PDF of Newsletter

 

A Letter from the Extension Agent


We have a growing thriving 4-H program and need your help to continue to grow!  I am very grateful to Daniel & Brandi Truesdell for doing double duty and reviving the Elkhorn Clovers 4-H Club.  They are doing an excellent job and leaving it in a good position for a new parent leader(s) to take over. It brings temporary relief to our growth that is near capacity in the Townsend area.  The Elkhorn Clovers is currently the only club with openings in Townsend.

I am looking for parents or leaders who are interested in starting a NEW 4-H Club.  As a club leader, you can grow the enthusiasm for 4-H and create an environment for positive youth development. You can help shape the club into its own style and personality to fit its members.  The office, 4-H Council and clubs are dedicated to help you succeed. A position description of a club leader is available.  Contact me if you are interested or want more information!

Sincerely, Allison Kosto Extension Agent, MSU Extension Broadwater County

 

County Contest Extravaganza 

County 4-H Contests are scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, March 12.  The exact schedule will be determined after entries are received.  This event is a fun way for you to share your knowledge, learn new skills and be recognized for your hard work.  Contests are related to communications, cooking and sewing or quilting.  You don’t have to be enrolled in a certain project to participate.  Senior members (13-18 years old) can earn a trip to compete at Montana 4-H Congress.  See page 4 for a list of county contests and descriptions so you can start preparing your entry.  The contest booklet is also attached with the newsletter email.  Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 22nd.

 

4-H Project Award Checklist – UPDATED FORM

Did you know 4-H members can earn awards in their projects at the end of the 4-H year?!  It’s true!  The system was created to reward members who go above and beyond in their 4-H projects, and recently went through an update. 

4-H members have the opportunity to earn certificates or discs in each project area.   Along with their disc, first year 4-H members receive a Broadwater County 4-H plague indicating successful completion of the 4-H year. 

To earn a certificate in a project, 4-H members must complete their 4-H record sheets for that project.  To earn a disc, members must complete their record book along with several electives, depending on number of years in the project.  A checklist with the electives is attached with the newsletter email.  Start planning early to make sure you have enough electives.

The 4-H story has also historically been a requirement for 4-H project awards but has been removed as a requirement.  The 4-H story will remain as a piece of the record book, and annual awards will still be given for top stories. However, it is no longer required for project awards.  Clear as mud?!  Contact the Extension Office if you have ANY questions.

 
4-H Volunteer Institute

Registration is now open for this event on February 17-19 in Billings. It is open to all adults 4-H volunteers. Registration is $75, and the Broadwater County 4-H Council will cover your registration to attend (reimbursed after the event)!  Lodging is on your own. The institute is a great opportunity to learn from other volunteers and Extension agents, network and celebrate the accomplishment of volunteers across Montana. More information and the registration link can be found Montana 4-H events page..  Registration is due February 3.

 

Multi-County 4-H Camp

Save the date for June 6-9 for 4-H Camp near Monarch. Camp counselors have been selected!  Check your email if you applied. Counselors are highly encouraged to attend the training on Saturday, March 11th from 10am-2pm in Harlowton.  Participation is highly recommended.  If you don’t come, you miss being part of the decision making process for the theme, groups and workshop ideas.  Please let Allison know if you plan to attend.

 

Broadwater County 4-H Leaders Council Scholarship

The 4-H Council is offering scholarships to graduating seniors, up to $700. Applicants must have been active in 4-H for all four years of high school, enrolled and completed at least two projects during each year of high school, and demonstrated 4-H leadership skills. Record books must be submitted, along with the application, by April 1st to the Extension Office. Applications are attached to this email or can be picked up at the Extension Office. 

 

4-H Fruit Sales Fundraiser

Crow Creek, Elkhorn, Interstate Exchange, Old Baldy, Radersburg and Winston will all be selling fruit as a fundraiser this year! Check with your club leader to see your club’s status.  Order forms will be available soon and are due to your club leader around the third week of February.  If you are interested in ordering and your club is not selling, please contact Ashley Greene at 406.491.3303, Daniel Truesdell at 406.980.0640, Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362, Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995 or Mara MacDonald at 406.461.6914

 

Fair Logo Design Contest!

