experiences each year (such as giving a demonstration, participating in a judging activity, taking a tour, exhibiting your project, or attending a workshop). This project may take as many as three years to complete.
MATERIALS
M Dragons, Houses, and Other Flies, BU6855
M Cut-out labels for insect collections, 2FM227
M Blank entomology labels, 2FM228
S Collecting, Mounting and Displaying Insects in 4-H, 5282
L Entomology Group Helper's Guide, BU6856

Independent Study--6199

Audio/Visual Support Materials
AV Collecting Bugs & Pinning and Mounting Insects (VI0633A94)
AV Exploring the Curious World of Insects (SA0113A00)

Shooting Sports
You will learn how to shoot firearms or archery equipment, with emphasis on safety. There will be plenty of opportunity for practice under the watchful eye of trained leaders. Shooting Sports project areas include:
Pistol -- 6210
Rifle -- 6220
Archery -- 6230
Shotgun -- 6240
Muzzleloading -- 6250
Hunting -- 6260

You may enroll in any area in which the following guidelines are met:
• Your project leader must have received 4-H shooting sports leader training in that area.
• Your parents or guardian must give written permission for you to enroll.
• Your parents, guardian or other responsible adult are willing to go with you to project meetings if the project leader requests it.
• Your county MSU Extension agent will determine that your size and strength are adequate to safely handle the necessary equipment.
MATERIALS
M 4-H Shooting Sports Member's Manual, 5196
L 4-H Shooting Sports Leader's Manual (Issued only at Shooting Sports Leaders Training Workshops)

Independent Study -- 6299

Audio/Visual Support Materials
AV Ten Rules of Hunter Safety (SA0150A00)
AV Rifle Shooting Fundamentals & Shotgun Shooting (VI0241A00)
AV The Kid Who Can't Miss & Pistol Shooting Fundamentals (VI0490A00)

Wildlife
The wildlife project offers you the opportunity to learn about one of Montana's greatest natural resources--wildlife. Montana wildlife are one of our state's biggest attractions. Through your work in this project, you'll learn how to identify a variety of Montana wildlife. You'll also learn about wildlife behavior, habitat requirements, how wildlife species fit into nature's scheme, how they are managed and how they relate to humans. You can also learn how to develop a nature trail and about the importance of forests to wildlife species. The wildlife project takes a hands-on approach which requires you to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation. Each project is designed to provide at least two years of self-directed work from learning how to work with local wildlife managers to putting together exhibits to developing a management plan. You may work for as many years as you want in each area but you are encouraged to learn as much as possible about Montana's diverse and numerous wildlife species.
Furbearers of Montana -- 6310
Montana Non-Game Animals -- 6320
Montana Big Game Animals -- 6330
Owls of Montana -- 6340
Montana's Birds of Prey -- 6350
Montana's Upland Game Birds -- 6360
Waterfowl -- 6370

MATERIALS
M Furbearers of Montana, 5257
M Montana Non-Game Animals, 5216
M Montana Big Game Animals, 5217
M Owls of Montana, 5232
M Montana's Birds of Prey, 5233
M Montana's Upland Game Birds, 5234
M Waterfowl, 5235
M Wildlife Habitat Judging Manual, 5265
M Woodland Wildlife, 5305
L Outdoor Activities, 5272
L Water Quality, 5304
S Developing a Nature Trail, 5189
S Find a Big Tree, 5190
S Wildlife Identification Pocket Guide, 4385

Independent Study -- 6399

Audio/Visual Support Materials
AV Elk Calling (VI0237A86)
AV Birds of Prey of Montana (VI0236A00)
AV Man and Wildlife (SA0109A00)
AV The Un-Endangered Species (SA0105A84)
AV What They Say About Hunting (SA0107A00)
AV Wildlife and Its Environment (SA0108A00)
AV Wildlife for Tomorrow (SA0106A00)
AV 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Contest-Leaders (VI0631A94)
AV 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Contest-Members (VI0632A94)

