Clover Connection February

Alternatively, download a printable version of the February 2024 Cascade County 4-H Clover Connection

Farewell

It is with sadness and excitement for the future that I announce that I will be resigning from my position as the MSU Extension Cascade County 4-H & Youth Development Agent effective February 7. It has been a wonderful 4 years in Montana, but my husband and I have made the decision to move back to Minnesota to be closer to family. I have accepted a position with Minnetonka Community Education as their Adult Programs Manager. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every one of you! Rose Malisani and Katrin Finch will be taking over the 4-H duties while the search for the next 4-H & Youth Development Agent takes place.

Best,

Allyssa Peak, 4-H & Youth Development Agent

Newsletter Drawing

Everyone who emails Jody at [email protected] by Friday, February 9 with the description of the page you found the heart 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. Congratulations to the January Newsletter Drawing winner, Ryan T. from the Big Sky Explorers 4-H Club!

Thank You!

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

Chris & Brenda Canine
The Zeller Family Trust
Lorang Land and Cattle
Brad Thurber & DA Davidson
Taylor’s AutoMax
Julie Pribyl
William & Holly Kessler
Greg & Erin Doyon

County Wide Food Drive

The Cascade County 4-H Ambassadors are holding a county wide food drive to benefit the Great Falls Food Bank. The club that donates the highest number of items per club member will win an ice cream party. Bring your donations to the Extension Office by February 20!

Office Closure

The MSU Extension Cascade County Office will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Scholarships

Cascade 4-H Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is available to those who are continuing their education beyond high school. To qualify, applicants must have been a Cascade County 4-H member at the time of their high school graduation. More information and the application can be found at https://montana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bPmne0g2gGP9fLg. Applications and supplemental materials are due by 11:59pm on March 31, 2024.

Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarships

This scholarship is available to those who are continuing their education beyond high school and were Montana 4-H members at the time of their high school graduation. More information and applications can be found at Scholarships - MONTANA 4-H FOUNDATION (mt4hfoundation.org).

Montana Farmers Union 4-H Sentence Grant

Montana Farmers Union is awarding $100 grants to 4-H clubs to further their project work. All you have to do is submit one sentence on how you would use the funds! Apply at Montana Farmers Union | Scholarships & Grants.

UPCOMING CASCADE COUNTY 4-H EVENTS

Communications Contest Results

Congratulations to the following youth who participated in the 2024 Cascade County 4-H Communications Contest!

Career Communications

Seth J. – Blue*
Caleb L. – Blue

Commercial

Maysa S. – Blue

Cowboy Poetry

Nathan F. – Blue
Seth J. – Blue
Elle P. – Blue
Abigail P. – Blue
Grace P. – Blue

Demonstration

Aliona L. – Blue*
Lucia L. – Blue
Boaz & David P. – Cloverbuds

Illustrated Talk

Sterling B. – Blue*
Vivian B. – Blue*
Tristen S. – Blue*
Abigail & Esther P. – Blue
Grace & Esther P. – Blue

Impromptu Speech

Emery N. – Blue*
Taylor S. – Red
Tristen S. – Blue*

Prepared Speech

Levi B. – Blue
Elle P. – Blue*
Taylor S. – Blue

*Indicates youth who qualified for Montana 4-H Congress

New 4-H Family Orientation – Date Change

The next New 4-H Family Orientation will be held on Thursday, February 22 at the Extension Office. There will be a potluck starting at 5:30 and the orientation will start at 6:00. Register for this event on ZSuite by February 11, 2024. The information presented at this orientation will be the same as the information at the October orientation.

Camp Junior Director Applications Open

Applications for Camp Junior Directors (JDs) are now open on ZSuite! JDs plan all aspects of Cascade County 4-H Camp and hold an important leadership role at camp. The qualify to be a JD, youth must be 13 years or older by October 1, 2023, and want to grow in their leadership skills. Applications and a $25 registration fee are due on February 21, 2024. JDs must commit to attending all camp planning meetings and the entirety of camp.

2024 Camp Planning Dates

• February 26: 6-8pm at the Extension Office
• March 25: 6-8pm at the Extension Office
• April 29: 6-8pm at the Extension Office
• June 8: JD Day at Camp Rotary
• June 9-12: Cascade County 4-H Camp at Camp Rotary

CASCADE COUNTY 4-H PROJECT NEWS AND UPDATES

Project Day

Registration is now open for the February 10 Project Day on ZSuite and is due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 7. Available workshops include Rabbit Showmanship, Poultry Showmanship, STARBASE Physics, Cloverbuds, Goat Soap Making (13+years old), Horse Patterns, and Sewing.

Upcoming Workshops

*Subject to Change*

• March 9
  
  • 3D Printing, Cloverbuds, Baking Pies, Livestock Project Marketing, Horse Packing and Trail Riding, and Sewing
• April 13
  
  • Livestock Quality Assurance, Cloverbuds, Sewing, and Horse Driving (off-site)
• May 11
  
  • Baby Blanket Service Project, Cloverbuds, and Record Book Office Hours

Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Live Invitational

The Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders are happy to announce that registration for the 2024 Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational is open on FairEntry! We will be offering archery and air gun again this year. The event will be held at the Exhibition Hall at the Montana ExpoPark on Saturday, February 17. Registration can be found at http://CCSS-shootingsportsinvite.fairentry.com and is due by February 9, 2024. Ask your shooting sports leader for more information!

Montana 4-H State Shooting Sports Invitational

This invitational will offer archery, air gun, and .22 events. It will be in Bozeman March 1-3. Ask your shooting sports instructor for more information about the state shoot.

Cascade County Shooting Sports Members Around the State

Multiple Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports members have been competing in shooting sports events around the state over the last month. Many have wone awards, and all have grown in their shooting ability. Way to go shooting sports members!

Horse Judging Opportunity

If you are looking at and evaluating horses and aspire to judge competitively, we need you! The Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders are planning clinics and training seminars and would love for you to join them. We are looking for eligible youth, 13 and older, that will go to Montana 4-H Congress in July 2024 competing in Horse Judging. The team is hoping to qualify for nationals which is held in Denver in January 2025. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the team, please reach out to Coach Ginger Murphy at 406-217-5010.

Horse Camp

Mark your calendars for Horse Camp May 3-4! This awesome event is held at the 406 Arena in Vaughn. Youth participate in multiple fun and education horse centered workshops and stay overnight at the arena. Registration will be available in April on ZSuite.

North 40 Junior Livestock Feed Program

2024 North 40 Junior Livestock Feed cards are now available at the Extension Office! North 40 graciously offers 10% off on regular priced livestock feed and show supplements to all active, enrolled 4-H members. To receive your discount, you must have a North 40 Junior Livestock Feed Program card and a Cascade County 4-H membership card. Both cards are available at the Extension Office. Some of you may have already received your membership card when you initially enrolled in October.

MEETING NOTICES

Foundation

The next meeting of the Cascade 4-H Foundation will be held on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00pm at the Extension Office. Topics of discussion will include appointing the scholarship committee and program updates.

Shooting Sports Leaders

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders will be held on Thursday, February 1 at 6:00pm. Topics of discussion will include the live tournament and shotgun grant opportunities.

Horse Leaders

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders will be held on Tuesday, February 6 at 5:30pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx. Topics of discussion include Horse Camp and clinic planning.

Livestock Leaders

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Livestock Leaders will be held on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx. Topics of discussion will include planning for the Show and Sale.

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.