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A Letter From the Extension Agent
WOW!  Looking at the next two months, they are BUSY!  First, I want to acknowledge our only participant in Montana 4-H Congress, Grace Kroeger. She will spend four days in Bozeman in July to expand her leadership skills, participate in contests and meet others across the state.

After Congress is the 4-H Interstate Exchange with Anna Beatty, Bryleigh Erickson, Grady Erickson, Kaitlyn Noyes and Cinch Reynolds. They will be traveling to Warren County, Missouri in July for a fun-packed week of being hosted by 4-H’ers from Missouri. 

Last, but certainly not least, is Fair.  Remember it’s not about the ribbon.  It’s about the experience, memories and friends made along the way.  Good luck and have fun!

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

 

2023 Broadwater County 4-H Fair Entries!

Fair is around the corner! A copy of the Fair Book is attached to this newsletter email. It can also be found online at our Extension website.. In the Fair Book you will find the Fair schedule, classes, rules and entry instructions.  Please take the time to look through the Fair book, as there have been some changes to the schedule and some of the livestock sections.  Fair entries are due July 6th and are done online through FairEntry.  NO LATE ENTRIES will be accepted. 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.

 

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.  Junior members (ages 8-13) can complete all seven activities from the project book or choose from a variety of other options. Other activities for both age groups include attending a workshop, livestock judging, outside shows, helping a younger member or organizing a workshop. Details are on the form, attached to this email. 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 July 6th at 5:00pm.  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 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 $18 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.
 

Setup & Cleanup

Fair setup is on Monday, July 31st 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 7th 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.

 

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 at 11:30 am 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. 

 

Livestock Buyer’s Dinner Contribution

This year, the Livestock Committee will again be deducting $10 from the final check of each sale animal to cover the costs associated with the Buyer’s Dinner.  This deduction will be in addition to the sale commission.  We hope that change will mean one less thing for your family to worry about at Fair!

 

Camping and Parking

Since the pavilion has been added to the footprint of the fairgrounds, we are being more strategic about camping and parking on the grounds during Fair to make sure there is adequate space for all Fair participants including rodeo contestants, spectators and 4-H families.  A map will be included in your Fair packets, which come out after the Fair entry deadline.  Please look at the map closely and adhere to the designated areas.  Campers can start arriving after Fair setup on Monday. Campers must be removed no later than 9:00am Monday morning, August 7th to allow the Fairgrounds maintenance crew to begin cleanup and irrigating.

 

Market Livestock Photo Frames

This year, 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. Club leaders have order forms. Please have orders and payments in by July 17th. 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

 

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 to 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 to the right. 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. 

If you are not selling market livestock, your record books aren’t due at Fair.  However, this is still a good time to get them up-to-date and become more prepared to answer the judge’s questions at Fair. All record books are due to your club leader by September 15th (or an earlier date set by your club).

 

REMINDER- The office will be closed on Tuesday July 4th. 
 

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. 

 

Countywide 4-H Activities


Committee & Council Meetings

4-H COUNCIL: The next meeting will be Monday, August 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 Monday, August 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 Thursday, July 6th at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). The committee is meeting at 6:00 pm to review books and market requirements with a formal meeting starting at 7:00 pm.  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: There is not meeting in July. 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 not be meeting in July. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362.

 

4-H Animal Project Activities


Dog Project Update

We currently do not have a leader for the dog project.  The good news is, Lewis & Clark County has graciously agreed to collaborate to allow our kids to attend their workshops this summer.  One of their leaders is also willing to travel to Townsend to put on a couple of workshops! There will be workshops on Wednesdays July 5th, 12th and 19th at 6:00pm at the 4-H Building. We are asking for all dog members to contribute $10 this year, which will be used to purchase a Cenex gift card for the leader.

 

Sheep

There is a sheep workshop scheduled for Thursday July 20th at 7:00 pm at the Greene’s house (35 Legacy Dr #4, Three Forks). If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Greene at 406.491.3303.  

 

Horse Project

Riding practices are on Monday nights at 6:00 pm. 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

 

Scrapbooking

There will be a scrapbooking workshop on Monday July 27th at 7:00pm at the Extension Office. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852.

 

Robotics

There are two robotics workshops scheduled for July. These will be on Wednesdays the 12th and 26th at 5:30pm at the Extension Office. If you have any questions, please contact Roger Flynn at 651.304.0951.

 

Visual Arts

The visual arts workshop that was scheduled for Saturday, July 8th will be rescheduled. Emails will go out to all visual arts members when it is rescheduled.  Please RSVP to Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362.

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities


Statewide Shooting Sports 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.

