PDF of newsletter

 

A Letter From the Extension Agent
Part five in a series on parliamentary procedure.  

As you are learning, parliamentary procedure is a helpful tool for your club.  It can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be.  There are many motions that could be used but some are on the complicated side.  Here are a few motions that can be helpful in a 4-H Club Setting.

Refer to a Committee: Allows for the creation of a committee to study a topic.  Can be helpful for topics with many options to shorten discussion during meetings.

Adjourn: Used to close the meeting.  Can be done anytime but requires a second and a vote.  However, if you have finished your agenda then you can also adjourn a meeting without a motion.

Point of Order: Calls for clarification on parliamentary rules of order.

Sincerely,

Allison Kosto, Extension Agent - MSU Extension Broadwater County

 

CONGRATUATIONS to the participants in the Montana 4-H State Shoot, Contest Extravaganza and Montana 4-H Rec Lab.  See page 7 for details.
 

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. 

 

Livestock Quality Assurance

Livestock Quality Assurance (QA) is required every other year for members who plan to exhibit market and breeding livestock (beef, sheep, swine, goat, rabbit and poultry) at the Fair. There will only be one training offered this year on Sunday, April 27th at 2:00 pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds.  

The guest speaker this year is Sierra Jepson, owner of Butcher Solutions.  She is a resident of Broadwater County and an expert in butchery skills and meat science.  She will be discussing the importance of a high quality meat product and doing a meat cutting demonstration. There will also be hands on activities to learn skills in meat products. Funding for this program is made possible through the Montana Farm Bureau Federation.

If you can’t attend the workshop or prefer to take the class online, please contact the Extension Office for your options.  Even if you are not required to attend QA this year, the class can still count towards one of your activity points for your market livestock activity requirements if you attend.

 

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 attached to this email, available online, or can be submitted via google form. Contact the Extension Office or Travis Volkman at 406.253.6160 if you have any questions.

 

4-H Feathers and Fur

4-H Members and Leaders, you're invited to the 4-H Feathers & Fur event on April 19th. This event involves 4-H members bringing in 4-H animals to Reading Leaves for Easter so that the public can come through and see and pet your animals. Please don't bring any animal that will bite or scratch. You can sign up as a member to bring animals, to help out or just as a leader coming to help. We would love for you to bring your animal and have a great time. If you would like to join us please fill out this form https://form.jotform.com/250305532849053 .  If you have any questions, please contact Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995.

 
Project Add/Drop Deadline

The deadline to add or drop projects is May 1st! You can do this online through Zsuites or through the Extension Office.  You are only able to enter into Fair for the projects you are enrolled in as of this deadline.

 

Multi-County 4-H Camp

Camp is on June 3-6th near Monarch. Registration will open in April in ZSuites and is due May 9 along with the payment and medical forms.  4-H Camp is open to members currently in grades 3-6th. Thanks to the generous support of the 4-H Council, the cost for campers is $70 and counselors is $60.  Watch your email for more information soon.

Counselors have an in-person training coming up on Sunday, April 13th from 1:00-4:00 pm in White Sulphur.  Allison will be driving.  Please let her know if you plan to attend.  Participation in the training is highly recommended.  

 

2025 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!  There have been a few major changes to the 4-H Fair Schedule this year.  The schedule is attached with the newsletter email.  The biggest change is that the Small Animals Show has been split onto two days.  Poultry, Pocket Pets and Cats are still on Thursday and Rabbit has been moved to Friday.  A few other show times have been adjusted to accommodate so pay close attention.

 

Committee & Council Meetings

4-H COUNCIL: The next meeting will be on Monday, April 21st at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Please note that the date has been changed.  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: The next meeting will be on Monday, April 21st at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Please note that the date has been changed. 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 6th 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.  

HORSE COMMITTEE: There is currently no meeting scheduled.  If you have any questions, please contact Jan Finn at [email protected] or phone (406) 266-4992 - home phone or (406) 521-0001 - cell phone.

INTERSTATE EXCHANGE CLUB: There will not be a meeting in April. Please watch for the May meeting date. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362 or Todd Beatty at 406.490.1361.

TEEN CLUB: The next meeting will be Thursday, April 10th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend).  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 a meeting! Please RSVP to Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852.

