PDF of Newsletter

 

A Letter From the Extension Agent

It’s hard to believe we are already planning summer activities.  Where does time go?!

During the next month, take the time to evaluate your process so far this 4-H year.  You have an opportunity before May 1st to add any 4-H projects that you still want to do or remove any that lack the time or passion to complete.  

This is also a good time to get caught up on your record book.  It’s much harder to work on it during the summer while the weather is nice!

Next look through the newsletter and some of the fun opportunities coming up this spring and summer.  Information on 4-H Camp and Fair is out and there is lots happening.  Take advantage of all that 4-H has to offer!

Sincerely,

Allison Kosto, Extension Agent - MSU Extension Broadwater County

 

 
Broadwater County 4-H Leadership Scholarships

The 4-H Council is offering scholarships to graduating seniors, up to $700. Applicants must have been active in 4-H for all four years of high school, enrolled and completed at least two projects during each year of high school, and demonstrated 4-H leadership skills. Record books must be submitted, along with the application, by April 1st to the Extension Office. The application is attached to this email or can be picked up at the Extension Office. 

 

County Contest Extravaganza– “Luck of the 4-H’ers”

We feel pretty lucky with our County Contest participants! Thank you to all the contestants who challenged themselves and signed up. Thank you to all of the clubs for helping with the contests and organizing judges. Check out the results and proof of the fun that was had on page 8!

 
2024 Broadwater County 4-H Fair

Believe it or not, we only have 4 months until Fair! This may seem like a long time, but it will be here before we know it! A copy of the Fair Book is available on our Broadwater County 4-H website. In the Fair Book, you will find the Fair schedule, classes, rules and entry instructions. Now is the time to start planning your fair entries! Online fair entries will open in May and close July 9th.  No late entries accepted.

 

Project Add/Drop Deadline

Don’t forget to add or drop projects by May 1st! You can do this online through Zsuites or through the Extension Office. Project meeting and workshop information is only sent out to the members who are currently enrolled in a project. Make sure that your project list in Zsuites is accurate so that you don’t miss out on any information! Also, remember that you are only able to enter into Fair for the projects you are enrolled in as of this deadline.

 

Market Swine Tagging

IMPORTANT:  All market hogs must be in your possession by April 15th.  Due to biosecurity measures, no tagging and weigh-in will be held.  It is your responsibility to get tags from the Extension Office to tag hogs by May 1st.  A Market Swine Form needs to be turned into the office by that date.  There is no limit to the number of hogs tagged, but only two hogs can be entered in the Fair and only one will sell. Every hog tagged must be assigned to a designated 4-H/FFA member. Fair entries must match the tagging form and all animals who are housed in the Livestock Building at Fair must be entered in the Fair. Tagging forms are available on our Broadwater County 4-H website, or can be submitted via google form. Contact the Extension Office or Hugh Braaten at 406.439.8873 if you have any questions.

 

Shiloh Rifle Raffle

Our 4-H Archery program is selling tickets for the statewide Shiloh Rifle Raffle. The drawing will be held on June 16th at the Quigley Shoot in Forsyth, and you do not need to be present to win. First prize is a $2500 gift certificate toward a Shiloh Sharps Rifle. Other prizes include a shotgun, cooler or binoculars. There will be only 1000 tickets sold statewide, and we only have 50 to sell, so hurry! Tickets are $20 per ticket or 6 for $100. Contact Jason Noyes 406.949.4851 for tickets.

 

Multi-County 4-H Camp

4-H Camp is June 4-7th near Monarch. Camp registration will open in April through Zsuites.  4-H members in grades 3-6 are eligible for camp.  Campers, counselors and chaperones must register by May 6th as well as submit payment and medical forms to the office. We have many fun, interactive activities planned to challenge you and help you learn as an individual.  New this year we are incorporating workshop tracks into camp.  These will be in-depth workshops that will take place over the course of a day.  Topics for the tracts are STEM Space Explorers, Outdoor Adventures, A Creative Cleanup:  Noxious Weeds, and Making Art and Craft.  The registration fee for Broadwater County 4-H campers is $70 and counselors are $50, thanks to a contribution from the 4-H Council. Watch your email for more information soon.

