Alternatively, download a printable version of the February 2025 Cascade County 4-H Clover Connection

Thank You!

Thank you to the following people and businesses that donated to the Cascade County 4-H program over the last month!

Steel Etc
William and Holly Kessler
Julie Pribyle
Zeller Family Trust
Taylors AutoMax GMC Nissan
Antelope Butte, LLC
Hagen Construction
Hastings Family
Calvert Family
Chris and Brenda Canine

Office Closure

The MSU Extension Cascade County office will be closed Monday, February 17 in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Project Day

Registration for the February 8th Project Day closes at 11:59pm on Thursday Feb 6th on ZSuite.

Cascade 4-H Foundation Scholarships

Cascade County Scholarships are being reviewed by the foundations committee and updated as this goes to print. Stay tuned for more information.

The Montana 4-H Foundation is now accepting applications for higher education scholarships. Please note the due date has been changed this year to February 14, 2025 To begin the process, please review all scholarship eligibility and criteria at https://www.mt4hfoundation.org/scholarships.html.

Save the date for Montana 4-H Congress 2025!

Montana 4-H Congress

Mark your calendars! 2025 Montana 4-H Congress will be held July 8th-11th in Bozeman.

Montana 4-H invites all members 4-H age 13 and older from across the state an opportunity to come together on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman for four days and participate in an event like no other. Congress offers both youth avenue in which to learn, be challenged, and most of all, have a great time with their peers.

Camp Junior Director Applications Open

Camp Junior Director and Chaperone Applications are open till Feb. 3rd
Junior Directors (JDs) plan 4-H camp with the assistance of camp chaperones, the camp director, and the 4-H agent. JDs are responsible for arranging ceremonies, equipment, and creating workshops for camp. Each JD will have a primary leadership role in the pre-planning stages of camp and at camp itself. As part of the leadership team, JDs share in the overall responsibility for the success of camp.

Important Camp Dates

  • Camp Planning: February 11, March 18, & April 15
  • Camp Clean Up: May TBD
  • JD Day at Camp: June 7
  • Camp: June 8-11

Montana State Fair 4-H Building Theme

The 4-H Building at the Montana State Fair is in need of a theme for the 2025 Montana State Fair! Please send your ideas to Jenn at [email protected]. A list of ideas will then be generated, and a vote will be sent out.

Baby Blanket Service Project

Cascade County 4-H has been participating in the Baby Blanket Service Project for many years. In the past we have donated some years over 80 blankets to be donated to the Cascade County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. March 8th project day will be the start of our 2025 Blanket drive. Look for details when the registration comes out for March. We will have a morning session and an afternoon session for you to sign up and help sew!!!

Montana 4-H Recreation (Rec) Lab

Mark your calendars, because “There’s no place like 4-H!"
Rec Lab will be held March 28-30th, 2025 in White Sulphur Springs, MT. This event is a 4-H member favorite: It provides an opportunity for youth and adults to enhance their leadership, communication, and team building skills in an action-packed and interactive setting.
Learn more at https://www.montana.edu/.../pro.../events/rec_lab/index.html.

Foundation Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade 4-H Foundation will be held on Tuesday, February 18 at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office.       

Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders Committee will be held on Thursday, February 6th at 6:00pm at the Extension Office. Topics of discussion include the live tournament and a record book check date.

Montana 4-H State Shooting Sports

Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational

Registration is now open for the Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational! The event will be located at the Exhibition Hall at the Montana ExpoPark (400 3rd St. NW, Great Falls, MT 59404) on February 15th, 2025. The entry deadline is February 7th, after this date please contact Samaria Kirby (406-390-2880) or the Extension office (406-454-6980) for available shooting times. Youth must be currently enrolled in a Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Program to participate. Registration can be found on bowscore.com at the below links.

https://bowscore.com/tournaments/2025-cascade-county-4-h-invitational-target-only#/register

https://bowscore.com/tournaments/2025-cascade-county-4-h-invitational-3-d-only#/register

https://bowscore.com/tournaments/2025-cascade-county-invitational-airgun-only#/register 

Shooting Sports Instructor Trainings

Are you interested in teaching youth about firearm or archery skills and safety? The Montana 4-H Center has announced the dates for this year’s 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor trainings! The Cascade 4-H Foundation has funds available to help offset the cost of attending a training course. Samaria Kirby is our Cascade County Shooting Sports Coordinator. [email protected] 

Livestock Leaders Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Livestock Leaders will be on Tuesday, February 25th. at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office. Agenda items include planning county livestock show and sale, reports, and clinics.

Livestock at the February Project Day

Come learn about rabbit and poultry projects, and agility classes and get a chance to work on your record books. Bring your animals if you have them! If this is your first year in 4H or if you are brand new to 14 and older, please make sure you come to get LQA credit which is required for the Livestock Show and Sale.

Upcoming Intent to Enter Reminders for Livestock Projects

  • The 4-H member and a parent must sign the form.
  • Fill out the form completely. Animal descriptions of color, unique markings, and complete mailing address of the breeder. Forms missing information will not be accepted.
  • A photo showing the full body of the animal with the ear tag installed that clearly shows the ear tag number is required. 4-H members are encouraged to get their ear tags early and take pictures.
  • Intent forms can be turned in before the deadline for all species.
  • Note: The Intent to Enter does not automatically enter your market animal in the Cascade County 4-H Show and Sale. You must fill out a separate Cascade County 4-H Livestock Show Entry Form.

Horse Leaders Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders will be on Tuesday, February 4th at 5:30 pm at the Extension Office. Agenda items include project days, county horse show, practices, clinics, etc. The meeting will also be virtual via WebEx.

Horse at the February Project Day

Come join the Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders and Hear from professionals about "Careers with horse beyond 4-H". Many kids do not think about the things you can do with a horse and make a difference to others after you are away from 4-H. Utilize that 4-H knowledge and make a career having horses as a part of it! Register by going onto ZSuite, go to events, and select February Project Day.

February

3 - Junior Leader Applications for Camp due
4 - Horse Committee Meeting 5:30 pm
6 - Shooting Sports meeting 6:00 pm
8 - Project Day 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
11 - Camp Planning Meeting 6:00 pm
14 - Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications Due

State FYI Information from 4-H Montana County Programs

Carbon County will be hosting a Livestock Judging Camp open to the whole state from May 23-25th in Red Lodge. Open to all members and coaches so keep your eyes out for registration coming soon!

The Intermountain Livestock Judging School will be May 8, 9, and 10 in Spanish Fork, Utah. There will be a youth track and contest and an Adult /Coach track. Registration is open now.

Don Greytak Calendars

Calendars featuring drawings by artist Don Greytak are available at the Extension office for $15.00. They make a great gift.

 

 

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.