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A Letter From the Extension Agent

Volunteers are the heart of the 4-H program and I think it safe to say that we have an amazing group of volunteers here in Broadwater County 4-H!  Saying THANK YOU just isn’t enough for all of the hard work that each and every one of you do at Fair and throughout the year!  I hope that all members take the time to say thank you and offer a token of appreciation to a volunteer who has made a difference in your 4-H year.  

As we enter the new 4-H year, we continue to recruit new individuals to bring fresh ideas and skills into our organization.  If you are not already involved, please consider taking a leadership role.  We can’t do it without people like you!  Contact our office to see what volunteer roles might be the best fit for you.  We are looking for club leaders, project leaders, Council officers and committee members.

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

 

Broadwater County Fair Award Winners

If you won a fair award this year (Indoor or Livestock), please send a thank you note to the sponsor.  If you need the name or address of the business or individual who sponsored your award, please call or email the Extension Office.  Without their generosity, we wouldn’t be able to give out these awards!

 

4-H Record Books

The most important thing to do this month is turn in your Record Book!  Submit your record books to your 4-H Club Leader by Friday, September 15th, unless your club leaders have specified an earlier date!  Record books will not be judged but will be reviewed for completeness using the criteria below.  If the record book is NOT complete, you have time to work on it and bring it up to minimum standards. Record books must be complete to be eligible for awards and are used to determine eligibility for award discs.  To have a complete record book and quality for a Gold Seal of Excellence, the following requirements must be met:

        Complete at least one project.  See 4-H Clover Project Selection Guide for specific requirements for each project.

        Identify and demonstrate work towards at least three goals for the 4-H year.

        Complete the “My 4-H Year” form followed by a Project & Financial Journal and Animal Record as applicable.

 
Carcass Evaluations

Carcass data for swine has been emailed out to members.  Beef, goat and lamb data will be coming soon.  Winners will be recognized during Achievement Night. If you have any questions, please contact the office! There were some great quality animals this year.  Great job!

 
Secretary and Historian Books

If you are a club secretary or historian, you are eligible for the county awards!  Turn your books into your club leader or the Extension Office by September 15th.

 

4-H Leaders Training

Time is running out for leaders to take the required online volunteer orientation through ZSuites.  It must be complete by September 30th.  The following active or pending leaders still need to complete the training:  Andrew Christensen, Eric Crusch, Nate Judd, Mark and Renee Kockler, Lee Nelson. John Pavao and Katria Shindoll.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office.  We can also setup a computer for you to do the training at the office.
 
 

New 4-H Club Needed – Incentive Provided

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 4-H Council will provide $500 in startup funds for an approved new club and provide mentors to help new leaders be successful.  Contact the Extension Office if you are interested or want more information!

 

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.

 

Financial Reports

All Treasurer’s (including Council, Livestock, Exchange, Teen Club and Archery) are required to complete the Yearend Financial Report.  Financial records need to be reviewed after September’s bank statement is received and will be due Friday October 20th to the office. The form is available on the website. We will also email the form out to all treasurers with instructions toward the middle of September! Please turn in COMPLETED forms, which means they have been reviewed and signed by two people already!

 
Re-Enrollment

The New 4-H year starts October 1st.  Instructions on how to enroll will be emailed out with the October newsletter.  However, it’s not too soon to start thinking about your projects!  Pick up your new 4-H Clover Project Selection Guide from your club leader.  Remember, if you plan on taking a 4-H project to fair, you must be enrolled in that project.  If you know anyone interested in joining 4-H, have them contact the Extension Office.

 

SAVE THE DATE – Achievement Night

The annual Achievement Night has been set for Sunday, November 12th at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds.  We will be celebrating with a taco bar at 5:30 pm and the program will start at 6:00 pm.  Come to receive your awards and celebrate our achievements.

 

National 4-H Week

Help celebrate the 81st National 4-H Week October 1st-7th! This is a great time to tell your friends about 4-H.  Each club is encouraged to find a way to celebrate!  Here are a few ideas:

·            Put something “4-H” on every bulletin board around town or school.

·         Make a 4-H promotional video.

·         Do a service learning activity.

·         Hang 4-H flags along main street.

·         Organize a “green day” at school.

·         Do a radio PSA.

·         Announce the “4-H Club of the Day” during school announcements along with highlights and achievements of that club.

 

Countywide 4-H Activities

 
Committee & Council Meetings

4-H COUNCIL: The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 26th 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.

INDOOR COMMITTEE: The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 24th at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). There is no meeting in September.  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, September 5th at 7:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). This meeting will primarily focus on feedback from the fair this year.  Please attend if you have ideas or thoughts to share.  If you can’t make it, submit them to the office or committee member in advance of 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:  The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 21st at 5:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). 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.

 

4-H Non-Animal Project Activities


INTERSTATE EXCHANGE CLUB: As the 4-H year wraps up, we are already gearing up for the next two-year term of the county’s 4-H Interstate Exchange group. This is a wonderful opportunity to travel, sightsee, meet new people, make new friends, explore expanding interests, experience how others live, and see other 4-H members in action. Exchange is a two-year commitment where you will host members from another state one year and then travel the next. In the past, our county has exchanged with Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Florida, Maryland and most recently, Missouri.  Participants in this Exchange cycle will have the opportunity to provide input on the next Exchange location.

Members must be 12 years of age as of October 1, 2023 to host and a minimum of 13 years old to travel.  The first organizational and informational meeting will be held on Monday, November 6 at 7 PM at Infinite Hope Counseling located at 108 N Front St, Ste C.  Questions, please call/text Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362 or email her at [email protected].

 

Sewing

There will be sewing workshops on the second Saturday of September-April at 9:30am at the Extension Office. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sarah Holland at 406.266.3473

4-H Animal Project Activities


Beef Project Opportunity

John and Samantha Ferrat, in conjunction with Montana Farmers Union, are hosting a "Future Ranchers Cow Camp" workshop on Saturday, September 23rd at Ferrat Ranch, 191 Ferrat Ln, Toston 59643. Check-in and refreshments at 9:00am with camp starting at 9:15 am and will conclude around 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided! Cow Camp will feature workshops pertaining to the 4-H/FFA market beef project as well as the breeding project and the importance of beef in our food systems. This event is FREE and open to all youth ages 10-18 years old and their parents/guardians. Future Ranchers Cow Camp is open to Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Madison, Meagher, & Park counties. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes Thursday, September 21st. Register through this online form.. Any questions, please reach out to Samantha Ferrat (406) 949.0869 [email protected] or [email protected].

 

Livestock Judging

There will be a Livestock Judging workshop on Thursday, August 31st at 4:30pm at the Braaten’s home (3835 MT Hwy 284, Townsend). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Hugh Braaten at 406.439.8873.

  

Statewide 4-H Opportunities


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.

 
Other Opportunities

 

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.