 

Countywide 4-H Activities


Congratulation to the Rocky Mountain Rough Hands for collecting the most goods for the Teen Club’s “Welcome Baby” donation drive! You will be treated to ice cream at your May meeting !
Committee & Council Meetings
 


4-H COUNCIL:  There is no meeting in March due to the Leaders Training.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 23rd at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 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: There is no meeting in March due to the Leaders Training.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 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 Tuesday, May 7th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend).  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.  

 

INTERSTATE EXCHANGE CLUB: The Interstate Exchange club will be meeting on Friday, April 12th at 8:00am at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 1st. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362 or Todd Beatty at 406.490.1361.

 

4-H Animal Project Activities

 

Market Lambs and Meat Goats

IMPORTANT:  All Market Lambs and Meat Goats must be in your possession by May 15th.  The weigh-in and tagging date has been changed to Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:00 pm at Galor Genetics (8393 US HWY 287, Townsend).  All market lambs and goats are required to attend the tagging.  If you cannot attend, then you must make arrangements for someone else to bring your animal.  No exceptions.  Breeding animals are welcomed to get weighed but are not required to attend.  Also please be prepared to share information about your animal including breed, breeder and date of birth.  If you have any questions, contact the Extension Office or Tancy McDaniel at 406.980.0456.

 

Dairy Goat

The next Dairy Goat workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 6th at 5:30pm at the Henke’s home (200 S Railroad Ave, Townsend).  Meat goat members are welcome as well. Any member wanting to do a demonstration at one of the meetings is welcome to do so. If you have any questions, please contact Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995

Rabbit

The next rabbit project meeting will be Sunday, April 7th at 3:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend) If you have any questions, please contact Dannielle Douglas at 406.465.3318.

 

Pocket Pet

The next pocket pet project meeting will be Sunday, April 7th at 3:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend) If you have any questions, please contact Dannielle Douglas at 406.465.3318.

 

Poultry

The next poultry meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 28th at 3:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). There are two more Poultry meetings scheduled for Sundays March 24th and April 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Alice Kroeger at 406.547.4343.

Important Market Livestock Deadlines
Swine Posession April 15th, 2024
ID Forms w/ Tag #s (turned in to office) May 1st, 2024
Lambs & Goats Posession May 15th, 2024
Tagging and Weigh In (in person event) May 22nd at 6:00 pm
Poultry & Rabbits Posession June 25th, 2024
Identification Form (turned in to office) June 26th, 2024
 

Horse

Horse Identification Form and Vaccination Records: 

Members are required to complete a Horse Identification Form for every horse that you are using for a 4-H Horse project. It is attached to the newsletter email. The Horse ID form is due to the Extension Office on May 1.  Also included with the ID form is the vaccination form.  It is due by the first riding practice or May 1st, whichever is first.  Make it easy on yourself and turn both in at the same time!  If you need to change horses after May 1st, then you need to submit a new ID form along with a statement (written or electronic) of why you are changing horses.

Horse Helmet Policy: 

All members are required to view the Helmet Safety video once during their Junior aged years and again when they become a Senior aged 4-H member. This video can be viewed in the office by appointment only. There is also a Helmet Policy Form that must be signed EVERY year. This is also due by the first riding practice. A copy of this form is attached to the newsletter email.


Riding Workshops

Horse riding practice will begin on Monday, April 15th at 6:30pm at the Fairgrounds. Riding practices will either be in the indoor barn or the outdoor arena, depending on weather and temperature The rest of the dates for riding practices are: April 29, May 13 & 27, June 10, 17 & 24, July 1, 8, 15 & 22 If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either Jann Finn at 406.266.4992 or Donna Richards at 406.521.0717

 
Swine

The next Swine workshop is Monday, May 20th 6:30 pm at the Livestock Pavilion at the fairgrounds. This will be a hands-on showmanship meeting. To get the most out of this meeting you will be able to bring your pig and work it in the showring if you have basic control of it.  If you have not walked your pig outside of its pen, please don’t bring it. They don’t have to be totally broke but you need to have some control over them. There will be an opportunity for senior members to give short presentations on different aspects of daily care and show prep if they would like extra points.  If senior members would like to do this, you must talk to Hugh by April 30th to discuss topics. If you have any questions, please contact Hugh Braaten at 406.439.8873.