It’s time to get creative! We are looking for the design for our 2023 Fair Logo. This year, the winning logo will be used not only for the Fair T-Shirts, but also for the Fair book! This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating 60 Years of Tradition’ so get those artistic and creative hats on and show us your talents! Designs are due to the Extension Office by 5:00 on Tuesday February 28th! They can be submitted as a digital or hand drawn entry.

 

The Extension Office will be closed Monday February 20th for Presidents Day
 

Countywide 4-H Activities


Committee & Council Meetings

4-H COUNCIL: The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 28th 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, February 28th 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 Monday, February 6th at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). The committee will be doing a short training followed by reviewing Fairbook changes.  Fairbook changes for animal projects need to be submitted to the office by January 31st.  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 will be Wednesday, February 8th at 4:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). We will be reviewing the Fairbook.  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, February 22nd at 4:00 pm at the Extension Office. We will be planning our next service project. 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 February 22nd 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

 

Market Livestock Activity Requirements – UPDATED FORM

The Livestock Committee recently updated the market livestock activity requirements.  The new form is attached with the newsletter email.  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. 

One option is to complete 7 activities in your 4-H Project book.  One major change to the requirements is that there is now a limit on the number of project book activities that a senior member (ages 14-18) can do. They are limited to three book activities.  However, junior members (ages 8-13) can still do all seven activities from the book.  There are still many other options!  You may also choose other activities such as attending a workshop, livestock judging, outside shows, helping a younger member or organizing a workshop.  For each of these items, you should write a paragraph about what you learned during the educational experience.  These educational experiences can be in-person or virtual but must pertain directly to your 4-H project. 

The form, books and documentation must be turned into the office by the fair entry deadline.

 

Beef Project

There is a Beef project (market and breeding) meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 5th from 1:00-3:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Please bring your 4-H record books, notebook/paper and pencil. This meeting will feature a beef trivia game with prizes and snacks! We will also be discussing upcoming workshops, buyers Thank you’s and marketing your animals.  There are also workshops planned for March 5th and April 2nd (times and locations TBD).  If you have any questions, contact Samantha Ferrat at 406.949.0869 or John Ferrat at 406.949.7911.

 

Dairy Goat Workshops

There will be a meeting on Saturday, February 4th 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.

 

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) Exact date TBD (Mid/end of May)
Poultry & Rabbits
Posession June 25th, 2023
Identification Form (turned in to office) June 26th, 2023

 

Sheep Workshops

The next sheep workshop is scheduled for Thursday February 23rd at 7:00 pm at the Greene’s home (35 Legacy Drive #4, Three Forks). Note this is a date change from the original February date. There are also workshops planned for the third Thursdays in March through July. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Greene at 406.491.3303.  

 

Rabbit Workshop

There is a rabbit workshop on Sunday, February 19th at 2:00pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. Bring record books, workbooks and rabbit breed information you have researched. No rabbits at this meeting. If you have any question, please contact Danielle Douglas at 406.465.3318

 

Pocket Pet Workshop

There is a pocket pet workshop on Sunday, February 19th at 3:00pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. No animals at this meeting. If you have any question, please contact Danielle Douglas at 406.465.3318

 

Veterinary Science

There is a workshop on Wednesday, February 8th at 5:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend).  We will be doing a fecal analysis to look for internal parasites and talk about how internal parasites affect the health of the animal.  Watch your email for instructions on how to collect a sample to bring with you to the workshop. The next workshop will be Tuesday March 21st at 4:15pm at Chuteside Vet in Three Forks.  If you have any questions, contact Samantha Ferrat at 406-949-0869.
 

Swine Workshop

There will be another swine workshop covering selection and feeding on Monday, February 20th at 6:30pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. Hugh Braaten is also hosting the same workshop on Tuesday, February 21st at 6:30 pm at the GranTree Inn in Bozeman (1325 N 7th Ave). Broadwater County swine members may attend the Bozeman workshop. If you have any questions, please contact Hugh Braaten at 406.439.8873

4-H Non-Animal Project Activities
 

Archery Workshops

The archery project will host workshops on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Fairgrounds. The last workshop will be February 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Barry McDonald at 406.580.0079, Andrew Christensen at 406.589.7747 or Eric Crusch at 406.521.0275.

