4-H Newsletter - July and August 2025
PDF of newsletter
A Letter From the Extension Agent
A favorite quote says “4-H is about more than ribbons and awards. It’s about the people, the experiences, the life-long skills, the memories, the county fair. It’s about being a role model, giving back and making the best better.” As we gear up for the county fair, it’s easy to get caught in the excitement of the competition. It’s what many of us thrive for and enjoy. However, I guarantee that in 10 or 20 years, you probably won’t remember what ribbon you won. But you will remember those experiences that you had and the friends you made. You remember the younger members that you mentored or the older members you looked up to. Those are the memories that will last a lifetime. Good luck at Fair!
Sincerely,
Allison Kosto, Extension Agent - MSU Extension Broadwater County
2025 Broadwater County 4-H Fair
Fair is around the corner! A copy of the Fair Book is attached to this newsletter email. It can also be found on our county website. Please take the time to look through the Fair book. You will find the Fair schedule, classes, rules and entry instructions. Fair entries are due July 9th and are done online through FairEntry. Enrolling in 4-H does not automatically enter you in Fair so much sure to do your entries as well. Instructions on how to enter are on page 4 of the Fair Book.
4-H Family Night – Fair Edition
There are so many questions for beginning 4-H families at Fair time… How do I do my Fair entries? How do I prepare for interviews? Can I bring a buddy animal? What do I wear? Do I need to make a poster? If you have some of these questions, then this event is for you!
This is phase two of the new 4-H family nights to help beginning families learn the ropes at Fair. It will take place on Tuesday, July 1st at 6:30 pm at the 4-H Building at the fairgrounds (189 US Hwy 12 E, Townsend). Please bring your record and project books along with any questions you have about Fair. Contact the Extension Office with any questions. Please RSVP to the office if you have not already.
Market Livestock Activity Requirements
To sell market livestock (including poultry and rabbits) at the Broadwater County Fair all 4-H members must complete 7 “activities” for each market project by the Fair entry deadline. There are many different activities that qualify for points.
One option for junior members (ages 8-13) is to complete seven activities in your 4-H Project book. Senior members (ages 14-18) are limited to three book activities, but 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 must write a paragraph about what you learned during the experience. These educational experiences can be in-person or virtual but must pertain directly to your specific 4-H project.
These requirements are for market livestock ONLY. This means it is an animal that you plan to sell in the 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Sale. If you are not selling the animal (for example pet rabbits, breeding projects, laying hens, dairy animals, etc.), then this rule does not apply to you.
The form (attached), books and documentation must be turned into the office by the fair entry deadline, July 9th. No other books are due at this time.
Fair Information
Setup & Cleanup
Fair setup is on Monday, August 4th at 6:00 pm. All exhibitors are required to attend. One group will decorate the 4-H building for indoor exhibits and the other will setup the livestock barn. Cleanup is Monday, August 11th at 9:00 am. If you are unable to make it, a representative who can do the work for you may come in your place. Make sure to check in at the table when you arrive. If no one shows up or fails to check-in within 15 minutes of the start time a $75 fee will be deducted from your sale check. This fee can be deducted for both set up and cleanup duties.
4-H Market Livestock Insurance
The 4-H Livestock Committee provides 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 does not cover sickness. 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 the 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 insurance is $23 for
each large animal (beef, swine, sheep and goats) and $5 for each poultry or rabbit
pen. This cost will be deducted from sale checks.
Fair Shirts & Group Photo
Shirts are provided at no cost to all currently enrolled 4-H members thanks to a donation from AgWest. Check with your club leader for details on how and when to receive your shirt. If you ordered an extra Fair t-shirt, please pay at the office prior to fair. All 4-H members, including Cloverbuds and indoor exhibitors, are asked to assemble under the pavilion on Thursday, August 7th at noon for a group photo. There is also a mandatory meeting for all youth animal exhibitors at this time.
Indoor Auction Reminder
Any 4-H member with an indoor exhibit or animal educational display is invited to
participate in the 4-H Indoor Silent Auction. It is open to members who exhibit a
usable item such as leathercraft, woodworking, sewing, quilting, photos, etc. All
proceeds go to the member. For more information, visit the Silent Auction webpage of our Broadwater County 4-H website.
