Click here for PDF of newsletter

 

A Letter from the Extension Agent


The new year is often a time to write new year’s resolutions.  It’s also a good time to look at your 4-H goals.  I encourage you to write SMART goals.  This is an acronym for goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.  

Goals that are specific are clearly defined and answer the basic questions of who, what, when, where, why and how.  Goals need to be measurable. They should contain an exact number that can be measured.  Goals should be attainable, meaning it is something that challenges you but isn’t impossible to accomplish.  Goals should be realistic.  Do you have the time, resources, skills and ability to reach the goal?  If not, the goal may not be realistic. Lastly, goals should be timely by setting a timeline or even a deadline for your goal.  

Write goals in your record book and enjoy working to achieve them!

Sincerely, 

Allison Kosto

Extension Agent

MSU Extension Broadwater County

 


Beef Tagging and Weigh-in

The event is on Saturday, January 1st at 9:00 am at GaLor Genetics (8393 US Hwy 287, Townsend).  It doesn’t take long, so please be on time!  We may not wait!  All market beef animals are required to attend.  Breeding animals are welcomed to get weighed but are not required to attend.  If you can’t be there, you must make arrangements for your animal(s) to be there.  A brand inspector will be available if needed.  Also please be prepared to share information about your animal including breed, breeder and date of birth.  If you have any questions about the beef project, contact Marlo Leachman at 406.581.0531, John Ferrat at 406.949.7911 or Samantha Ferrat at 406.949.0995.

 

New 4-H Family Night

New to 4-H?  Been enrolled a couple of years but still have questions?!  Then join us for a family night on Monday, January 3rd at 6:00 pm in the basement of the Holy Cross Parish Catholic Church (101 S. Walnut St, Townsend). This is a great time to learn more about the 4-H program, expectations, meet others and ask questions.  The evening features ice cream sundaes, games, presentations and an opportunity to meet leaders and ask questions.  It will cover general expectations of the 4-H program and discuss key components including projects, record books and 4-H activities. Hope to see you there!

 

County 4-H Contest Extravaganza

Plans are underway for County Contest Day anticipated to be held at the end of March.  County Contests is a way for you to share your knowledge, learn new skills and be recognized for your hard work.  Contests are related to communications, cooking and sewing or quilting.  You don’t have to be enrolled in a certain project to participate.  Senior members (13-18 years old) can earn a trip to compete at Montana 4-H Congress.  Date for the contest and registration information will be emailed out later in January. See page 5 for a list of county contests and descriptions so you can start preparing your entry.

 

Multi-County 4-H Camp

Save the date for June 7-10 for 4-H Camp near Monarch. Camp counselors have been selected!  Check your email if you applied. Counselors are highly encouraged to attend the training on Saturday, March 12th from 10am-3pm in Harlowton.  Participation is highly recommended.  If you don’t come, you miss being part of the decision making process for the theme, groups and workshop ideas.  Please let Allison know if you plan to attend.

 

                                                                                                                                                   

It’s time to start your 4-H project, if you haven’t already!

You should be starting now to plan for fair, update your Record Books, and complete your activities. 

Remember: 

Indoor projects are just as important to enter into fair and you can sell some Indoor items at the 

4-H Indoor Silent Auction!

 

 

Countywide 4-H Activities


Committee & Council Meetings

INDOOR COMMITTEE: The next meeting has been moved to Monday, January 31st at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). We will be discussing project leaders and workshops. Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items.

4-H COUNCIL: Next meeting has been moved to Monday, January 31st at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items. 

LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE:  The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 4th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jason Noyes at 406.949.4851. 

HORSE COMMITTEE:  The next meeting will be Wednesday, February 16th at 5:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Any horse project members and parents are welcome to attend. If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jan Finn at 406.266.4992 or [email protected]. 

TEEN CLUB: The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 18th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Teen Club is open to all Middle or High School aged members. If you have any questions, contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852.