 

September 9: Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse Show

The 4-H Ranch Horse Competition will be Saturday, September 9th starting at 9:00AM in Vaughn, Montana. The Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse Project is a heritage-based, activity-rich program designed to pass on to today’s youth traditional practices of safe livestock handling from horseback. This is not a rodeo project, but instead a practical and exciting opportunity for youth to use horses for handling, sorting and moving cattle. This project also teaches mounted roping skills as a humane and useful livestock handling tool as well as branding techniques, housing and care of cattle and horses. Like all 4-H projects, Working Ranch Horse members will develop the qualities of leadership and responsibility that come with being engaged in4-H. In today’s world, managing cattle from horseback is a disappearing tradition. Ranches are increasingly automated, using four-wheelers and other machines instead of horses. Many of the skills once learned for necessity are being lost. The 4-H Working Ranch Horse Program is designed to teach and preserve the age-old skills and traditions.

Visit the Working Ranch Horse Finals webpage for further details (updates coming soon).

 

 September 22-24: Montana 4-H State Horse Show

The Montana 4-H State Horse Show will once again be held at The Cottonwood Equine Center in Joliet, MT. The show is an opportunity for 4-H horse project members to test their skills alongside their peers from across the state in an educational and enjoyable competitive contest. Classes are offered to include nearly every aspect of the 4-H horse project as well as nearly every skill level of rider. Youth, ages 9-19 years old, may enter and compete based on the qualifying guidelines of their county.

Visit the State Horse Show Page for further details (updates coming soon).

 

Record Book Forms


Forms can be found on the county webpage on the 4-H Forms & Resources section or from the Extension Office. You can also use ZSuites to complete your record books and simply print a copy at the end of the years.

Types of Forms:

My 4-H Year: One form required each year at the front of your record book. This form summarizes your general 4-H activities & achievements. You can also record non-4-H activities.

Animal Project Journal & Financial Record: Use one form for each animal project (i.e. market lamb, breeding beef, rabbit, horse, etc.). This helps track project specific activities, feed records, financials, & health care.

Non-Animal Project Journal and Financial Record: Use one form for each indoor project (i.e. sewing, foods, leadership, leathercraft, etc.). This helps track your project specific activities & financials.

Cloverbud Record Sheet: One set per year for each Cloverbud. This is a journal of your 4-H activities. 

4-H Story: Optional. This is your opportunity to be creative & share a favorite experience from the 4-H year. This can be completed after Fair.

Record book covers are available from the office. Contact the office or club leader if you have questions.

 
 
Other Opportunities


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 their 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.

 

Montana Make It With Wool Contest

It is time to start preparing for the Make It With Wool contest to be held the Fall. Get out your favorite pattern and start hunting for that perfect wool fabric. Wouldn’t it be great to make a wool outfit for the contest and then already have an outfit finished for your sewing project next 4-H year?  Entry forms are due by October 1. There is also a Quilt/Applique Project/Afghan Contest this year. The fabric or yarn needs to be at least 60% wool. Contact the office for more information.

 

Cow Camp and Show

Two youth members of the Park County 4-H Beef project are hosting a Cow Camp and Show for beginning and intermediate-skill-level beef members on July 1st and 2nd. 

Day 1 of the workshop will cover Clipping/Fitting, Show ring Etiquette, and Showmanship. Day 2 is a small show for them to practice their skills and have some fun. 

The Yeager family from Fairfield is teaching the workshop and will be on hand to help kids Sunday. They have shown across  Montana and the Western US with success and had a lot of fun and gained experience along the way. 

They have set a fee of $75 to cover the expenses of the workshop and to put some money in the pot to be paid out at the show. Max of 20 participants. 

All participants will receive a bucket with goodies, a T-shirt, a BBQ dinner Saturday night,  a lot of fun, learning, and will meet some new people to help them in their beef project! The workshop will be held at The Woosley Ranch in Sedan. Tent/Trailer camping is available and part of the entry. No power or water for hook ups. 

McCone County Jackpot

There is a jackpot show scheduled for July 9th at the McCone County Fairgrounds. This is open to all 4-H and FFA members. Weigh Ins start at 8:00am. This is for market hog, lamb, goat and beef. Registration is done through zsuites.

 

Have you wormed your animal recently?

If not, it may be time to do it again! Keeping your animal free of internal parasites makes them healthier and happier and minimizes their spread when they encounter other animals at places such as Fair. Make sure you read the label and adhere to all withdrawal times. This is your legal responsibility to make sure there are no drug residues in your animal at slaughter. Don’t wait too long to give your wormer or it may be too late! Many wormers have a 30 day withdrawal time so aim to do it around July 1st!
 

 

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!