 

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.  Weigh-in and tagging is on Tuesday, May 20th 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, Dave Merrit at 406.539.5838 or Tancy McDaniel at 406.980.0456.

 

Avian Flu Update

The Avian Flu (aka Bird Flu) was recently confirmed in Gallatin County in a 4-H flock. The Montana Department of Livestock has not issued any guidance yet about rules or restrictions related to poultry across the state.  However, it is smart to take steps to protect your flock.

This disease has a high mortality rate and should be taken seriously.  It is primarily spread from wild bird to domestic flocks.  You can do your part to limit spread of the Avian Flu by following these biosecurity measures:

·         Prevent contact between wild or migratory birds and domestic poultry, including access by wild birds to feed and water sources. 

·         House birds indoors to the extent possible to limit exposure to wild or migratory birds. 

·         Limit visitor access to areas where birds are housed. 

·         Use dedicated clothing and protective footwear when caring for domestic poultry. 

·         Immediately isolate sick animals and contact your veterinarian or Montana Department of Livestock. 

 

Market Livestock Activity Requirements

To sell market livestock (including poultry and rabbits) at the Broadwater County Fair all 4-H members must complete 7 “activities” for each market project by the Fair entry deadline.  There are many different activities that qualify for points.

One option for junior members (ages 8-13) is to complete seven (7) activities in your 4-H Project book.  Senior members (ages 14-18) are limited to three book activities, but there are still many other options!  You may also choose other activities such as attending a workshop, livestock judging, outside shows, helping a younger member or organizing a workshop.  For each of these items, you should write a paragraph about what you learned during the educational experience.  These educational experiences can be in-person or virtual but must pertain directly to your specific 4-H project.  

These requirements are for market livestock ONLY.  This means it is an animal that you plan to sell in the 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Sale.  If you are not selling the animal (for example pet rabbits, breeding projects, laying hens, dairy animals, etc.), then this rule does not apply to you.

Important Market Livestock Deadlines
Swine : Posession - April 15th, 2025, ID Forms w/ Tag #s (turned in to office) May 1st, 2025
Lambs & Goats: Posession- May 15th, 2025, Tagging and Weigh In (in person event) May 20th, 2025
Poultry & Rabbits: Posession- June 25th, 2025, Identification Form (turned in to office) June 26th, 2025
 

 
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

Riding practices are scheduled for April 14th and 28th at 6:30 pm at the Fairgrounds. If you have any questions, please contact Jann Finn at 406.266.4992 or Donna Richards at 406.521.0717.

 

Beef

There will not be a beef workshop in April, however, your leaders want to encourage you to attend the Quality Assurance event on April 27th at 2:00 at the Fairgrounds. This workshop will be dynamic and very ‘hands-on’ and will qualify for a beef workshop point, if you do not need to use it for your Quality Assurance qualification. If you have any questions about the beef project, contact John Ferrat at 406.949.7911 or Samantha Ferrat at 406.949.0869.

 

Rabbit

The next rabbit workshop will be held on Sunday, April 6th at 3:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend).  We will be going over rabbit breeds. No rabbits at this meeting please. Rabbit workshops are planned to be held monthly on the first Sundays at 3:30 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Dannielle Douglas at 406.465.3318.

 

Pocket Pet

There will be a workshop on Tuesday April 29th at 5:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend).  If you have any questions, please contact Dannielle Douglas at 406.465.3318.

 

Dairy Goat

The next dairy goat meeting will be held Saturday, April 19th at 2:00 pm at the Henke’s house (200 S Railroad Ave, Townsend) These meetings are also open to Meat Goat members. If you have any questions, please contact Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995.

 

Poultry

The next workshops are scheduled for Saturday April 26th and May 17th at 4:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). Various poultry topics will be covered to help support member’s projects and prepare for Fair. Please let Alice know if any members would like to use this time to present to the group. If you have any questions, please contact Alice Kroeger at 406.547.4343.

 

Swine

The April meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17th at 6:30pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds (189 US HWY 12 E, Townsend). If you have any questions, contact Travis Volkman at 406.253.6160.