Camping and Parking
Due to the water tower constructions there will be some changes to the outer camping
area this year. Similar to last year, camping will be organized on the interior of
the grounds that can be reserved on a first come, first served basis with a small
fee. More information on this and the outer camping area will be coming out in mid-July.
4-H Record Books
All members selling market livestock are required to participate in an interview during Fair setup on Monday. An interview schedule will be sent prior to the Fair and included in your Fair packet. Bring an up-to-date record book for the interview. Your interviewer will want to hear about everything you learned in your project, and they will ask you questions. A description of the record book forms is below. Forms are available on the county webpage or from the Extension Office. You can also use ZSuites to complete your record books. If you choose this option, print out a hard copy to bring to your interview.
DID YOU KNOW?! - How To Get an Indoor Award at Fair
The Indoor Committee uses a point system to determine indoor Fair awards based on the ribbons that you receive. A purple ribbon is worth 4 points, blue is 3 points, red is 2 and white is 1.
Certificates are given to the top 4-H junior and senior exhibitor in every project. Points are given for up to 5 entries/ribbons in every project. The more entries you do and the better you do, the more points you will get.
Medals are given in every 4-H project category for juniors and seniors. The project categories are listed both in the 4-H Clover and Fairbook. An example of a category is “Engineering and Technology” which includes the projects Aerospace, Bicycle, Electricity, Robotics, Small Engines, Welding and Woodworking. In this area, exhibitors receive points for the top 3 entries/ribbons in each project. All the projects in the category are added together and the exhibitor with the most points in the category will receive a medal. The more projects you do within a category, the greater the probability you will get a metal. Quality is important too!
An overall award is given to the top junior and senior indoor exhibitor. This award uses the top 3 entries/ribbons in every indoor project (including animal educational displays) for the overall award. This is another area where a greater number of indoor projects may yield a great likelihood of achieving the award. Quality is important too!
Indoor awards are a little complicated so if you have any questions, contact a member of the Indoor Committee or the Extension Office.
Market Livestock Photo Frames
Daniel Harrigfeld with Cadillac Custom Cabinets has offered to make wooden picture frames for 4-H members to purchase to give to their market livestock buyers with the picture of their animal. Frames are $17, or add personalization for $6 more. Order forms are available at the Extension Office. Please have orders in by July 25th. The order form is also attached to this email and can be filled out and returned directly to Dan with payment. For questions contact Daniel Harrigfeld at 406.980.0388
Round Robin Roundup
4-H member Autumn Henke is organizing a Round Robin Roundup with some help form some other senior members. This event is meant to help any members who are looking for tips on showing all of the animals during the Round Robin Showmanship event. This is to help alleviate some of the last minute prep that the round robin contestants end up needing to do the day of the event. All members are welcome. This is scheduled for July 24th-July26th at the indoor roping barn at the fairgrounds. Please do not bring your animals unless you have been asked to. Thursday July 24th will be Rabbit 6-7 pm and Lamb 7-8pm. Friday July 25th will be Dairy Goat from 6-7pm and Poultry from 7-8pm. Saturday the 26th will be Steer from 10-11am and Swine form 11am- noon. Market Goat form 6-7pm and Horse 7-8pm.
Countywide 4-H Activities
Committee & Council Meetings
4-H COUNCIL: The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 22nd at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Contact Karen 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 on Tuesday, July 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Contact Karen 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 Thursday July 10th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). They will be going over the Market Livestock Activity Requirements before the meeting. 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: There is currently no meeting scheduled. If you have any questions, please contact Jan Finn at [email protected] or phone (406) 266-4992 - home phone or (406) 521-0001 - cell phone.
TEEN CLUB: The next meeting is not scheduled yet. 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 a meeting! Please RSVP to Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852.
4-H Animal Project Activities
Dog
The dog project will be meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm at the fairgrounds (189 US Hwy 12 E, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Georgia Wilde at 913.837.0061.
Horse
Riding practices are scheduled for every Monday night in July at 6:30 pm at the Fairgrounds. If you have any questions, please contact Jann Finn at 406.266.4992 or Donna Richards at 406.521.0717.
