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A Letter From the Extension Agent
 

A favorite quote says “4-H is about more than ribbons and awards. It’s about the people, the experiences, the life-long skills, the memories, the county fair. It’s about being a role model, giving back and making the best better.” As we gear up for the county fair, it’s easy to get caught in the excitement of the competition. It’s what many of us thrive for and enjoy. However, I guarantee that in 10 or 20 years, you probably won’t remember what ribbon you won. But you will remember those experiences that you had and the friends you made. You remember the younger members that you mentored or the older members you looked up to. Those are the memories that will last a lifetime. Good luck at Fair!

 

Sincerely,

 

Allison Kosto- Extension Agent, MSU Extension Broadwater County

 

2024 Broadwater County 4-H Fair Entries!

Fair is around the corner! A copy of the Fair Book is available on the Broadwater County 4-H website. In the Fair Book you will find the Fair schedule, classes, rules and entry instructions.  Please take the time to look through the Fair book, as there have been some changes to the schedule and some of the livestock sections.  Fair entries are due July 9th and are done online through FairEntry.  NO LATE ENTRIES will be accepted. Enrolling in 4-H does not automatically enter you in Fair so make sure to do your entries as well.  Instructions on how to enter are on page 4 of the Fair Book.

 

 
Market Livestock Activity Requirements 

To show and sell market livestock (including poultry and rabbits) at the Fair all 4-H members must complete seven (7) “activity points” for each market project by the Fair entry deadline. There was a major change last year that sets a limit on the number of activities that senior members (ages 14-18) can complete from their project book.  Senior members are now limited to a maximum of three activities from the book.  So if you are a senior member, then you need to plan ahead to make sure you have enough points!  The updated form is attached to this email.

Junior members (ages 8-13) can complete all seven activities from the project book or choose from a variety of other options. Both juniors and seniors can also do other activities such as attending a workshop, livestock judging, outside shows, helping a younger member or organizing a workshop. Details are on the form. The activities must be fully completed, dated and signed off by your helper. For each of these items, you should write a paragraph about what you learned in that educational experience. Please use the form to document your points. The form, books and documentation must be turned into the office by the fair entry deadline, July 9th.    No other books are due at this time.

 

Setup & Cleanup

Fair setup is on Monday, July 29th at 6:00 pm. All exhibitors are required to attend. One group will decorate the 4-H building for indoor exhibits and the other will setup the livestock barn. Cleanup is Monday, August 5th at 9:00 am. If you are unable to make it, a representative who can do the work for you may come in your place. Make sure to check in at the table when you arrive.  If no one shows up or fails to check-in within 15 minutes of the start time a $75 fee will be deducted from your sale check. This fee can be deducted for both set up and cleanup duties.

 

 

4-H Family Night – Fair Edition

There are so many questions for beginning 4-H families at Fair time…  How do I do my Fair entries?  How do I prepare for interviews?  Can I bring a buddy animal?  What do I wear?  Do I need to make a poster?  If you have some of these questions, then this event is for you!  This is phase two of the new 4-H family nights, to help beginning families learn the ropes at Fair.  It will be taking place on Tuesday, July 2nd at 6:30 pm at the 4-H Building.  Please bring your record and project books along with any questions you have about Fair.  Contact the Extension Office with any questions.

 

4-H Market Livestock Insurance

AGAIN this year, the 4-H Livestock Committee will be providing insurance for all 4-H market animals during Fair.  This insurance covers all market animals including sale animals, feeders and buddy animals in transit to Fair and while animals are on the grounds for death or crippling.  It does not cover sickness.  It also covers animals going to processors until slaughter but does not cover animals going home after they leave the grounds.  It also does not cover any breeding, dairy or pet animals.  The insurance covers the market value of the animal which will be compensated to the exhibitor prior to the sale or for non-sale animals or to the buyer after the sale.  The cost of insurance is $18 for each large animal (beef, swine, sheep and goats) and $5 for each poultry or rabbit pen.  This cost will be deducted from sale checks.
 

