PDF of Newsletter

 

A Letter from the Extension Agent

It’s hard to believe that I’m already planning summer activities.  Where does time go?!

During the next month, take the time to evaluate your process so far this 4-H year.  You have an opportunity before May 1st to add any 4-H projects that you still want to do or remove any that lack the time or passion to complete.  

This is also a good time to get caught up on your record book.  Its much harder to work on it during the summer while the weather is nice!

Next look through the newsletter and some of the fun opportunities coming up this spring and summer.  Information on 4-H Camp and Fair is out and there is lots more happening.  Take advantage of all that 4-H has to offer!

 

Sincerely,

Allison Kosto, Extension Agent, MSU Extension Broadwater County

 


County Contest Extravaganza 

Our County Contest again showed ‘Oh- The Places You’ll Go’ with 4-H. Thank you to all the contestants who challenged themselves and signed up. Thank you to all of the clubs for helping with the contests and organizing judges. 

 

2023 Broadwater County 4-H Fair

Believe it or not, we only have 4 months until Fair! This may seem like a long time, but it will be here before we know it! A copy of 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.  Now is the time to start planning your fair entries! Online fair entries will open in May and close July 6th.  No late entries accepted.

 

Market Swine Tagging

IMPORTANT:  All market hogs must be in your possession by April 15th.  Due to biosecurity measures, no tagging and weigh-in will be held.  It is your responsibility to get tags from the Extension Office to tag hogs by May 1st.  A Market Swine Form needs to be turned into the office by that date.  There is no limit to the number of hogs tagged, but only two hogs can be entered in the Fair and only one will sell. Every hog tagged must be assigned to a designated 4-H/FFA member. Fair entries must match the tagging form and all animals who are housed in the Livestock Building at Fair must be entered in the Fair. Tagging forms are attached to this email, available online, 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!

 

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.

 

Shiloh Rifle Raffle

Our 4-H Archery and Shotgun programs are selling tickets for the statewide Shiloh Rifle Raffle. The drawing will be held on June 18th at the Quigley Shoot in Forsyth, and you do need not be present to win. 1st prize is a $2500 gift certificate toward a Shiloh Sharps Rifle. Other prizes include a SKB over-under shotgun, a Sitka Stormfront Gore-Tex Jacket, or a Yeti cooler. There will be only 1000 tickets sold, statewide and each of our programs only have 50 to sell, so hurry! Tickets are $20 per ticket or 6 for $100. Contact Jason Noyes 406.949.4851, Todd Beatty 406.490.1361, or Daniel Truesdell 406.980.0640.

 

Multi-County 4-H Camp

Registration opens this month 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.

The camp counselor training from March has been rescheduled to a virtual meeting on Thursday, April 13th at 7:00 pm and an in-person training with Meagher County on Monday, May 1st at 6:00 pm.  Check your emails for more information.

 

Countywide 4-H Activities


Committee & Council Meetings

4-H COUNCIL: The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 25th 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 Tuesday, April 25th 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, April 12th 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 March 15th at 7:00 am at Infinite Hope Counseling (108 N Front St, Townsend). We will be discussing fundraising options and travel dates. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362.

 

4-H Animal Project Activities


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 their 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.  Watch your email for directions.  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.

 

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.

 

Beef Project

There is a Beef project meeting hosted by Kayla McDonald and Jeff Klompien on Sunday, April 16th at 1:00pm at the McDonald’s home (83 Dry Hollow Rd, Townsend). They have access to a scale if you would like to get a current weight on your animal. If you have any questions, contact Pam McDonald at 406.580.3499

 

Important Market Livestock Deadlines

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, April 1st at 5:30 pm at the Henke’s home (200 S. Railroad Ave, Townsend). 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 April 27th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office. There are also workshops planned for the third Thursdays in May through July. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Greene at 406.491.3303.  

 

Rabbit Workshop 

There is a rabbit workshop on Sunday, April 16th at 2:00 pm at the Extension Office. Bring record books and work books. We will be learning about tattoos and tattooing. No animals at this meeting.  Next month we will start going over showmanship and agility. If you have any question, please contact Danielle Douglas at 406.465.3318

 

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. April dates are the 10th and 24th 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

 

.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, April 3rd and 17th, and Group B will meet on April 12th and 26th.  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, April 15th at 2:00 pm at the Extension Office. Contact Brandon Henke at 406.980.0992 if you have any questions.

 

Shotgun Workshops

Shotgun project will be meeting Sundays in April. April 2nd, 23rd and 30th at 4:00 pm and April 16th at 3:00 pm at the Broadwater Rod and Gun Club (96 Canton Lane, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Todd Beatty at 406.490.1361 or Daniel Truesdell at 406.980.0640.

 

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!

 

Woodworking Workshops

Woodworking open shop times are scheduled for Wednesday nights in April at 5:30 pm at the Cadillac Custom Cabinets shop (6 Hunters Trail, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Harrigfeld at 406.980.0388

 

Sewing Workshops

The next workshop will be held Saturday, April 15th 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, April 24th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Extension Office.  If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Meissner at 406.521.0745.