 

4-H Non-Animal Project Activities

 

Interstate Exchange

The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 19th at 5:30 pm at Infinite Hope Counseling (108 N Front St, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362 or Todd Beatty at 406.490.1361.

 

Cloverbud Workshops

There will not be a Cloverbud workshop in January. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, February 3rd at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any questions, please contact Renee Kockler at 406.220.2820.

 

Sewing Workshops

The next workshop will be on Saturday, January 8th at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend).  Level 1 members will meet from 9:30-11:30 am and Level 2 will meet from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. Please bring your sewing machine. If you have any questions, contact Sarah Holland at 406.266.3473

 

 
.22 Rifle Workshops

The .22 rifle project will meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  January dates will be the 13th and 27th  at the Broadwater County Rod and Gun Club Indoor Range (96 Canton Lane, Townsend). Participants are welcome to bring their own rifles (no scopes) or use rifles provided by the Rod and Gun Club. This is a great opportunity to learn and practice gun and shooting safety, develop your shooting skills, and have fun. This project is led by John Pavao, Courtney Pavao, and Todd Kitto.  Please call or text John at 406.422.9590 if you have any questions.

 

Archery Workshops

Archery workshops are scheduled for Tuesday evenings from 5:30-8:00 pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. If you have any questions, contact Jason Noyes at 406.949.4851.

 

Cake Decorating Workshops

The last cake decorating workshop of the year will be Sunday, January 23rd at 3:30 pm in the kitchen at the Extension Office (416 Broadway, Townsend). If you have any question, please contact Jessica Erickson at 406.980.0521.

 

Baking & Cooking Workshops

There are multiple baking and cooking workshops planned for January. Due to the enrollment numbers, the workshops will be broken down into two time slots by age. Members ages 8-10 will be from 5:30-7:00 pm and ages 11+ will be from 7:00-8:30 pm. Workshops will be held at Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church (20 Trailhead View Dr, Townsend) unless otherwise noted. A $10-15 donation if possible, would be appreciated. However, do not let this deter your child from attending. Please RSVP for each workshop to Jennifer Beatty at 406.490.1362.

The schedule follows:

·         Thursday, January 6th:  Topic:  Menu Planning, Nutrition

·         Thursday, January 13th at Bob’s Thriftway.  Topic: Grocery Lists, Budgets, Reading Nutrition Labels, & Grocery Shopping for the next class.

·         Thursday, January 20th: Topic:  Nutrition, Lasagna

·         Thursday, January 27th:   Topic:  Club Member Baking & Cooking Demonstrations

4-H Animal Project Activities

 

Livestock Quality Assurance

A quality Assurance workshop is planned for Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 pm at the 4-H Building.  All 4-H members who plan to enter market livestock (beef, sheep, swine, goat, rabbit or poultry) and breeding projects in the Fair are REQUIRED to take livestock quality assurance (QA) every other year in order to participate.  Contact the Extension Office with any questions or to see if it is your year to take the class.

Montana Fair Junior Livestock Show 

The event will be August 12th- 20th in Billings. Animals participating in this show must be tagged on the following dates: Beef on Saturday, January 8th from 8:00-11:00 and Swine/Sheep/Goat on Saturday, May 7th from 8:00-11:00 am.  Both tagging events are at the Public Auction Yard in Billings. For more information, contact the Extension Office.

 
Beef Project Workshop

There is a workshop scheduled for Sunday, February 6th from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Ferrat Ranch (191 Ferrat Lane, Toston). You are welcome to bring your animals to these workshops for a weight check or help with halter breaking, showing, etc. Please RSVP to Samantha or John for this workshop. The next Beef workshops will be March 6th and in April and May the beef leaders will be making home visits. Any questions, please contact Marlo Leachman at 406.581.0531, Samantha Ferrat at 406.949.0869 or John Ferrat at 406.949.7911. 

