PDF of Newsletter

 

A Letter from the Extension Agent
 

This month, I’d like to recognize and congratulate our five graduating seniors!  Codie Skillman is a 10 year member of the Radersburg Rattlers 4-H Club, graduating from Broadwater High School. Graduating from their homeschool programs are Christina Pavao, a 7 year member of the Winston Eager Beavers 4-H Club and Jeffry Klompien, a 3 year member of the Rocky Mountain Rough Hands 4-H Club.  Three Forks High School graduates and members of the Crow Creek Clovers 4-H Club are Dylan Kamps, a 10 year 4-H member, and Colton Merritt, a 7 year 4-H member.  Congratulations!  We wish you the very best in your future endeavors! It has been my pleasure to work with you in the 4-H program and watch you grow into young leaders. I have no doubt you will go far in whatever you decide to do! Once again, congratulations! 

Sincerely, Allison Kosto - Extension Agent, MSU Extension Broadwater County

 

Market Swine Tagging

IMPORTANT:  All market hogs must be tagged and identification forms turned into the office by May 1st.  Tagging forms are attached to this email, available on our Broadwater county 4-H website or can be submitted via google form. Contact the Extension Office or Hugh Braaten at 406.439.8873 if you have any questions.

 

Project Add/Drop Deadline

Don’t forget to add or drop projects by May 1st! You can do this online through Zsuites or through the Extension Office. Project meeting and workshop information is only sent out to the members who are currently enrolled in a project. Make sure that your project list in Zsuites is accurate so that you don’t miss out on any information!

 

Multi-County 4-H Camp

Registration is open for 4-H Camp on June 6-9 near Monarch. Registration will be done via ZSuites.  4-H members in grades 3-6 are eligible for camp.  We have many fun, interactive activities planned to challenge you and help you learn as an individual. The registration fee for Broadwater County 4-H campers is $60 and counselors are $40, thanks to a contribution from the 4-H Council.  Campers, counselors and chaperones must register online by May 12th as well as submit payment and medical forms to the office. We also still need a chaperone from our county to attend camp.  Contact the office if you are interested.

 

Market Lambs and Meat Goats

IMPORTANT:  All Market Lambs and Meat Goats must be in your possession by May 15th.  There will be a Mandatory Sheep/Goat Weigh-In and Tagging on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:00 pm at Galor Genetics (8393 US HWY 287, Townsend).  All market lambs and goats must attend the tagging.  If you cannot attend, then you must make arrangements for someone else to bring your animal.  No exceptions.  Breeding animals are welcomed to get weighed but are not required to attend.  Also please be prepared to share information about your animal including breed, breeder and date of birth.  If you have any questions, contact the Extension Office, Ashley Greene at 406.491.3303 or Tancy McDaniel at 406.980.0456.

 

Fair T-shirts

Club leaders are in the process of collecting 4-H members t-shirt sizes. T-shirts are provided for all members through a donation from AgWest.  If a non-member (parent, leader, younger sibling, etc.) would like to purchase a shirt, please contact the office. Shirts are $20 each. Orders need to be in and paid for by May 22nd.

 

New 4-H Club Needed

Did you know that the Townsend area clubs are mostly full?!  We have a growing thriving 4-H program and need your help to continue to grow!  We are looking for parents or leaders who are interested in starting a 4-H Club.  Starting a 4-H Club is a process, but it is a worthwhile effort knowing that you can truly make a difference in the lives of youth. As a club leader, you can grow the enthusiasm for 4-H and create a positive youth development environment. You can help shape the club into its own style and personality to fit your members.  The Extension Office and current clubs are dedicated to help you succeed in any way.  Contact the Extension Office if you are interested or want more information!


2023 Broadwater County 4-H Fair

Believe it or not, we only have 3 months until Fair! This may seem like a long time, but it will be here before we know it! The Fair Book is attached to this newsletter email. It can also be found here. In the Fair Book, you will find the Fair schedule, classes, rules and entry instructions.  Online fair entries will open in May and close July 6th.  No late entries accepted. Instructions on how to enter are on page 4 of the Fair Book.