Rabbit
The next rabbit workshop will be held on Sunday, July 6th at 3:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Dannielle Douglas at 406.465.3318.
Dairy Goat
The next meeting will be held Saturday, July 19th at 1:00 pm at the Henke’s (200 S Railroad Ave, Townsend). We will be covering shaving goats, tattooing, and cover any other last minute questions before Fair. If you have any questions, please contact Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995.
Meat Goat
There will be a meat goat workshop on Friday July 25th at 2:00 pm at the McDaniel Ranch (168 Lower Confederate Lane, Townsend). This workshop will cover trimming and clipping goats for fair. If you have any questions, please contact Tancy McDaniel at 406.980.0456.
Swine
The July meeting will be held on Thursday, July 17th at 6:30pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds (189 US HWY 12 E, Townsend). If you have any questions, contact Travis Volkman at 406.253.6160.
4-H Non-Animal Project Activities
Leathercraft
There are two workshops scheduled for July. They will be July 9th and 17th at 6:00pm at the McDaniel Ranch (168 Lower Confederate Lane, Townsend). If these dates don’t work for you, please reach out to Tancy and she will try to work something out with you individually. If you have any questions, please contact Tancy McDaniel at 406.980.0456.
Interstate Exchange
The 4-H Interstate Exchange program is already gearing up for its next two-year adventure! We're looking for youth ages 12–18 (as of October 1st) who are excited to make new friends, explore new places, and represent Broadwater County with pride. Participants commit to a two-year program—hosting in year one and traveling in year two. Potential partnerships for this next round include counties in Texas, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin or Michigan with other options being explored so the group can vote on their favorite. If your child is interested in this unforgettable experience, now’s the time to get involved! Contact Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362 or [email protected] to express interest. Demographics of the group is a key part of making a good match with a prospective exchange partner, and counties are already making matches before the new 2025-2026 4-H year begins. There is a meeting scheduled for Monday July 28th at 6:30 at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend).
Statewide 4-H Opportunities
State 4-H Horse Shows
Register Today! Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse Finals & State Horse Show
Register by August 15 through FairEntry for:
Working Ranch Horse Finals
September 12–14 at the 406 Arena in Vaughn, MT
This year’s event includes the Team Challenge, Stall Sign Contest, and Photography Contest—plus exciting prizes like Hero Breakaway Hondas. Participants will showcase skills in roping, cattle sorting, ranch riding, and more.
Montana 4-H State Horse Show
September 26–28 at t406 Arena in Vaughn, MT
There are plenty of ways to shine at this year’s State Horse Show! Compete in classes like showmanship, horsemanship, reining, colt-to-maturity, and mini horses for a chance to place, taking home ribbons and buckles. You can also enter the Stall Sign Contest, Photography Contest, and Costume Classes to win fun prizes and show off your creativity.
4-H International Hosting Opportunities
These international youth and adult chaperones would love to stay with your family and learn about American culture. Special trips and tours are not required to host a delegate. These young people are here to be a member of your family for a month, not a tourist. So far, only 12 youth and one adult have been matched with Montana families and time is running out to find host families for the rest! Host families must have a youth member of the same gender and within 4 years age of the available inbound delegates. Host families for adult chaperones do not have such a requirement.
Six Japanese youth, ages 12-14, plus two adult chaperones, are in similar need of
host families from July 24 – August 17.
Meet the delegates:
Seiryu is a 12-year-old boy from Japan. He likes basketball very much but there is
no place lo learn where he lives. He wants to experience a lot of basketball. He
loves sports and wants to learn and play sports. He is looking forward to meeting
the American people.
Jun is a 13-year-old boy from Japan whose interests include baseball and video games.
He would like to experience various sports with his host family and eat American
foods. He hopes to meet his host family soon!
Nagisa is a 13-year-old boy from Japan who likes playing soccer, swimming, and fishing.
He likes fried chicken and pizza and is very interested in American food. He looks
forward to enjoying American life with his host family.
Akari is a 14-year-old girl from Japan. She likes to play outside, animals, trying
local food, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She wants to talk a lot and get along with her
host family. She wants to learn more about American culture.
Keigo is a 13-year-old boy from Japan. He likes history and wants to take photos
of American trains, see famous places, play card games at home, and enjoy those same
activities with his host family.