 

4-H Non-Animal Project Activities

 

Sewing

The next sewing workshop will be Saturday, April 12th at 9:30 am at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you are planning on participating in the sewing project next year, please attend! Sewing workshops are planned for the second Saturday of the month until April. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Holland at 406.266.3473

 

Photography

There will be a workshop on Friday, April 11th at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Dannielle Douglas at 406.465.3318.

 
.22 Rifle

The group has been divided into two shooting groups. Group A will meet on the first and third Mondays, Group B will meet on the second and fourth Thursdays at 6:30pm at the Broadwater Rod and Gun Club (96 Canton Lane, Townsend). For April: Group A meets on the 7th and  21st and Group B meets on the 10th and the 24th. If you do not know which group you are in please contact John Pavao. If you have any questions, please contact John Pavao at 406.422.9590.

 

Cloverbuds

There will not be an April Cloverbud meeting. The last meeting of the year will be on Sunday May 18th at 3:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions please contact Jessica Lancello at 406.860.5355.

 

Shotgun

Shotgun workshops will be held on Sundays through the end of April. This month’s workshops will be: the 6th, 13th and 27th (no meeting on Easter Sunday!) at 4:00 pm at the Broadwater Rod and Gun Club Canton Range (96 Canton Lane, Townsend). The shotgun program is planning on using SportsYou for updates. The code to join the shotgun group is YCXY-KMZK. If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Truesdell at 406.980.0640 or Todd Beatty at 406.490.1361.

 

4-H Photography Opportunity

Lewis & Clark County 4-H will be holding their annul 4-H Photo Show soon, and are extending an invite to any Broadwater County 4-H’ers who are also pursuing photography to participate.

This is an annual show at the Holter Museum of Art. The show will be on exhibit from May 9 to June 8, 2025

On Thursday, May 8, there will be an opening reception for the show, that all 4-H’ers are present so they can talk with visitors to the gallery about their work. This is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The theme of the Photo Show follows the national curriculum/mission of “Beyond Ready,” so all photos will be a representation of something in a 4-H’ers life, along with a caption that they write to explain how 4-H helps them to be Beyond Ready.

Luke Duran (Lewis and Clark County 4-H Photography leader) will also be hosting a photography workshop on Thursday, April 24 at 5:30 in Helena. He has invited our Broadwater County members to this as well. He will be going over all the details of the Photo Show and can answer any questions. This will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Avenue, across from Helena Middle School.

In the meantime, here is a link to the Photo Show information, with all the details and requirements to participate and exhibit in the gallery. Luke’s information can be found on that page as well.

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

 

Statewide 4-H Shooting Sports Matches 

There are several shooting sports matches remaining. Some are in-person events and others are postal 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.

·         Livingston - Sunday, 4/6/2025 Archery Pre-Qualifier                          [email protected] & [email protected]

·         CMP Rimfire and Silhouette Match on Saturday, April 26th or May 3rd Bonner, MT.  The participants must be 14 years of age by January  1, 2025.  If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Brian Bedord at 406-590-9092.

·         Livingston - Sunday, 5/18/2025 Archery Qualifier                                       [email protected] & [email protected]

·         Logan - Saturday, May 3, 2025 Shotgun Qualifier                                   [email protected]

 

Missoula County 4-H Invitational Livestock Judging Contest

The annual Livestock Judging contest is scheduled a little earlier this year – Saturday, April 12th, 8:30am check-in, in Missoula, MT, at the Missoula County Public Schools Ag Education (FFA) Center on South Avenue West (just west of Big Sky High School)

-          Rosettes will be awarded through 6th place for Top Individuals. Ribbons through 3rd place for Top Teams. Top Junior, Senior and FFA judges will receive a Montana Silversmiths buckle, Top Novice judge will receive an embroidered duffle bag.

-          Registration is only $10 per participant, and includes lunch from Jimmy Johns, drinks, chips and snacks.

-          Pre-registration is appreciated by April 9th. See the registration form attached to the newsletter email for more information. 

 

MONTANA 4-H CONGRESS UPDATE

4-H for LIFE isn’t just a theme—it’s a call to adventure! It’s all about the journey of growth, leadership, and endless possibilities that 4-H gives you, now and into the future. LIFE stands for Leadership In Future Endeavors, and that’s exactly what 4-H helps you build—skills and experiences that will set you up for success long after you’ve left the 4-H community.