 
Meat Goat

The next meat goat meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 19th time is TBD at the McDaniel Ranch (168 Lower Confederate Rd, Townsend). If you have any questions, contact Tancy McDaniel at 406. 980.0456.

 

4-H Non-Animal Project Activities

 

Cloverbuds

The next Cloverbuds meeting will be held on Sunday, April 21st at 3:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). (Note the March Cloverbud meeting is cancelled, there is a Cloverbuds activity offered during the County Contest that is scheduled that day. To register, turn in the County Contest registration form to the office by March 5th). Cloverbuds is the project for our 4-H members aged 5-7. 4-H members who are 8 can choose to take Cloverbuds as their project or to be a full 4-H member and take any of the other 4-H member and take any of the projects available. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jessica Lancello at 406.860.5355.

 

Sewing

The next sewing workshop will be Saturday, April 13th at 9:30 am at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Sewing workshops are planned for the second Saturday of the month until June. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Holland at 406.266.3473

 

Cake Decorating

The next Cake decorating workshop is scheduled for Friday, April 5th at 5:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Roxanne Six at 406.980.1204.

 

Woodworking

Woodworking workshops are scheduled for Tuesdays, May 7, 14 and 21st at 6:00pm at the Cadillac Custom Cabinets shop (6 Hunters Trail, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Harrigfeld at 406.980.0388

 

.22 Rifle Workshops

The .22 rifle project will meet at the Broadwater County Rod and Gun Club Canton Range (96 Canton Lane, Townsend). The members are divided into two groups. Group A will meet the 1st and 3rd Mondays, and Group B will meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:30-8pm.   Participants must be age 9 or older to enroll in the project.  Participants will learn firearm safety (first and foremost), firearm nomenclature, shooting skills, shooting positions, and much more.  Participants will shoot almost every meeting starting after the third meeting.  Parents are encouraged, but not required, to remain on-site during the meeting. The gun club provides .22 rifles for participants that do not have a rifle, or participants can bring their own. Scopes and semi-auto rifles are prohibited. Contact John Pavao at 406.422.9590 if you have any questions.

 

Hunting/Wildlife

The next workshop will be Saturday, April 6th at 3:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Topics will be cold weather hunting, hunter orange, mapping your hunt, ballistics and many more. If you have any questions, please contact Brandon Henke at 406.980.0992

 

Shotgun

Workshops for Shotgun will be on Sundays in April at 4:00pm at the Broadwater Rod and Gun Club (96 Canton Lane, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Truesdell at 406.980.0640 or Todd Beatty at 406.490.1361.

 

Robotics

There are Robotics workshops scheduled for Tuesdays, March 26th- April 30th from 4:15-5:45 at the Lodge of Townsend (131 S Spruce, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Roger Flynn at 651.304.0951.

 

Leathercraft

The next leathercraft meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 11th at 6:00pm at the McDaniel Ranch (168 Lower Confederate Rd, Townsend). If you have any questions, contact Tancy McDaniel at 406. 980.0456.

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

 

Montana 4-H 2024 REC LAB – Registration Now Open!

What is Rec Lab? It sounds like a funny name for a 4-H event. Rec Lab stands for Recreation Lab and means that everything is hands-on and fun! 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. Rec Lab programming provides participants with tips and tricks for being a better club, camp, and community leader. The event is April 19-21 in Boulder. 

This event is ideal for younger senior members to attend as a first-time state event. It allows them to form relationships with 4-H peers from across the state, broaden their skills, and widen their network. Youth participants must be 13+ as of October 1, 2023. The registration fee is $100 if registered by April 3rd and $125 by April 10th.  Registration includes lodging, snacks, meals, t-shirts, and exciting speakers. “I Challenge You” scholarships can be applied to this event.  For registration information, workshops descritpions and more details go Rec Lab website. .

