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A Letter from the Extension Agent

Our 4-H program continues to grow and just ended another amazing year, even during a pandemic!  We ended the last 4-H year with 144 members, 6 clubs and 50 adult volunteers.  Here are some more statistics about our membership last year:

Home Location

  •          Farm or Ranch – 31.9%
  •          Towns under 10,000 & Rural – 63.9%
  •          Other – 4.2%

Gender

  •          Male – 38.2%
  •          Female – 61.8%

Top Projects

  1.       Swine

       2.     Shooting Sports

       3.     Photography

       4.     Foods & Nutrition

       5.     Beef

I’m looking forward to another great year with you!

Sincerely, Allison Kosto - Extension Agent

 

4-H Activities During the COVID Pandemic

Our priority is to make sure our 4-H youth, leaders and their families remain safe and healthy.  As a result, changes made need to be made quickly to adjust based on the current situation in the county. Please watch your email to keep posted on any changes. Attached with the newsletter are the guidelines for both in-person and virtual meetings during the pandemic.  Montana 4-H is required to follow the governor’s mask mandate when there are four or more active cases in the county.  When this is in affect you are required to wear a mask during indoor 4-H activities and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.  If you have any questions or concerns about any of the guidelines, please contact the office.

Achievement Night

Achievement Night will take place on Tuesday, November 10th.  However, it will look a little different this year.  We aren’t able to hold the traditional countywide event, but each club is going to hold a separate event on that night, watch the awards program together and handout awards.  Contact your club leader for details. 

Re-Enrollment 

There is still time to re-enroll!  This will be your last communication from our office until you re-enroll. Montana 4-H is using a new enrollment system this year called ZSuites.  Your basic enrollment data has been transferred using the primary family email associated with 4HOnline.  Instructions on how to re-enroll have been attached with the newsletter email.  Please re-enroll by November 1st to remain on the list to receive the 4-H newsletter and other communications. 

Financial Reports

All Treasurer’s (including Council, Livestock, Exchange, Teen Club and Archery) are required to complete the Year-end Financial Report. Financial records need to be reviewed after September 30th and are due today, October 30th.  The report is available online and has been emailed to leaders. Reminder that this report has to be reviewed and signed by two people. Information on who these two people can be is found on the bottom of the form, near the signature lines.

 

Christmas Tree Fundraiser

Each year, the 4-H Council conducts a Christmas Tree Fundraiser at Rocky Mountain Supply, and we are asking for YOUR help! We will be hunting for Christmas trees on Wednesday, November 25th. Each family is asked to participate.  However, it easiest for the older kids to only help.  Please meet at 2:15 PM at the Big Bull Bar & Grill (6477 Hwy 287, Winston). Bring chainsaws, warm clothing and a positive attitude to jump in and work!  The proceeds from the Christmas tree sales benefit the entire county 4-H program including project work, awards and activities.

  

 

 

NILE Award Recipients

Like most everything this year, the NILE Livestock show had to adapt and looked a little different this year. This did not stop Broadwater County from being well represented! Congratulations to all of the kids who entered. Here are results from our county:

  •          Livestock Judging Results: Overall Senior FFA High Reasons Overall Individuals- 1st place- Kadyn Braaten
  •          Jr Fed Market Steer Show: Grand Champion Market Steer- Wade Leachman
  •          Jr Fed Market Swine Show- Reserve Champion Medium Weight- Kadyn Braaten and Reserve Champion Heavy Weight- Nate Hill

Greytak Calendars

If you are interested in purchasing a calendar to help support the 4-H program, they are available at the office (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Don Greytak is a Montana artist that draws beautiful scenes of rural life. They make great gifts! Calendars are $15 and proceeds support the 4-H Council. 

 

Interested in Volunteering?