 
Teen Club Cancer Patient Comfort Packs Drive

The Teen Club is doing a service project to collect items for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The drive will end at 5:00pm on May 15th. Please have all items delivered to the Extension Office by then. The winning club will be treated to a Root Beer Float party from the Teen Club. Please see the attached flyer for details on items needed.

 

Countywide 4-H Activities

 

Committee & Council Meetings

4-H COUNCIL: The next meeting will be Monday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items. Agenda items must be submitted by noon the Friday prior to the meeting.

INDOOR COMMITTEE: The next meeting will be Monday, May 22nd at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items. Agenda items must be submitted by noon the Friday prior to the meeting.

LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE:  The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jason Noyes at 406.949.4851. Agenda items must be submitted by noon the Friday prior to the meeting.

HORSE COMMITTEE:  The next meeting has not been set yet. If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jan Finn at 406.266.4992 or [email protected]. Agenda items must be submitted by the Monday prior to the meeting.

TEEN CLUB: The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 17th at 4:00 pm at the Extension Office. Teen Club is open to all Middle or High School aged members. If you are not currently in Teen Club, but want to find out what it is about, please come to this meeting! Please RSVP to Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852.

INTERSTATE EXCHANGE CLUB: The Interstate Exchange club will be meeting on Wednesday May 10th at 7:00 am at Infinite Hope Counseling (108 N Front St, Townsend).. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362.

 

4-H Animal Project Activities

 

Market Rabbit & Poultry

If you plan to take market pens of poultry or rabbits to the Fair, they must be in your possession by June 25th and you are required to complete and turn in an identification form, due June 26th. Since there is no official tagging for these animals, we use a form. The form is included in this newsletter email and an online google form is available.  This form is not needed for pet rabbits or poultry, laying hens or breeding projects.  It is only necessary if you plan to take a market project to Fair and sell it through the livestock auction.

 

Market Livestock Activity Requirements 

To show and sell market livestock (including poultry and rabbits) at the Fair all 4-H members must complete seven (7) “activity points” for each market project by the Fair entry deadline. There was a major change this year that sets a limit on the number of activities that senior members (ages 14-18) can complete from their project book.  Senior members are now limited to a maximum of three activities from the book.  So if you are a senior member, then you need to plan ahead to make sure you have enough points!  The updated form is attached to this email.

Junior members (ages 8-13) can complete all seven activities from the project book or choose from a variety of other options. Both juniors and seniors can also do other activities such as attending a workshop, livestock judging, outside shows, helping a younger member or organizing a workshop. Details are on the form. The activities must be fully completed, dated and signed off by your helper. For each of these items, you should write a paragraph about what you learned in that educational experience. Please use the form to document your points. The form, books and documentation must be turned into the office by the fair entry deadline, July 6th.    No other books are due at this time.

 
4-H Market Livestock Insurance

NEW this year, the 4-H Livestock Committee will be providing insurance for all 4-H market animals during Fair.  This insurance covers all market animals including sale animals, feeders and buddy animals in transit to Fair and while animals are on the grounds for death or crippling.  It also covers animals going to processors until slaughter but does not cover animals going home after they leave the grounds.  It also does not cover any breeding, dairy or pet animals.  The insurance covers market value of the animal which will be compensated to the exhibitor prior to the sale or for non-sale animals or to the buyer after the sale.
 The cost of the insurance is still in negotiation but is estimated at $25 per animal.  This fee will be deducted from sale checks after Fair.  If you would like to provide insurance for your animal prior to Fair, there are several insurance companies that will provide this coverage for you.

 
Livestock Quality Assurance

All 4-H members who plan to enter market livestock (beef, sheep, swine, goat, rabbit or poultry) and breeding projects in the Fair are REQUIRED to take livestock quality assurance (QA) every other year in order to participate. There will be two in-county training opportunities this year:

·         Advanced QA – Sunday, April 30 at 2:00 pm.  This workshop will take place at Hidden Hollow Ranch’s feedlot off of Flynn Lane.  Directions have been emailed.  This session is geared towards senior level members (ages 14-18).