Fair Shirts & Group Photo

Shirts are provided at no cost to all currently enrolled 4-H members thanks to a donation from AgWest.  Check with your club leader for details on how and when to receive your shirt.  If you ordered an extra Fair t-shirt, please pay at the office prior to fair.  All 4-H members, including Cloverbuds and indoor exhibitors, are asked to assemble under the pavilion on Thursday, August 1st at 11:30 am for a group photo. There is also a mandatory meeting for all youth animal exhibitors at this time.

 

Market Lamb & Goat Ultrasound

All market lambs and goats will be ultrasounded on Thursday, August 1st  at 9:00 am in the livestock barn. Ultrasounding is used to obtain carcass data on animals that do not go to a processor. The cost is $9 per animal.  Please pay at the ultrasound.  Exact change is appreciated. You are responsible for bringing your animal to the ultrasound. Please be on time. It doesn’t take long, and you might miss it! 

 

Indoor Auction Reminder

Any 4-H member with an indoor exhibit or animal educational display is invited to participate in the 4-H Indoor Silent Auction. It is open to members who exhibit a usable item such as leathercraft, woodworking, sewing, quilting, photos, etc. All proceeds go to the member.  For more information, visit the Silent Auction webpage of our Broadwater County 4-H website. 

 

Livestock Buyer’s Dinner Contribution

This year, the Livestock Committee will again be deducting $10 from the final check of each sale animal to cover the costs associated with the Buyer’s Dinner. This deduction will be in addition to the sale commission. We hope that change will mean one less thing for your family to worry about at Fair!

 

Camping and Parking

Since the pavilion has been added to the footprint of the fairgrounds, we are being more strategic about camping and parking on the grounds during Fair to make sure there is adequate space for all Fair participants including rodeo contestants, spectators and 4-H families. Watch for more information on the NEW camping protocol to be announced soon.

 

Market Livestock Photo Frames

Daniel Harrigfeld with Cadillac Custom Cabinets has offered to make wooden picture frames for 4-H members to purchase to give to their market livestock buyers with the picture of their animal. Frames are $17, or add personalization for $6 more.  Order forms are available at the Extension Office.  Please have orders and payments in by July 17th. The order form is also attached to this email and can be filled out and returned directly to Dan with payment. For questions contact Daniel Harrigfeld at 406.980.0388

 

4-H Record Books

All members selling market livestock are required to participate in an interview during Fair setup on Monday. An interview schedule will be sent prior to the Fair and included in your Fair packet. Bring an up-to-date record book to the interview. Your interviewer will want to hear about everything you learned in your project, and they will ask you questions! A description of the record book forms is to the right. Forms are available on the county webpage or from the Extension Office.  You can also use ZSuites to complete your record books.  If you choose this option, print out a hard copy to bring to your interview. 

 

The office will be closed Thursday, July 4th. 

 


DID YOU KNOW?! - How To Get an Indoor Award at Fair

The Indoor Committee uses a point system to determine indoor Fair awards based on the ribbons that you receive. A purple ribbon is worth 4 points, blue is 3 points, red is 2 and white is 1. 

Certificates are given to the top 4-H junior and senior exhibitor in every project. Points are given for up to 5 entries/ribbons in every project. The more entries you do and the better you do, the more points you will get.

Medals are given in every 4-H project category for juniors and seniors. The project categories are listed both in the 4-H Clover and Fairbook. An example of a category is “Engineering and Technology” which includes the projects Aerospace, Bicycle, Electricity, Robotics, Small Engines, Welding and Woodworking. In this area, exhibitors receive points for the top 3 entries/ribbons in each project. All the projects in the category are added together and the exhibitor with the most points in the category will receive a medal. The more projects you do within a category, the greater the probability you will get a metal. Quality is important too!

An overall award is given to the top junior and senior indoor exhibitor. This award uses the top 3 entries/ribbons in every indoor project (including animal educational displays) for the overall award. This is another area where a greater number of indoor projects may yield a great likelihood of achieving the award. Quality is important too!

Indoor awards are a little complicated so if you have any questions, contact a member of the Indoor Committee or the Extension Office. 