4-H programs are highly dependent on adult volunteers to help teach, lead and mentor our youth. If you have a certain skill set, interest, or are just willing to teach - you can become a volunteer! All 4-H volunteers go through a background check and have to enroll into 4-H, just like the members. Project leaders are needed in the following areas: Sportfishing, Robotics, Gardening, Interstate Exchange, Babysitting, Hunting & Wildlife, Veterinary Science, Welding and more. Even if you aren’t interested in becoming a leader but would like to host a workshop in any of the project areas, that could work also!  If you are interested, please contact the office for more information.

 

COMMITTEE & COUNCIL MEETINGS

 

4-H COUNCIL:

Congratulations to the newly elected officers! Your Council officers are: President- Karen Noyes, Vice President- Jennifer Beatty, Secretary- Cassie Cooper and Treasures- Samantha Ferrat. Next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 24th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items.

 

INDOOR COMMITTEE:

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 24th at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend). The committee will be discussing the need for project leaders and workshops. Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 or Terri Howey at 406.581.6295 if you have any questions or agenda items.

 

LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE: 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend). The committee will be talking about upcoming workshops and deadlines. If you are interested in joining the committee, you are also encouraged to attend the meeting.  If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jason Noyes at 406.949.4851.

 

HORSE COMMITTEE: 

Next meeting is Wednesday, November 18th at 5:00 pm at the Extension Office (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend).  The Horse Committee is looking for parent representatives for the committee.  The Committee works on pertinent aspects of the project and uses ideas and input from parents and leaders to offer the best learning opportunities for members.  For more information, contact Jan Finn at (406) 266-4992 or [email protected].

 

4-H PROJECT ACTIVITIES

TEEN CLUB:

The next meeting will be Monday, November 16th at 7:00 at Infinite Hope Counseling (108 N Front Street, Suite C, Townsend). Teen Club is open to Middle or High School aged members. If you have any questions, contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852

 

Sewing Workshop

There will be two workshops this month on Saturday, November 14th at 9:30 am for Level 1 and Saturday November 21st at 9:30 am for Level 2, Both will be held at the Extension Office (416 Broadway Street, former Opportunity Bank Building, Townsend).  Please bring your sewing machine. There will be no sewing workshops in December. If you have any questions, contact Sarah Holland at 406.266.3473.

 

Cake Decorating Workshop

The first workshop of the new year will be Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 am at the 4-H building at the Fairgrounds. Please bring your project book if you have it. If you have any questions, contact Jessica Erickson at 406.980.0521.

  

Visual Arts Workshops

The next workshops will be Mondays, November 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 3:45 to 4:45 pm at the Extension Office (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend). Bring sketch book and pencil to the first class. The 16th bring Acrylic paints and brushes if you have them. Any questions and to RSVP text Katria Shindoll at 406.431.1087.

 

Rabbit Workshop

There are two workshops scheduled this month.  The first is Saturday, November 7th at 3:00 pm at the 4-H building at the Fairgrounds.  We will be going over anatomy and working in our project books. The next is Saturday November 21st at 3:00 at the Fairgrounds. We will be covering disease and preventative measures for rabbit health and safety. No rabbits at either workshop, but please bring project books, paper and pen. Any questions, please contact Kat Warburton at 406.595.0402.

 

Beef Tagging and Weigh-in

Save the date for Saturday, January 2nd at 9:00 am for market beef tagging and weigh-in at GaLor Genetics (8393 US Hwy 287, Townsend).  All market beef are required to attend.  If you can’t be there, you must make arrangements for your animal(s) to be there.  It doesn’t take long, so please be on time!  We may not wait for you!  If you have any questions about the beef project, contact Marlo Leachman at 406-581-0531.

