PDF Of June Newsletter

A Letter from the Extension Agent

This month we’d like to congratulate our graduating seniors!  Graduating from Capital High School in Helena, Zyanne Cervantes is a 7 year member of the Old Baldy 4-H Club, and Jordan Perry is a 9 year member of the Winston Eager Beavers.  Broadwater High School graduates are Nathan Hill, 10-year member of Toston Blue Ribbon, Taylor Noyes, 10 year member of the Rocky Mountain Rough Hands, Courtney Pavao, 4 year member of the Winston Eager Beavers, and Jeremiah Wishman, 10 year member of Old Baldy 4-H Club.  Congratulations and we wish you the very best in your future endeavors!  It has been my pleasure to work you in the 4-H program and watch you grow as young leaders.  I have no doubt you’ll go far in whatever you decide to do!  Once again, congratulations!

Sincerely,

Allison Kosto

DISCLAIMER:  Due to COVID-19 restrictions all meetings, events, workshops, etc. have the potential to be postponed or cancelled.  Updates and changes will be sent via email. 

 AMID A PANDEMIC….BROADWATER COUNTY 4-HERS RISE ABOVE AND CONTINUE TO EXCEL!

 4-H Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the recipients of the Broadwater County 4-H Leadership Scholarships.  Nate Hill and Taylor Noyes received scholarship this year.  Best of luck to both of you on your future educational endeavors!

 4-H Foundation Scholarship Award Winners

Broadwater County had four current or past 4-H members receive the 2020 Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship.  This is an amazing representation for Broadwater County.  Congratulations Nate Hill, Taylor Noyes, Andrew Ferrat and Tyler Noyes!  Way to go!

 Tyler Noyes Selected as a National Education Ambassador

Tyler, a former Broadwater County 4-H member, was selected as one of fourteen National Teach Ag Ambassadors.  He will serve a one-year term, engaging with high school students around the region and helping promote agricultural education.  Way to go Tyler!!

 Cassidy Flynn Takes 1st Place at Cross Border Classic Livestock Judging Contest

This year the Cross Border Classic Horse and Livestock Judging Contest was held virtually, the week of May 11.  There were twenty-two 4-H members across Montana and Alberta that competed.  There were eight counties from Montana that competed and five 4-H districts out of Alberta.  The participants judged a video class of goats, swine, sheep, beef heifers or horses.  The top three members in in the junior (8-13 years old) and senior (14 years and up) divisions received gift cards to the 4-H store.  With a total score of 348 out of a possible 400, our very own, Cassidy Flynn, took 1st place for the junior division.  Congratulations Cassidy!!

 Fair Update

I know there continue to be lots of questions and concerns regarding the status of our Fair.  I want to stress again that the 4-H portion of the Fair is happening!  However, it might look a different that past years.  Throughout the month of June, the Extension Office along with 4-H leaders are putting together a detailed plan for approval by the Board of Health.  More details on what our Fair will look like will be shared in July.  Please make sure you continue to read your newsletter and emails on a regular basis.  Because we expect some changes this year, it will be important for you to be watching for this information.

FAIR ENTRIES ARE OPEN!

Fair entries close July 1st and are done online through FairEntry with your 4HOnline email and password. Please enter in your Fair projects as normal. Even if you are not comfortable attending the Fair in-person, we will provide opportunities for exhibits to be judged virtually, so don’t let that stop you!  The Fairbook is re-attached to the newsletter email.  On page 4 of the Fairbook are detailed instructions for how to enter the Fair.  Please use the Fairbook as a reference to determine your entries and to review the rules.  If you have any trouble or questions, please do not hesitate to call the Extension Office.

 FAIR SHIRTS

 The winner of the Broadwater 4-H Fair T-Shirt Design is………..Kaitlyn Noyes!  We had a total of four entries this year, and they were all wonderful.  We truly have some very creative kids in Broadwater County!  Thank you everyone that participated.  Congratulation Kaitlyn!

If you would like a Fair t-shirt, but are not planning on exhibiting at the Fair, please send your t-shirt size to the Extension Office by July 1st.  This includes Cloverbuds!  Thanks to a donation from Northwest Farm Credit Services, t-shirts are provided to 4-H members at no cost. T-shirts are available for family members and leaders for $15 each, and orders must be made to the office by July 1st.  Payment prior to Fair is appreciated!