 

Montana 4-H State Award for Youth

The Montana 4-H State Awards program is in place to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of 4-H members who have reached a standard of excellence in a project area. State Award winners have gone above and beyond regular project work with a focus on leadership, communication, and community service.

State Award recipients are recognized during the Banquet at Montana 4-H Congress in July and are eligible to attend National 4-H Congress in November.

Applications and more information can be found on the Montana 4-H Cngress website. State award applications are due May 1st.

 

4-H Congress July 9 – 12 – Save the Date!

Montana 4-H invites all members 4-H age 13 and older to the Montana 4-H Congress event on the Bozeman campus of MSU. Congress provides youth from cross the state an opportunity to come together on campus in Bozeman for four days and participate in an event like no other. Congress offers both youth and adults a venue in which to learn, be challenged, and most of all, have a great time with their peers. Montana 4-H'ers have been attending an event like Congress for decades. Congress has become an important tradition and is the signature event for the Montana 4-H Program.  Congress' purpose is to provide a safe and fun environment for youth to experience all that 4-H Congress has to offer including contests, workshops, entertainment, social events, and much more. Watch for more information in the spring!

 


Montana State 4-H Shotgun Qualifier

This event is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th at Manhattan Wildlife Association and Gallatin Sporting Clays. Top shooters of this contest are qualified to attend the National 4-H Shooting Sports Competition in Nebraska.  It’s also a great way to take your skills to the next level by learning from elite shooters.  There are multiple skeet, trap and sporting clays events scheduled. The cost is $40 per person and registration deadline is Friday, April 12th. You have to bring 200 rounds of ammunition to the event with you. For more information and a registration form, please contact the office.

 

Leadership Academy Monthly Workshops

Join the Montana 4-H Leadership Academy on Sunday afternoons. The leadership academy is a network of Montana 4-H members interested in exploring and developing their own leadership skills while serving their county 4-H program in new ways. Each month the officer team members will present a different workshop topic that they have found to be important as they have grown their own leadership abilities through a virtual platform.   The workshops are on Sunday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00pm. The final workshop is on April 14th.  Registration is done on the Montana 4-H website.here. Click on the blue ‘register now’ button. Once registered, the zoom links will be shared monthly. 

 

4-H Hosting Opportunities

Our state has the unique opportunity for youth and families to grow and experience another culture by hosting an international delegate through the 2024 Summer and Academic Year International Exchange Programs with States’ 4-H! We are seeking host families with a youth within 3-4 years of age and same gender of the youth delegate. 

Short-term Summer Hosting Opportunities (~4 weeks):  

·Japanese Delegation in MT July 22-August 17, 2024: We have 16 female and male youth, ranging from 12-17 years of age, and 1 adult chaperone to match with host families. 2024 Summer Host Family Application can be found here. 

Academic Year Program (AYP) Hosting Opportunities (~10 months):

·~mid-August 2024 to mid-June 2025: We have 1 Korean and 1 Japanese youth to match with a host family. 2024-25 AYP Host Family Application.  

Specific information on the ages of both the short-term and the AYP youth can be shared with families who have a strong interest in hosting!  Contact Christine at [email protected]  or 406.994.3504 for more information.

 

Other Opportunities

 

MontanaFair Junior Livestock Show 

The event will be August 9th-17th in Billings. Animals participating in this show must be tagged on the following dates: The final tagging is for Swine, Sheep and Goats on Saturday, May 4th from 8:00-Noon. Tagging events are at the Public Auction Yard in Billings. For more information, contact the Extension Office.

 

The Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp

The Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp on July 14-19 is now taking registrations. For 38 years, the Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp has provided youth an opportunity to study in an outdoor classroom. Campers learn about forests, streams, soils, geology, rangeland, wildlife, and recreation and spend half-day rafting the Clark Fork River's Alberton Gorge. In between the field sessions, professionals who volunteer from various natural resources-based agencies and industries, specialty evening programs, guest speakers, and hands-on learning through discovery and campfires provide for a lasting summer camp experience.

More information about the camp can be found on the MSU Forestry website . 