·         General QA – Tuesday, June 20th at 6:30 pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds.  This session is geared towards all members.

Contact the Extension Office with any questions or to see if it is your year to take the class.  If you cannot make a session provided, contact the office for options.

 

Important Market Livestock Deadlines
Beef: Posession December 31st, 2022- Tagging and Weigh In (in person event) December 31st, 2022
Swine: Posession April 15th, 2023 - ID Forms w/ Tag #s (turned in to office) May 1st, 2023
Lambs & Goats: Posession May 15th, 2023 - Tagging and Weigh In (in person event) May 16th, 2023
Poultry & Rabbits: Posession June 25th, 2023 - Identification Form (turned in to office) June 26th, 2023

 

Dairy Goat Workshops

There will be a meeting on Saturday, May 6th at 5:30 pm at the Extension Office. The monthly meetings will be on the first Saturday of each month at 5:30 pm. Meeting places will vary and will be announced before each meeting. Meat Goat members are also welcome! There are many subjects planned to be covered this year including: barn setup, shots, worming, eating habits, milking, disbudding, imprinting, milk products, testing, diseases, and showmanship. If any member would like to give a demonstration at a meeting, this can be scheduled. If you have any questions, please contact Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995.

 

Sheep Workshops

The next sheep workshop is scheduled for Thursday May 18th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office. There are also workshops planned for the third Thursdays in June and July. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Greene at 406.491.3303.  

 

Horse Project

Horse Identification Form and Vaccination Records: 

Members are required to complete a Horse Identification Form for every horse that you are using for a 4-H Horse project. It is attached to the newsletter email. The Horse ID form is due to the Extension Office on May 1st.  Also included with the ID form is the vaccination form.  It is due by the first riding practice or May 1st, whichever is first.  Make it easy on yourself and turn both in at the same time!  If you need to change horses after May 1st, then you need to submit a new ID form along with a statement (written or electronic) of why you are changing horses.

 
Riding Workshops

Save the dates for riding practices! Riding practices will be on Monday nights. There will be two riding nights in each April and May, and then will start weekly riding in June. May dates are the 8th and 22nd at 6:00pm. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either Jann Finn at 406.266.4992 or Donna Richards at 406.521.0717

 

4-H Non-Animal Project Activities


FAIR! Indoor Auction Reminder

For those in Indoor Projects this year, don’t forget that you can sell up to two items at the indoor silent auction at the fair. Start planning now! Examples of sellable indoor project items include woodworking, framed photos, quilts, leathercraft, sewing and visual arts. For more information, visit the Silent Auction webpage of our Broadwater County 4-H website.

 
.22 Rifle Workshops

The .22 rifle project meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday and 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.  Group A will meet on Monday, May 1st and 15th, and Group B will meet on May 11th and 25th.  Both groups meet at the Canton Range (96 Canton Lane, Townsend) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., until May 25th.  Contact John Pavao at (406) 422-9590 if you have any questions or if you are interested in becoming a leader or just volunteering.

 

Hunting and Wildlife Workshops

Did you know that there is a Hunting and Wildlife Shooting Sports project? This project includes sections on firearm and bow safety, but also focuses on conservation, wildlife habitats, tracking and outdoor survival. We have a newly certified leader in our county! Workshops will be held every 3rd Saturday from January to June. The next meeting will be Saturday, May 20th at 2:00 pm at the Extension Office. Contact Brandon Henke at 406.980.0992 if you have any questions.

 

Sport Fishing Project- COMING SOON!

We will have a leader for Sport Fishing soon! Watch for announcements of upcoming meetings and workshops. If you are interested in this project, get it added soon so that you will be on our email list to send out updates!