 

Horse Project Update

Indoor meetings for the horse project have been cancelled.  Riding workshops will start in April, weather permitting. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jan Finn at 406.266.4992 or Donna Richards at 406.521.0717

 

Dairy Goat Workshop

There are two Dairy Goat workshops scheduled for January. They will be held Fridays, January 7th and 21st at 5:00 pm at the Extension Office (Flynn Building, 416 Broadway, Townsend). For more information or if you have any questions, contact Brandon and Danyel Henke at 406.980.0995. 

 

Vet Science Project Workshop

There are two Vet Science workshops scheduled for January. They will be held on Sundays, January 16th and 30th from 1:00-2:30 pm at the Extension Office. If you have any questions, please contact Samantha Ferrat at 406.949.0869

 

Rabbit Workshop

The next rabbit workshop on Saturday, January 15th at 4:00 pm at the Extension Office. No rabbits at this workshop.  We will be going over diseases and ailments. If you have any questions, contact Danielle Douglas at 406.465.3318.

 

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

 

Cow Town Beef Breeders Show Livestock Judging Contest

This is an all-beef livestock judging contest opportunity in Miles City. The event is scheduled for Friday, February 4th. Check-in is at 8:30 am and the contest starts at 9:00 am. Registration is due by January 21st. Please contact the office for a registration form.

 

4-H & FFA KMON Judging Contest

The KMON Judging Contest will be held January 21-22, 2022 in Great Falls. Registration is due by January 14th, 2022. There are contests in: Poultry, Ag Sales, Meats Judging, Agronomy, and Livestock. Registration is $6 per event, or $10 per event after January 15th. Please contact the office for more information.

 

Montana Shooting Sports Leaders Trainings

There is one remaining shooting sports training scheduled this year (so far).  It will be held January 7-8 in Fairfield for rifle, pistol and archery.  Any adult interested in becoming a Shooting Sports Leader must complete training in that particular discipline.  The 4-H Council will help cover registration fees for a few more adults and junior leaders to attend.  For more information, please contact the Extension Office for more details 406.266.9242.

 

Statewide Shooting Sports Matches

There are several shooting sports matches scheduled during the next few months. Some are in-person events and others are postal matches. For additional information on any particular event, please contact the office.

·         Lewis & Clark County Invitational- Saturday, January 15th. Archery only. Register by January 13th. Visit the bowscore website for more information and to register.

·         National 4-H Shooting Sports Quizbowl- January 17th-21st. Registration details and study guide available Jan. 1st at the National Shooting Sports website.

·         Flathead County 4-H Invitational Shoot – Saturday, January 22.

·         Marias Fair 4-H Only Archery Invitational – Sunday, January 30th in Shelby.  Register by January 24th via the bowscore website.

·         Flathead County Postal Match- Rifle and Archery. Register by January 31.

·         4-H Shooting Stars Invitational- February 4-5th in Baker. Archery only. Register by January 24th.

·         Cascade County Invitational- February 19th in Great Falls

·         Cascade County Archery Postal Match- Targets must be scored by February 25th and submitted by March 4th.  

·         Choteau County Archery Shoot- February 26th in Fort Benton.

·         State 4-H Shooting Invitational- March 4th-6th in Bozeman.

 

Virtual Leadership Academy

This fun statewide event is happening again this year.  The Leadership Academy is a network of Montana 4-H members interested in exploring and developing their leadership skills to serve their county in new ways.  Workshops are held via Zoom on Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm, and each month features a new topic.  Dates are below.  For more information visit the Montana 4-H website.

January 9 - How to make club meetings awesome!
February 13 - Ages and Sages for Mentoring youth
March 13 - Successful Service Learning
April 10 - Lead with Purpose
 


 Rec Lab

This year’s Rec lab will be held March 18-20 in Hobsen. The theme is, "4-H Highway 2022, 4-H Road to Success." Visit the Montana 4-H website for more information. Look for registration information soon. This event for 4-H members age 13-19.  