 

Quilting Workshops

The next workshop will be held Saturday, April 15th from 1:00-3:00pm at the Extension Office. The next quilting workshop will be on April 15th.  If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Meissner at 406.521.0745.

 

Photography Workshops

The next photography workshop is scheduled for Sunday, April 30th at 1:00 pm at the Extension Office. This will be an indoor session to discuss post-processing techniques for photos, and examples on how to use computer programs to make your photos look the best they can. Please let me know if this date doesn’t work, and we’ll try to find an additional time to meet. If you have any questions, please contact Lee Nelson at 406.521.0748

 

Visual Arts

Save the date for Tuesday April 18th from 5:00-6:30pm at the Extension office. Kelsey Rose will be hosting a Horse Hair Braiding workshop at the Extension Office! Come and make something to take home with you that night!

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

 

Montana Shooting Sports Leaders Trainings

The schedule for the upcoming Shooting Sports Leaders Trainings has been finalized. Any adult interested in becoming a Shooting Sports Leader must complete training in that particular discipline. The trainings include four online training modules and an in-person training portion. Dates are as follows:

·         March 31st-April 1st  – Billings for Archery, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, and Coordinator.

·         April 21st and 22nd  – Manhattan Wildlife Association for Shotgun, Muzzle-loading, Western Heritage.

The 4-H Council can help cover registration fees for a few more adults and junior leaders to attend.  For more information, please contact the Extension Office for details 406.266.9242.

 

MontanaFair Junior Livestock Show 

The event will be August 11th-19th in Billings. Animals participating in this show must be tagged on the following dates: (Beef tagging has already passed) Swine/Sheep/Goat on Saturday, May 6th from 8:00-11:00 am. Tagging events are at the Public Auction Yard in Billings. 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.

·         Foul Weather 3D Archery Shoot- April 8th * This shoot is at the Townsend Archery Range (330 Indian Creek Rd, Townsend). Registration is day of event. See flier attached to this newsletter email!

·         State 4-H Shotgun Qualifier- April 22nd

·         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 State BB Gun Match

There is a state BB Gun Match the weekend of April 28-30th. If you would like more information, please contact the office. Registration deadline for the competition is April 10th.

 

 

Montana 4-H Congress 2023 – Save the Dates!

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 online. . 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, 2023, in Great Falls. Registration information will be out in early 2023.

 

 

The Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp

The Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp is now taking applications for July 16-21, 2023.  

For 37 years, the Montana Natural Resources Youth 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.  

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Christina Oppegard, Camp Director, at MSU Extension Forestry (406) 243-2773 [email protected].  

 

 

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.

 

 

Paint the State 

Montana Meth Project graciously extends an invitation to all Montana educators and youth organization leaders of 7th-12th graders to participate in this contest.

Registration Period: October 2022-May 2023 * Has been extended!

Art installation deadline and online photo submission is June 30, 2023. 

Students who participate in Paint the State will: 

•              Learn about the risks of Meth use and the Meth problem, the state's top drug problem.

•              Engage in authentic peer-to-peer conversation about drug use.

•              Create monument-size pieces of art that spark community dialogue and raise awareness.

•              Inspire Montanans to live vibrant drug-free lives.

•              Enter to win cash prizes up to $3,000 for the winning teams

1.            Sign-up at PaintTheState.org to express your interest in leading a student team and reserve your spot to receive a $250 stipend toward art supplies.

2.            Form your student team (or multiple teams) with a class or student group.

3.            Register your student team(s). A registration link will be emailed to you in Fall 2022 when team registration opens. A $250 Amazon gift card will be mailed to the first 250 educators who sign up and register student teams. A separate $250 gift card is available for each team you advise.

4.            Utilize the Montana Meth Prevention Lesson Video to help students understand the risk of Meth use and the Meth problem in our state.

5.            Brainstorm and concept the art piece with students and follow the tips and rules at PaintTheState.org.

6.            Create the artwork and install in a public location that will engage your community!

7.            Submit a photo of the installed artwork by June 30, 2023, for students to enter to win regional and statewide cash prizes.

 

 

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!

Please contact Christine Sommers-Austin for more information at [email protected] or (406)994-3504 for further information.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

April 16-22: National Volunteer Week

In celebration of our 4-H volunteers, we designate a week in April to recognize volunteers’ contributions in each county and community.

 

Congratulations to our Broadwater County 4-H members that participated in the Archery and .22 smallbore rifle State Shoots in March. 

In .22 Rifle we had: Cheyanne Douglas and Autumn Henke 

In 3D Archery we had: Ross MacDonald and Kaitlyn Noyes

In Target Archery we had: Ross MacDonald, Kay Crusch, Teigen Volkman, Kyla Meissner, Kaitlyn Noyes, Andrew Beatty, Caleb Crusch, Codie Skillman, Addyson Mosher, MaKenzie Truesdell and Jack Heicher.