 

Countywide 4-H Activities


Committee & Council Meetings
4-H COUNCIL:  The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (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: The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office (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 Thursday, July 11th at 6:00 pm at the 4-H Building (189 Hwy 12 E, 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 not a meeting scheduled as of now.  If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jan Finn at [email protected] or phone (406) 266-4992 - home phone or (406) 521-0001 - cell phone.

INTERSTATE EXCHANGE CLUB: The next meeting will be Friday, July 19th at 9:00 am at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). 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

 

Dairy Goat

The next Dairy Goat workshop is scheduled for Saturday, July 6th at 5:30 pm at the Henke’s home (200 S Railroad Ave, Townsend).  Meat goat members are welcome as well. If you have any questions, please contact Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995

 

Rabbit

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

 

Dog

The dog project will be meeting on Thursdays in July. Obedience will meet at 6:00pm and Agility at 7:00pm at the Roping Barn (Indoor barn at the Broadwater County Fairgrounds). If you have any questions, please contact Georgia Wilde at 913.837.0061

 

Horse

Riding Workshops

Horse riding practice will be on Mondays, July 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 6:30 pm at the Fairgrounds. Riding practices will either be in the indoor barn or the outdoor arena, depending on weather and temperature If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either Jann Finn at 406.266.4992 or Donna Richards at 406.521.0717

 

4-H Non-Animal Project Activities

 

Hunting/Wildlife

The next workshop will be Saturday, July 6th at 3:00 pm at the Henke’s home (200 S Railroad Ave, Townsend) If you have any questions, please contact Brandon Henke at 406.980.0992

 

Shotgun

Workshops for Shotgun will be on Sundays July 7th and 21st at 7:00pm 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.

 

Scrapbooking

There will be a scrapbooking workshop on Monday August 22nd at 7:00pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

 

McCone County Jackpot

There is a jackpot show scheduled for July 14th at the McCone County Fairgrounds. This is open to all 4-H and FFA members. Weigh Ins start at 8:00am. This is for market hog, lamb, goat and beef as well as heifers. Registration is done through the Showman app.

 
4-H and Open Horse Show Opportunity

Members in your county are invited to the Rockin’ the Project 4-H and Open Horse Show to be held Saturday, July 20 in Billings, MT.

An entry form with additional event information is attached to this email. Questions can be directed to Yellowstone County 4-H leaders Rhonda at 406-598-6999 or Kayla at 307-251-4931.

 

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

 

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 9-11 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.

 

 

National Food Challenge

The National Food Challenge is scheduled for October 1, 2024 in Dallas Texas. This challenge provides a place for youth to compete at the national level. Additionally, the event helps youth develop and exhibit nutrition, healthy food preparation, food safety, communication, and teamwork skills through culinary experience. National Food Challenge participants learn to prepare safe and nutritious foods and make healthy decisions which may decrease their risk of chronic disease now and in the future.

Attendees at the National 4-H Food Challenge will experience unique learning experiences while participating in the program. Learning experiences will focus on, but not be limited to, nutrition, food purchasing, food preparation, food safety, and careers. These experiences will occur through presentations by professionals, self-guided tours, educational resources and displays, and hands-on engagement with food preparation.

Registration fee is $125 and entries are due by August 12th. If you are interested in more information, please contact the office. 

 

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.

 

Montana Hereford Associations Heifer Grant

The Montana Hereford Association is giving out grants to help 4H and FFA members in the State of Montana start their herd. Current 4-H or FFA members between the ages of 9-17 are eligible to apply.

The application can be found on the Montana Hereford website. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2024. The winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting. If you or any members/families have any questions, please feel free to contact Amanda Romine at 307-629-0654 (call or text) or [email protected].

 

Have you wormed your animal recently?

If not, it may be time to do it again! Keeping your animal free of internal parasites makes them healthier and happier and minimizes their spread when they encounter other animals at places such as Fair. Make sure you read the label and adhere to all withdrawal times. This is your legal responsibility to make sure there are no drug residues in your animal at slaughter. Don’t wait too long to give your wormer or it may be too late! Many wormers have a 30 day withdrawal time so aim to do it around July 1st!