There are many scholarship opportunities available to cover camp fees and/or transportation costs.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact Christina Oppegard, Camp Director, at MSU Extension Forestry (406) 243-2773 [email protected].  

 

Montana Columbia Sheep Breeders Association- Starter Flock Program

The Montana Columbia Sheep Breeders Association is excited to offer a starter flock program to youth ages 11 – 16 interested in raising registered Columbia Sheep. Selected recipients receive a gift of 4 registered ewes to begin their adventure. With the help of family and the guidance of a nowledgeable sponsor member of the association, this program is a stepping stone towards success for our young breeders.  Information and application is available at the Montana Columbia Sheep Breeders website. Applications must be postmarked no later than August 1.

 

American Quarter Horse Association Youth Excellence Seminar

The Youth Excellence Seminar, or what is more fondly known as YES is a 3 day educational and fun-filled conference that welcomes equine-loving youth ages 10 to 18. Some fun and educational activities we have are listening to inspiring speakers, leadership development workshops, making new friends from all across the US, a community service activity, and so much more. This year, YES will be held from July 9th through the 11th in Amarillo, TX. Our theme is "We're All In". Which for us is the celebration of what makes each youth member unique, from the color of their horse or the class they ride in, is the community they all value. A community that embraces diverse backgrounds and interests, treats everyone with respect, and provides a welcoming atmosphere in a place where all members thrive.

Registration and Hotel Accommodations have been posted and can be found on the YES AQHA page.

 

The Association of Montana Turf, Ornamental and Pest Professionals (AMTOPP) Scholarship Application 

The 4-H Scholarship is awarded to the 4-H club/individual that has a beautification project involving landscape or arboriculture for their community. This is similar to a grant type of award. Some of the projects that have been awarded in the past include:

Starting a community garden in the community, using the money to buy seeds and starter plants.

Install a native garden at a local city park in their community.

Plant Aspen and Cottonwood trees on the creek bank of school grounds as an experiment to see if they would push out the Russian Olive trees.

Create a spirit garden.

Applications are due Apirl 15th and can be requested from the office. 

 
Sedan Cow Camp and Show

The Sedan Cow Camp and Show will be held June 1-2, 2024 in Wilsall. This camp was started by two young cattle enthusiasts to assist members in the 4-H/FFA Beef project to acquire the essential skills for success. After attending various shows in Montana, they noticed the challenges faced by youth who didn't grow up in the cattle industry, struggling to learn tasks like feeding, clipping, fitting, and showing cattle. The aim is to fill this gap by providing a platform where newcomers can learn and create a supportive network for those moments when your heifer is being difficult or your steer decides eating and gaining weight is optional.

Our program is a two-day workshop. On the first day, we begin by discussing feed routines and gradually move into topics like washing and daily care of beef projects. We then transition to clipping and fitting and conclude the day with lessons on showmanship and show ring etiquette. Throughout the day, there are breakout sessions for parents to learn important skills, such as helping with show day stress and goal setting. 

On the second day, participants have the opportunity to apply the skills they learned in a real show setting and receive valuable feedback from an industry judge. The day kicks off early in the wash racks, with the sound of blowers and clippers filling the air. Last year, we featured three Showmanship classes, a Breeding Heifer Class, and four classes of market steers. It's a hands-on experience where participants can showcase what they've learned and gain practical insights.

For More info

check out their Facebook page. 

or email [email protected]

Register online by May 1st. Only 25 entrants will be accepted. 

 

Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship

Applicants to the Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship must:

•              Be high school seniors, graduates, or current college undergraduates residing and studying in the United States (U.S.).

•              Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.

•              Have experience showing or caring for large/small livestock animals, equine, or poultry (not house pets).

The deadline to apply for this scholarship is April 17, 2024, by 3pm CST. Apply online at Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship (scholarsapply.org). 

Employees of Purina Animal Nutrition LLC and its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising agencies, and any other entity involved in the development or administration of this Scholarship Program, and their immediate family members or household members are not eligible for this scholarship.

*(Immediate family members are defined as parents, siblings, and children).