Range Science Management

Introduction to Range Management -- 6401
If you're 9 - 10 years old and want to explore the concepts of range management, this project is for you! You will learn about rangeland as an important natural resource. You will also progress from basic ecological concepts through plant anatomy. Activities in this level should be supplemented with field trips, project tours, camp programs and other activities described in the leaders' manual. This project is an ideal one for you and your parents to learn and work together.
MATERIALS
M Western 4-H Range Project, Member's Manual, 5218
L Western 4-H Range Project, Leaders' Manual, 5219

Range, Level 1 -- 6410
You will learn what constitutes range; why range is important; soil, water and plant relationship; plant anatomy; and kinds of range plants. In doing this, you will develop a "Plant Anatomy Reference Book."
MATERIALS
M Youth Range Manual, Level 1, 2B1278
L 4-H Youth Range Manual: Leader's Handbook, 2B1352

Range, Level 2 -- 6420
You will begin a plant collection, including grasses, grass-like plants, forbs and shrubs. You will make a plant press, learn to identify and mount plants and additional anatomy.
MATERIALS
M Youth Range Manual, Level 2, 2B1308
M Montana Range Plant Labels, 2FM203

Range, Level 3 -- 6430
You will increase your plant collection and learn advanced management principles: soil texture and its effect on plant growth, range site identification and condition, and overgrazing effects.
MATERIALS
M Youth Range Manual, Level 3, 2B1325
M Montana Range Plant Labels, 2FM203

Range, Level 4 -- 6440
You will learn to identify range sites, understand range condition and how overgrazing affects plants. You will develop a ranch plan applying the range management principles you have learned through the four years of range management.
MATERIALS
M Youth Range Manual, Level 4, EB3

Range, Level 5 -- 6450
You will conduct activities that will apply the knowledge gained in Levels 1-4, which include improving rangeland management or improving the public's understanding of range management. Level 5 should be a self-determined range project which expands knowledge beyond the other levels.
MATERIALS
M Youth Range Manual, Level 5, EB28

Independent Study -- 6499

Sport Fishing
Join Montana 4-H's newest project--Sport Fishing. This is a project that was made for Montana. After all, a river runs through it! In this project, you'll soon discover that this project is more than just fishing. You will learn how to make your own fishing tackle, experience the world of aquatic ecology and explore the relationship between fish, people and the environment. You'll also learn about casting methods, how to decide on the proper tackle and much more. This project will be both fun and exciting, even if you've fished before.

Sport Fishing, Level 1--6910
Let the adventure begin! In this level, you will learn about tackle, different casting methods, how your actions affect the fishing environment, and all about fishing skills. To complete this level, you will need to complete a minimum of 6 activities in the "Take the Bait" achievement program. You must also participate in three additional learning activities, such as giving a demonstration, exhibiting at the fair, visiting a tackle shop or other activities to expand your knowledge.
Materials
M Take the Bait, BU7598
L Sport Fishing Helper's Guide, BU7601

Sport Fishing, Level 2--6920
After you have completed the activities in Level 1, you are ready for "Reel in the Fun." In this level, the activities are more challenging. You'll expand your horizons and learn even more about fishing, aquatic ecology, knot tying, different types of casting methods, the different characteristics of fish, learn how to prepare a fish meal for your family, understand the importance of fishing regulations, and much more. To complete this project, you must do a minimum of 6 activities in the manual as well as participate in at least 3 additional learning experiences, such as giving a demonstration, exhibiting at the fair, visiting a tackle shop or other activities to expand your knowledge.
Materials
M Reel in the Fun, BU 7599
L Sport Fishing Helper's Guide, BU7601

Sport Fishing, Level 3--6930
In this level, you will build on the skills you have learned in the previous two levels. In this project, you will go fishing (of course) but you will also learn how to determine the age of fish, disassemble and reassemble a fishing reel, make artificial lures and flies, modify fishing equipment, design and craft a lure, and collect and identify aquatic insects. To complete this project, you must do a minimum of 6 activities in the manual as well as participate in at least 3 additional learning experiences, such as giving a demonstration, exhibiting at the fair, visiting a tackle shop or other activities to expand your knowledge.
Materials
M Cast Into the Future, BU7600
L Sport Fishing Helper's Guide, BU7601

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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.