Arata is a 13-year-old boy from Japan who loves animals and sometimes gets to take
care of animals at a friend's farm. He especially likes goats and horses. He enjoys
games and hopes to be able to take care of animals, ride a horse, enjoy outdoor activities,
and eat a hamburger.
Yuko is a 57-year-old female chaperone from Japan. She likes cooking and eating,
traveling and seeing natural scenery and landscapes; listening to music, and dogs
and cats. She wants to become part of her host family and talk a lot. She wants
to cook Japanese food for her host family and eat a hamburger.
Naomi is a 57-year-old female chaperone from Japan who enjoys eating and cooking,
dancing, listening to music, and watching baseball. She wants to talk with her host
family members and become a part of the family. She wants to cook with you and eat
a hamburger in America! She is looking forward to meeting you!
These delegates are here for a homestay to experience American life. Is your child going to camp this summer? Send your delegate too! Camp fees are covered by 4-H and the international partner organization. Take them to the grocery store, let them do chores like feeding the animals, take them to 4-H meetings and the Fair! Treat this young person as you would treat your own child. The main requirements are just that the delegate has their own bed, three meals a day, and adult supervision.
Applications are available on the States 4-H website. and will be accepted until all students are placed. Host family selection is subject to the completion of the online application, an in-home interview, a background check for all adults, and delegate availability.
NEW this week!
In addition, there are still at least 6 Japanese high school students enrolled in the Academic Year Program (AYP) who are seeking host families and public high school placement across the US. We still have until August to secure placement for these students. It’s an opportunity to experience the joys of summer hosting, but extended throughout the year! Also, if families can’t commit to a whole year, a half year is fine as long as you commit to finding another family in the same school district (so the delegate doesn’t need to change schools).
For more information, please check out this link: AYP Host Family Opportunity
The world is waiting for YOU to explore! For more information, contact Interim State Coordinator, Dave Brink, at [email protected] or 406.203.6675.
Montana 4-H Foundation Youth Representative
Youth Representative Application
We are seeking dedicated and engaged youth applicants to serve on the Montana 4-H
Foundation Board of Directors. You must be at least 14 by October 1 of the current
4-H year and be enrolled as a 4-H member the following year. The position is for youth
who are enrolled/active 4-H members during their year of service, which will start
at the July annual meeting.
Application is on the Montana 4-H Foundation website.
Application deadline is EXTENDED due to no applications
Other Opportunities
MSU Summer Youth Camps
Yellowstone Writing Project's Youth Writing Camp
Dates: July 14-18, 2025
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Regular resident $875 (after May 31)
Grades: 5-12 (in Fall 2025)
Location: Montana State University, Bozeman
The Yellowstone Writing Project's Youth Writing Camp is a multi-day "unschooled" writing workshop for youth entering grades 5-12. Campers will write in multiple genres and share their writing within a supportive community of peers and licensed educators--the Yellowstone Writing Project teacher consultants.
The program includes writing on the move, writing games, and guidance and feedback
throughout the writing process. Yellowstone Writing Project (YWP) teachers and junior
counselors lead the camp.
Learn more about Youth Writing Camp
Yellowstone Writing Project's Young Writer's Camp
Dates: July 15-18, 2025
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Regular Commuter (after May 31) - $275
Grades: 3-4 (in Fall 2025)
Location: Montana State University, Bozeman
The Yellowstone Writing Project’s Young Writer’s Camp is a four-day writing workshop
for kids entering grades 3-4. Campers will be immersed in creativity and will engage
in activities to encourage writing across genres, writing in community, and building
up writing stamina. Licensed educators (our YWP teacher consultants) will provide
feedback, encouragement, and a few of their favorite writing tricks! Campers will
also have the opportunity to publish their work in a group anthology. The camp will
close with a writing showcase.
Learn more about Young Writer's Camp
STOKEd on Streams
Broadwater Conservation District and STOKE have partnered up for a program that focuses on exploring the Deep Creek Watershed. They will touch on how beavers build dams, types of bugs found in healthy streams, how to measure stream flow and more! The program is on Wednesdays from July 23rd-August 13th from 9am-3:30pm and is open to students in grades 6-12. For more information visit the STOKE website .