 
.22 Rifle Workshops

The .22 rifle project will meet at the Broadwater County Rod and Gun Club Canton Range (96 Canton Lane, Townsend) on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Participants must be age 9 or older to enroll in the project.  Participants will learn firearm safety (first and foremost), firearm nomenclature, shooting skills, shooting positions, and much more.  Participants will shoot almost every meeting starting after the third meeting.  Parents are encouraged, but not required, to remain on-site during the meeting. The gun club provides .22 rifles for participants that do not have a rifle, or participants can bring their own. Scopes and semi-auto rifles are prohibited. Contact John Pavao at 406.422.9590 if you have any questions, if you would like to help, or if you know of kids that may be interested in joining this project. 

 

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, February 18th at 2:00 pm at the Extension Office. Contact Brandon Henke at 406.980.0992 if you have any questions.

 

Woodworking Workshops

Woodworking workshops are scheduled for Wednesday nights in February (the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd) at 5:30 pm at the Cadillac Custom Cabinets shop (6 Hunters Trail, Townsend). After the four workshops, there will be open shop times on Wednesday at 5:30 in March and April. If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Harrigfeld at 406.980.0388

 

Cloverbuds Meetings

Cloverbuds will be meeting on Tuesday, February 14th at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office. The next Cloverbud meeting will be March 14th. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Crusch at 406.949.0057

 

Sewing Workshops

The next workshop will be held Saturday, February 11th 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

There are two embroidery workshops scheduled for February. They are Monday, February 6th and 27th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Extension Office. Also save the dates for the other workshop on March 20th. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Meissner at 406.521.0745.

 

Quilting Workshops

The next workshop will be held Saturday, February 11th from 1:00-3:00pm at the Extension Office. The next quilting workshop will be on March 4th.  If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Meissner at 406.521.0745.

 

Photography Workshops

The first photography workshop has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 19th at 1:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Thereafter, we’ll plan for 4 – 6 indoor and outdoor workshops through winter and spring on dates that work best for the group. Please watch for an email coming soon with more details.  If you have any questions, please contact Lee Nelson at 406.521.0748

 

Cake Decorating

There are Cake Decorating workshops planned for a few Fridays in February and March. Level 1 members will meet from 5:30-6:30 pm and Level 2 members will meet form 5:30-7:00pm. These workshops are scheduled for: February 10th and 24th and March10th and 24th at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Roxanne Six at 406.980.1204.

 

Welding

The first welding workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21st at 4:15pm at Ferrat Ranch (191 Ferrat Lane, Toston). This is for all levels and please bring your project book and record book. If you have any questions, please contact John Ferrat at 406.949.7911

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

 

Leadership Academy

Join the Montana 4-H Leadership Academy workshops on Sunday afternoons this winter. The Leadership Academy is a network of Montana 4-H members interested in exploring and developing their own leadership skills while serving their county 4-H program in new ways. Join with groups around the state as well as the Montana 4-H ambassador Officer team virtually and in-person when possible, to work on skill building, planning and mentorship. Registration is online through this site and  is open to 4-H members ages 12+. The dates for the remaining leadership academy workshops are February 5th and March 5th from 3:00-4:00 pm.

 

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.

·         Choteau County Archery Shoot- February 25th in Fort Benton.

·         State 4-H Shooting Invitational- March 3rd – 5th in Bozeman. Archery and .22

·         Ravalli County Archery Shoot- February 11th

·         Lake County Archery Shoot- February 18th

·         Custer County Postal Archery Tournament- January 20-February 24th

·         Beaverhead County Archery Shoot- February 25th

·         Lewis and Clark County Shotgun event- April 29th

·         Cascade County Archery Shoot- February 24th

·         State 4-H Shotgun Qualifier- April 22nd

 

Scholarship Opportunity

Montana 4-H Foundation is now accepting applications for higher education scholarships.  The due date has been changed this year to February 14, 2023.

To begin the process, review all scholarship eligibility and criteria on the Montana 4-H Foundation website.   To apply you will need an electronic copy of your transcripts and letters of recommendation.  Be sure to gather those in advance.