 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. One option is to complete 7 activities in your 4-H project book. The activities must be fully completed, dated and signed off by your helper.

 You may also choose other activities such as attending a workshop, livestock judging, outside shows, helping a younger member or organizing a workshop. There have been fewer workshops this year which will likely continue for most of the summer.  However, there are many virtual or online learning opportunities that will qualify as well.  For each of these items, you need to write a paragraph about what you learned in that educational experience. Please use the provided form attached with the newsletter email. The form, books and documentation must be turned into the office by the fair entry deadline, July 1st by 5:00 pm   No other books are due at this time.

COUNTYWIDE 4-H ACTIVITIES

 County Contest Extravaganza

After a lot of consideration, the 2020 county contests were cancelled.  Senior members were contacted, and special arrangements will be made in June for any senior members who still want to do their contest and participate in Congress.  We can look forward to another great event in 2021!

 4-H Activity of the Day

Congratulations to our gift card winners from May!  Participants who received gift cards are Gracie Bingham, Haylee Collins, Bryleigh Erickson, Felix Flynn, Kenzie Knaub, Mikayla Kraft, Kyla Meissner (2), Colton Noyes and Kaitlin Noyes (2).  Also, a big THANK YOU to our sponsors:  Joe & Melanie Weyant, Jason & Karen Noyes, 4-H Council and 4-H Indoor Committee. 

 You have a final chance to participate in the activities and contest!  The final drawing will take place on June 1st.  The final drawing will include three gift cards for $50 to Rocky Mountain Supply, $50 to Reading Leaves and $20 to Stageline Pizza.  Any activities submitted by midnight on Sunday will be included in the drawing.  Check your email for a full list of activities and send in any that you missed!  Contact Allison in the office with any questions.

 COMMITTEE & COUNCIL MEETINGS

4-H COUNCIL & INDOOR COMMITTEE: Next meetings will be on Tuesday, June 23 in the County Annex Building (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend).  Council will be at 7:00 pm and Indoor Committee at 6:00 pm.  Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items.

 LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE:  Next meetings will be Tuesdays, June 2 and June 30 at 7:00 pm at the Fairgrounds in the 4-H Building.  If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jason Noyes at 406.949.4851.

 HORSE COMMITTEE:  Next meeting is Wednesday, June 3 at 5:00 pm at the County Annex Building (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend).

 4-H TEEN CLUB:    Next meeting is Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 pm at Heritage Park in Townsend.  Please RSVP to Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 or contact her with any questions. 

4-H INDOOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Robotics

The next workshop will be held on Saturday, June 13 from 1-4:00 pm in the County Annex (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend).  There will also be workshops June 27, July 11 and July 25 from 1-4:00 pm in the County Annex.  Contact Julie Kluin at [email protected] or 605.553.0601. 

*There are several FREE online options for coding activities. Here is a website that offers some great suggestions for physical robots you could purchase supplies for on your own to build.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/how-to-do-robotics-at-home-with-your-kids.*

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 still 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.

 

4-H ANIMAL PROJECT ACTIVITIES
 

Market Rabbit & Poultry

If you plan to take market pens of poultry or rabbits to the Fair, you are required to complete and turn in an identification form, due June 25th. Since there is no official tagging for these animals, we use a form. The form is available online or from the Extension Office. This form is not needed for pet rabbits or poultry, laying hens or breeding projects.  It is only necessary if you plan to take a market project to Fair and sell it through the livestock auction.

 Poultry

The next workshop will be Saturday, June 6th at 2:00 pm at the Fairgrounds.  There will be demos, a quiz bowl on poultry showmanship questions and a catch-up on how everyone is progressing with their projects.  There will be another workshop June 27th from 10-12:00 pm at the 4-H Building.  The 2019 Fair poultry judge is coming to help prepare members for the show!!!  This workshop will be held at the Fairgrounds 4-H Building.  Contact Alice Kroeger (406.547.4343) with any questions.