 

 STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES

 

Shooting Sports Leader Training

The Shooting Sports Leader Trainings have been set for the 2020-2021 year.  If you are interested in this, please contact the office (406.266.9242) for more information if you are interested in attending.  Financial assistance may be available. Dates have been set as follows:

  •    December 4 – 5, 2020 – Kalispell: Disciplines offered – Rifle, Pistol, Archery, and Hunting
  •    December 11-12, 2020 – TBD: Disciplines offered – Rifle, Pistol, Archery
  •    January 9-10, 2021 – TBD: Disciplined offered – Rifle, Pistol, Archery
  •    January 16-17, 2021 – Bozeman: Disciplines offered – Rifle, Pistol, and Archery
  •    May 7-8, 2021 – Manhattan Wildlife Association – Logan: Disciplines offered – Muzzle-loader, Shotgun, and Western Heritage

   

Ambassador Leadership Training Opportunity

Join leadership expert Kent Julian and the Montana 4-H Ambassador Officer Team for a five-part leadership series for County Ambassadors. A 4‐H Ambassador is an official envoy, an authorized representative of our Montana 4‐H Program. The training is open to youth 4-H age 14+.  Dates are listed below.  Attendance will be taken at each session, and those that attend all 5 sessions will earn a certificate of completion. All Training sessions are virtual on the zoom platform and will take place from 4:00-5:30 pm on a Sunday.  REGISTRATION is available HERE. Contact the office for information about the Montana Ambassador program or the training opportunity.

  •          Session 1- Foundational Leadership and Personal Development | November 1 from 4:00 to 5:30
  •          Session 2- Personality Styles and Strength Assessment | November 15 from 4:00 to 5:30
  •          Session 3- Guided Leadership | December 6 from 4:00 to 5:30
  •          Session 4- Planning | January 10 from 4:00 to 5:30
  •          Session 5- Presenting | February 7 from 4:00 to 5:30

 

Leadership Academy Monthly Workshops

Members 12+, 4-H Age

This is a statewide opportunity for 4-H members 12 and older, to build a network of 4-H teen leaders across Montana and to be connected with the State Ambassador Officer Teams.

The leadership academy will take the energy and engagement found at Teen Leader & Ambassador Fall Training events and stretch it out over 7 months! This also allows the opportunity for more scheduled interaction with the ambassador officer team, meaningful responsibility for county ambassadors and accountability for leadership at the local level where it is needed. There will be registration for these monthly virtual workshops and members will be expected to attend as many as possible. County Leadership groups should plan to meet face to face whenever possible and engage in the virtual statewide workshop together.

These workshops are planned for Sunday afternoons from 2:30 to 3:30 on December 13, January 17th, February 21st, March 14th, April 11th, May 16th and June 13th. More information can be found HERE.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
 

Canadian Western Agribition

Canadian Western Agribition is going virtual this year, which means their youth livestock judging competition is open to Montana youth as well! Entries will be open October 15th and members have until November 8th to judge. The competition is free to enter and gives members a great opportunity to compete internationally! 

 

 International Program for Young Adults (IPYA/IFYE)

This international program is for former 4-H members ages 18-30.  It is for independent people who are interested in learning more about agriculture in primarily European countries.  The Montana 4-H Foundation funds more than 50% of the cost of participation.  Applications are due November 15.  Contact the Extension Office for more information.

  

International Exchange – Summer 2021 Outboard Program

As of now, plans are still underway for the 2021 International Exchange program!  Applications are due November 15th for youth and chaperones participating in 2021 summer outboard program.  Refunds will be issued if the program is cancelled due to COVID.  For more information, contact the Extension.  Here are the locations and details:

  •          Argentina - New in 2021! (24 June- 12 July 2021). $1895 + Airfare.
  •          Costa Rica (June-July 2021). Ages 15-18.
  •          Japan 4-week (July- August 2021) Ages 14-18.
  •          Japan 8-week (June- August 2021). Ages 14-18.
  •          New Zealand (July 2021 -for 23 days).
  •          Finland (June- July 2021). Ages 15-18.
  •          South Korea (July-August 2021). Ages 14-18.
  •          Taiwan (June-28 July 2021). Ages 14-18.
  •          Romania (unspecified dates) Ages 15-18

  $1500 deposit due with applications