 

Montana 4-H Rec Lab

This year’s Rec lab will be held March 17th-19th in Culbertson Montana. The theme is, "Rendezvous 4-H." Visit the Montana 4-H Rec Lab website for more information. Registration is now open through Zsuites. Registration deadline is March 1st. This event for 4-H members ages 13-19.  

What is Rec Lab? Many teens will tell you Rec Lab is their favorite statewide event. It has a really casual, fun and hands on feel. Often times all of the activities including sleeping take place in one building like a school. It is almost impossible in this environment not to make new friends! People spend time between meals and workshops sitting at cafeteria tables playing games and getting to know each other. The workshops are very engaging and often hands on with project and activity based topics that can be used in a club or camp setting.

 

The Montana 4-H Citizenship Seminar was held in Helena on Sunday, January 15, through Tuesday, January 17, 2023. It was a fulfilling experience that included collaboration with fellow 4-Hers from across the state, learning about civic discourse and parliamentary procedure, participating in a mock legislature, and meeting with Supreme Court Justice Rice, Governor Gianforte, and Secretary of State Jacobsen. The seminar wrapped up with the Legislative Breakfast as well as tours of the Montana State Capitol and the Old Governor’s Mansion.

Anna Beatty (member of the Toston Blue Ribbon 4-H Club) served as a Broadwater County delegate and enjoyed the experience very much. Not only did she enjoy all of the activities, but she was also proud to win the Montana History Bowl played by all of the 4-H delegates from around the state and working on a group service project, assembling bicycles and then presenting the bikes to needy Helena children.

  
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 and Officer Selection will be July 9th-11th and the State Contest is July 12th. 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 State Awards website.. State award applications are due May 1st, 2023.

 

Apply to be a Montana 4-H Ambassador!

The Montana 4-H State Ambassador program provides opportunities for youth to represent 4-H through leadership and service at the state level. State Ambassadors Officers are a select team of Montana 4-H Ambassadors that have demonstrated leadership in their county 4-H programs, and who are interested in developing and refining skills to teach other 4-H youth about leadership, promotion and service.

Applications are due postmarked to the 4-H Center by June15. The ambassador officer selection process takes place during pre-congress events.

More information about state ambassadors and the application can be found on the MSU Youth Officers page.

 

Other Opportunities
 

2023 National 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus

The Montana 4-H Center is encouraging our high school youth to attend the 2023 National 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus either June 11-16 or July 2-7, 2023 in Washington D.C. at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.  Using the nation’s capital as their classroom, CWF connects young leaders from across the country to gain the skills and experiences to become effective change agents! 

When:  Week 1: June 11-16 or Week 4: July 2-7

Where:  Washington D.C. at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, MD

Eligibility:  Current 4-H members must be 14-19 years of age

Chaperones:  We will have a 1:10 chaperone to youth ratio

Cost:  $1,295/person registration for double occupancy which includes guest room, meals (excluding the two state-organized meals), DC area site visits, and program materials; plus approximately $200/person for the DC area Transportation Package; and the round-trip flight from MT to Washington DC. The approximate total cost will range from ~$2,000 - $2,500 depending on flight costs.

Montana Delegate Application and Deposit: Please complete and send in the application along with an initial $650.00 deposit by February 13.

Susan Dufner Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to a current 4-H member, age 17 or older (by the time of travel), that is attending a 4-H citizenship event in Washington D.C. The award will be applied to the total fees for this event. For more information and the application please visit the Montana 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus page.

 

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].  

 

AMTOPP Greens Industry Scholarship

The Montana 4-H Foundation offers a $250 scholarship for 4-H age youth involved in, or wanting to become involved in, a 4-H project or learning opportunity associated with the “greens industry”. In this case, “greens industry” includes areas such as fruit and vegetable gardening, floriculture, horticulture, ornamental and turf grass, arborists (trees), crops and weeds, as well as pesticide application. The scholarship is funded by AMTOPP (Association of Montana Turf, Ornamental & Pest Professionals).  The application is available online and must be submitted on or before April 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time to start your 4-H project, if you haven’t already!

 

You should be starting now to plan for fair, update your Record Books, and complete your activities. 

 

Remember: 

Indoor projects are just as important to enter into fair and you can sell some Indoor items at the 

4-H Indoor Silent Auction!