WHAT PARTICPANTS CAN EXPECT FROM 4-H CONGRESS:

•              Make connections with peers, both youth and adult from across Montana.

•              Learn by doing - Get practical experience through hands-on activities and competitions.

•              Discover fresh ideas from workshops and national speakers that will fuel your future success.

•              Build your network of mentors and friends who will cheer you on.

•              Set yourself up for success— Participate in workshops that open doors to new careers

This event is the cornerstone of Montana 4-H’s Beyond Ready initiative which prepares young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future by helping them build the skills needed to be healthy, productive, and engaged. Congress is open to all members 4-H age 13-19!

 Registration will open May 1 and close June 15.

More information can be found on the Montana 4-H Congress web site.

 

Beyond the Beartooths Livestock Judging Camp

Carbon and Stillwater County are excited to be hosting a state-wide judging camp May 23-25th at the Red Lodge Fairgrounds. Registration will open April 2nd.

We are bringing in two experienced collegiate coaches, Jesse Henson from Auburn University and Sierra Meyers from Linn-Benton Community College. This camp will be full of hands-on learning for members and coaches!

There will be a contest on Sunday May 25th. This contest is open to all 4-H and FFA members, not just to those who attended the camp. More information will be coming out. Please see the flier attached to the newsletter email.

 

Important Upcoming Dates
·         Youth State Award Deadline – May 1, 2025​

·         Montana 4-H Congress (Pre-Congress) - July 6-8 and 8-11, 2025

 

National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute 

This event is scheduled for July 29 – August 2, 2025 at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho.  This is a great opportunity for youth to have great leadership training that will guide them for a lifetime.

The National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program is designed to promote 4-H and 4-H Shooting Sports. Youth selected to serve as Ambassadors receive training that will allow them to return to their homes and advocate for the program at the county, regional, state, and national level.  The deadline for the application to be sent to the Montana 4-H Center is Friday, April 11, 2025.  The application must be emailed [email protected]. The deadline for national application is April 15, 2025. Applications can be requested from the Extension Office. 

Applicants must be at least 14 years old and no more than 19 years old on or before January 1, 2025, to apply. It is required that states send applicants that have at least 1 year of 4-H eligibility left as per their state requirements. Ambassadors receive training to go back to their state and become strong leaders and advocate for the program. 

All lodging, meals, transportation during the event, and materials are provided through the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee General Fund. The cost and arrangement of transportation to and from the event will be the responsibility of the participant and/or State 4-H Program. 

Participants should plan to arrive in the afternoon/evening of Tuesday July 29, 2025. The event will conclude on Friday evening August 1, 2025. Youth will depart campus between 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Transportation to and from the airport is provided. 

A completed application packet includes the following: 

1.            National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute Application Form. 

2.            National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute Certification Form (complete with all signatures). 

3.            A resume - including school, 4-H, community memberships, activities and awards.

 

Other Opportunities


Montana Farm Bureau Foundation Speech Contest 

This contest is for enrolled 7th-9th grade 4-H or FFA members. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd from 8-10:30 am at MSU SUB Room 232. Cash prizes will be awarded! See the flier attached to this email for registration ifnformation and speech topic. Reach out to Alena Standley with any questions! [email protected] or 406-799-9955.

 

MontanaFair Junior Livestock Show 

The event will be August 8th-16th in Billings. Animals participating in this show must be tagged on the following dates: Swine/Sheep/Goat on Saturday, May 3rd from 8:00-11:00 am.  Both tagging events are at the Public Auction Yard in Billings. For more information, contact the Extension Office.

 

International Exchange Programs

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED!

2025 Inbound Delegates

•              20 Japanese delegates (July 21 to August 18, 2025)

 These are 18 youth, 12-18 years old and 2 adult chaperones

•              2 Norwegian delegates (June 25 to July 19, 2025)

These are 14-18 years old OR one adult chaperone

•              2 Academic Year Program (AYP) Students

Students from Japan or South Korea that need to be hosted for one academic year (August 2025-June 2026) and enrolled in a public school

 

For more information about the various inbound programs and hosting a delegate, please visit the State 4-H Exchange website to begin an application.  

 

For more information or support materials contact:

Dave Brink

Interim MT4-HIEP Coordinator

(406) 822-3545

[email protected]