4-H Newsletters

CURRENT EDITION

Alternatively, download a printable version of the September 2023 Cascade County 4-H Clover Connection

Extension Agent Update

Thank you to everyone who helped keep the 4-H program running this summer while I was on maternity leave! Henry (pictured) loved having his mom at home! A special thank you to Rose Malisani, Katrin Finch, and Jody Cope for all their hard work in the Extension Office. Starting this 4-H year, I will be taking over the 4-H Horse and Livestock programs from Rose. Thank you to Rose for the past 11 years of leadership! Rose will still be at the Extension Office, but she will focus on agriculture and horticulture programming.

-Allyssa

Newsletter Drawing

Everyone who emails Allyssa ([email protected]) by Friday, September 8 with a description of the page you found the apple symbol above will be entered in a drawing to win a 4-H themed prize. The winner will be able to choose from multiple awesome 4-H items. Please include the description of the page you found the symbol, something you learned from the newsletter, and the name(s) of the 4-H’er(s) to be entered into the drawing.

Thank You!

Thank you to the following people and businesses who donated to the Cascade County 4-H program over the past 3 months!

Fort Mountain Plumbing
Fourmile Creek Angus
William & Holly Kessler
The Zeller Family Trust
Rod & Julie Pribyl
Callie Corscaden
Bolt Electric
Brandon & Heather Lewis
Angela Strehle

Enrollment

Enrollment for the 2023-2024 4-H year will open on ZSuite on Sunday, October 1. An email will be sent to all enrolled families with information on how to re-enroll. Make sure to re-enroll as soon as possible to remain on the email list and receive project books.

Office Closure

The MSU Extension – Cascade County office will be closed Monday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day.

Project Days

Project Days are scheduled for the second Saturday of the month November-May. We need Project Day workshop leaders. If you are interested in leading a workshop or workshop series, email Allyssa at [email protected].

Fall Teen Leader Training

Fall Teen Leader Training is an event open to 4-H youth 14 years and older as of October 1, 2023. This leadership retreat is planned by Montana 4-H Ambassadors. Youth leave this event prepared and excited to lead their 4-H clubs and projects in their county! This year’s event will be held October 20-22 in Billings. More information can be found at Ambassador Fall Training - Montana 4H - Montana State University Extension | Montana State University. Registration will open on ZSuite soon!

Community, Alumni, and Volunteer Leader Awards

Cascade County 4-H awards multiple community, alumni, and volunteer leader awards at Achievement Night in October. Visit https://montana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEzJTmX112s7mbY by September 15, to make nominations. Awards open for nominations are the Friend of 4-H, Outstanding 4-H Alumni, Outstanding First Year Leader, Project Leader of the Year, and Distinguished Leader of the Year.

Friend of 4-H Awards

Two Friend of 4-H Awards are given each year, one for an individual and the other for a local business. Award recipients have gone above and beyond to support Cascade County 4-H. This award is a symbol of gratitude and commitment to a long-standing relationship with Cascade County community members and businesses to make the best better.

Outstanding Alumni Award

The Outstanding Alumni Award is given to a 4-H alum that is currently active in supporting Cascade County 4-H. This person is passionate about helping youth succeed and commits to finding ways to better the program. The award winner does not have to be an alumni of Cascade County 4-H.

Outstanding First Year Leader Award

The Outstanding First Year Leader Award is presented to a leader in their first year that has shown promise as an active, passionate, and dedicated volunteer with a “go-getter” attitude to bring innovativeness, creativity, and all-around enriched opportunities for the youth of Cascade County 4-H.

Project Leader of the Year Award

The Project Leader of the Year Award is presented to a leader that has picked up the torch for a least one project area and has made significant contributions to the opportunities and education for a specific project area. Leaders nominated for this award must have a team mindset, set goals, be inclusive to all members interested in the project, and care deeply about the success and sustainability of the project and members’ personal achievements in that project.

Meeting Announcements

Leaders Council

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Leaders Council will be held on Tuesday, September 12 at 6:00pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx. Meeting details are emailed out to all enrolled members and leaders 2 weeks before the scheduled meeting date.

Shooting Sports Leaders

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders will be held on Thursday, September 7 at 6:00pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx.

Horse Leaders

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders will be held on Tuesday, September 5 at 5:30pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx.

Livestock Leaders Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Livestock Leaders will be held on Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx.

Cascade 4-H Foundation

The next meeting of the Cascade 4-H Foundation will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:00pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx.

4-H Volunteer Opportunities

There are many volunteer opportunities available for the upcoming 4-H year. Please reach out to Allyssa at [email protected] or 406-454-6980 with any questions about volunteer opportunities.

• Livestock Leader
• Horse Leader
• Shooting Sports Leader
• Shooting Sports Instructor
• Cake Decorating Project Leader
• State Fair Superintendent (paid position)
• Communications Contest Chair
• Record Book and Achievement Committee Member
• Cat Project Leader
• Pocket Pet Project Leader
• Baking Project Leader
• Cooking Project Leader
• Babysitting Project Leader
• Crochet Project Leader
• Ambassador Team Advisor
• Livestock Judging Team Advisor
• Gavel Games (Parliamentary Procedure) Team Advisor
• Hippology Team Advisor
• Woodworking Project Leader
• Project Day Workshop Leader
• Event Judge
  • Communications Contest
  • Fashion/Sewing Revue
  • Quilt Show, Foods Festival
  • Stir-Ups Cooking Competition
  • State Fair
• Event Chaperone
  • Fall Teen Leader Training
  • MT 4-H Congress
  • Camp
  • Rec Lab

4-H CALENDAR

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State University Extension prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status.