What is Rec Lab? Many teens will tell you Rec Lab is their favorite statewide event. It has a really casual, fun and hands on feel. Often times all of the activities including sleeping take place in one building like a school. It is almost impossible in this environment not to make new friends! People spend time between meals and workshops sitting at cafeteria tables playing games and getting to know each other. The workshops are very engaging and often hands on with project and activity based topics that can be used in a club or camp setting.

 

People Partner Grants - Montana 4-H Foundation

These grants, up to $500, provide incentives and financial support to 4-H clubs, groups and individuals for programs that enhance the quality of living for people in their communities. Applications should meet the following criteria:

•    Youth should be involved in determining, planning, conducting, and evaluating the project.

•    The project will make it possible for people to accomplish something educational and worthwhile that helps them reach a higher quality of life.

•    There is community support and acceptance of the project, as evidenced by “partners” listed in the grant application, additional funding sources, and resource persons and agencies involved.

•    The project has lasting benefits.

Applications can be found here and must be postmarked by February 1.


What are County Contests? 

Here are the descriptions of each of the contests being held at the County Contest Extravaganza! Read through them and decide which contest you want to enter!

Communications—This contest recognizes the importance of developing high level communication skills as an essential life skill. Here you have an opportunity to practice and demonstrate communication skills through a variety of different methods. The following are components of the contest:  illustrated talk, commercial, impromptu speech, demonstration, video, career communications and prepared speech. You may participate in one or multiple components of the contest. Each component of the contest has a unique set of rules, so be sure to review them before participating.

Fashion Revue— This contest emphasizes skill development in selecting, constructing, accessorizing and modeling garment(s).  You also develop skills in communication, self-confidence, poise and decision making. There are two categories of the contest.  The traditional category is where you bring a new garment that you made.  Items can be sewn, hand-knitted or crocheted. The refashioned category is where you take an existing clothing item and repurpose it into a significantly wearable garment or look. Participants interview with a judge in addition to modeling the item.

Hooked on Cooking – This is an opportunity for members to demonstrate cooking skills. It is open to junior members (8-13 years old) as individuals or teams. The contest emphasizes having fun while cooking and developing skills for safe, nutritious and proper presentation of food. Each year is a new theme and participants create a meal and place setting and interview with a judge. 

Stir-Ups— This is an opportunity for participants to showcase cooking skills and nutritional knowledge.  It is open to any members who are 13 years old or older as individuals or teams. Participants will prepare an appealing, nutritious meal and participate in an interview with the judge.  Each year there is a new and a list of possible ingredients. Participants must use specific ingredients from the provided list to come up with your own creation.

Quilting —Participants in this contest demonstrate the principles of design and an understanding of the techniques required to construct a quilt or quilted item.  Participants will interview with the judge while he/she looks at the construction of the quilt.

 

National 4-H Opportunities


2022 National Youth Summit Series

National 4-H Council is hosting the 2022 National Youth Summit Series in person in Washington, D.C. The Healthy Living and Agriscience Youth Summits are immersive, four-day experiences where high-school aged youth dive into the issues, expand their career horizons and grow as leaders while working with and learning from other teens and experts with shared passions. For more information and registration information, visit the National 4-H website. 

 

Healthy Living Summit - February 10-13

Register by the January 10 to save $50! Final Deadline to register is January 24. At the Summit on Healthy Living, high school students develop the knowledge and skills to address issues surrounding nutrition, physical fitness, wellness, and emotional well-being. Working alongside professionals in family consumer science and healthy living, students will create action plans they can implement in their communities to teach other youth about what they have learned.

Agri-Science Summit - March 10-13,

Register by the February 1 to save $50! Final Deadline to Register is February 15.  At the Summit on Agri-Science, high school students develop the skills and knowledge needed for the challenges facing agriculture, food security, and sustainability. Students will work with each other and experts in the agricultural community in this collaborative, hands-on educational setting.