 

Sewing Workshops

The next workshop will be held Saturday, May 13th at 9:30 am. Sewing workshops are generally held the second Saturday of the month at the Extension Office. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Holland at 406.266.3473

 

Embroidery Workshops

The next workshop is scheduled for Monday, May 1st from 6:30-8:00pm at the Extension Office back room.  If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Meissner at 406.521.0745.

 

Scrapbooking

There are two scrapbooking workshops scheduled for May. These will be held on Monday, May 15th and Tuesday, May 30th. Workshops will be at 6:30pm in the backroom of the Extension Office. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852.

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

 

MontanaFair Junior Livestock Show 

The event will be August 11th-19th in Billings. Tagging for swine, sheep and goat will be held on Saturday, May 6th from 8:00-11:00 am at the Public Auction Yard in Billings.  Beef tagging has already passed.  For more information, contact the Extension Office.

 

Statewide Shooting Sports Matches

There are several shooting sports matches scheduled during the next few months. Some are in-person events and others are postal matches. Visit the Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Event page for information, registration materials and instructions, dates and deadlines! For additional information on any particular event, please contact the office.

·         Lewis and Clark County Shotgun event- April 29th *Flier attached to this email.

·         Montana 4-H Archery National Qualifier - May 7th

·         Carbon County 4-H Archery 3D Shoot – June 25th

 

Montana 4-H Congress 2023 – Save the Dates!

Montana 4-H Congress is a high energy event for 4-H teens across the state of Montana and takes place on the MSU campus.  There are fun interactive workshops and leadership activities.  You have the option to participate in statewide contests if you want, but it is not required. Congress is scheduled for July 11th-14th on campus at MSU Bozeman. Registration opens on May 1st and closes on June 15th. Pre-Congress will be July 9th-11th. Watch for more information as it becomes available!

 

Montana 4-H State Award for Youth

The Montana 4-H State Awards program is in place to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of 4-H members who have reached a standard of excellence in a project area. State Award winners have gone above and beyond regular project work with a focus on leadership, communication, and community service.

State Award recipients are recognized during the Banquet at Montana 4-H Congress in July and are eligible to attend National 4-H Congress in November.

Applications and more information can be found MSU website.. State award applications are due May 1st.

 

Other Opportunities

 

Montana Small Pork Producers Conference

This is an opportunity for pork producers, 4-H members, FFA members and others to come together to learn about swine genetics, pork production, herd health and pork recipes. This year’s conference will be held April 29th in Great Falls.

 

The Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp

The Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp is taking applications for camp on July 16-21.  The camp has provided youth an opportunity to study in an outdoor classroom. Today's scientific principles, economic realities, historical heritage, and social perspectives help these future leaders in their quest to gain natural resources perspective that is informed and progressive. Campers learn about forests, streams, soils, geology, rangeland, wildlife, and recreation and spend half-day rafting the Clark Fork River's Alberton Gorge. In between the field sessions, professionals who volunteer from various natural resources-based agencies and industries, specialty evening programs, guest speakers, and hands-on learning through discovery and campfires provide for a lasting summer camp experience.

More information about the camp can be found on the MSU Forestry website.. 

There are many scholarship opportunities available to cover camp fees and/or transportation costs.  

 

Montana Farmers Union Summer Camps

Montana Farmers Union is cultivating the next generation of leaders one unforgettable summer at a time! For more information on their 2023 Stellar Sights camps visit the Montana Farmers Union website. . There are camps for different age groups from 7-9 up to 13-17. Registration opens April 18th.

 

International 4-H Youth Hosting Opportunity

Explore, Dream, Discover - Host a Delegate from Norway or Japan!

Montana families have the opportunity to host the following 4-H youth:

·         2 Norwegian Delegates for approximately 4 weeks, arrive end of June 2023

·         13 Japanese Delegates for approximately 4 weeks, arrive mid-July 2023

·         2 Japanese Delegates for the Academic Year Program (AYP), arrive mid/late August 2023 through early June 2024

Experience cultural exchanges firsthand and broaden your global experience!

 Apply to host today!  Contact Christine Sommers-Austin for more information at [email protected] or (406)994-3504 for further information.