Rabbit

Next workshop will be Monday, June 1st at 5:00 pm in the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds.  This workshop will cover showmanship, anatomy, breeds and fur types.  Please bring the following items: Rabbit, small blanket, grooming tools, 4-H binder and rabbit books as well as any rabbit handouts that you have received this current 4-H year.  Contact Katrina Warburton at 406-595-0402 if you have any questions.

 DOG

Dog Agility:  Workshop will be held on Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 pm.

 Obedience: Workshops will be held on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:00 pm and Tuesday, June 30th at 6:00 pm.      

 All workshops/demonstrations will be held at Sorenson’s Indoor Barn (200 Flynn Lane, Townsend).  Please contact Julie Flynn at 406.439.1471 or [email protected] if you have any questions.  

 HORSE

IMPORTANT:  Vaccination forms need to be returned to Donna Richards or the Extension Office by member’s first ride at practice, and they are required to be eligible to enter fair!!!

Workshops:  EXCITING NEWS!  Riding Workshops will begin Monday, June 1st at 6:30pm at the Fairgrounds.  Workshops will continue to be every Monday at 6:30 at the Fairgrounds.  Please check your email for COVID-19 riding guidelines sent out by Jan! 

Clinic:  On Saturday, June 20, Tyrell Burkland will be coming to Townsend to do an educational clinic.  If you are interested in signing up for the clinic, contact Donna or Jan!  The clinic will be limited to 15 riders, so get your spot now!  Cost is $40 per rider.  This will be a great learning opportunity from a knowledgeable horseman who can also tell you what is expected from a judge’s point of view! Tyrell has been the Fair judge for the last two years.  If you have any questions, contact Donna Richards at 406.521.0717 or Jan Finn at 406.266.4992.

STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES

 Montana 4-H Congress

Congress: July 8-July 11

2020 is going virtual! 

This year they are unable to meet in person due to group size restrictions and MSU campus building and food services restrictions. However, the Montana 4-H Center staff, the 2019-2020 Ambassador Office team, and Agents across the state are working hard to develop a Montana 4-H Congress event that will be unlike any other year. We are committed to provide opportunities that will engage, educate, and entertain youth, just like any other year, while ensuring everyone's safety during these uncertain times.  There will be an online registration process to gather individual contest and workshop information.  Registration will open June 1st.  The deadline for registration will be June 15th.  If you register before June 15th you will receive a free t-shirt!  This year’s event is open to 4-H members ages 12-19.  12-year olds cannot register for state contests but will be able to watch when available.      

Watch for more information on the Montana 4-H Website.  They are continuously updating the page so check it regularly!

STATE & NATIONAL LIVESTOCK OPPORTUNITIES

 NILE Merit Heifer Program

This is an amazing opportunity for young people to get started in the cattle industry. The program is a live animal scholarship, meaning the recipients are given a young female heifer.  Participants are chosen based on merit, future goals and ability to care for the animal. 4-H and FFA members who are 12-16 years old may apply. During the program, participants are responsible for the care, records and breeding of the animal. At the conclusion of the program, participants show it at the NILE and the animal becomes theirs. Applications, which include a YouTube video, are due June 30th. More information is available on the NILE website. .

 Helena Jackpot Show

This show will take place at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds multi-purpose building on Saturday, June 13.  The deadline for online entries is Friday, June 5.  All entries will be done thru Fair Entry.  If you have any further questions concerning the event or registrations, please contact the Lewis & Clark County Extension Office at (406) 447-8346 or [email protected].

406 Showdown Jackpot

The 406 Showdown Jackpot has been moved to Saturday, June 27.  The event will take place in the SuperBarn at the Yellowstone County Fairgrounds in Billings, MT.  Contact the Extension Office for an entry form or questions.  You can also visit the 406 Showdown Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/406showdown/.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

AYP HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

The Academic Year Program (AYP) is still moving forward as normal with the 2020-2021 school year and looking for Host Families! AYP delegates come from Japan, Korea or a Eurasian country for one school year. The Japanese students have traveled previously to the United States as part of the summer program. English skills are well-developed. Delegates must attend public school. Host families do not need to have children in their homes to host but need to welcome the delegate as a member of their families for a year.  If you have questions or wish to apply to be host family, contact: Stephanie Davison at [email protected].