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A Letter from the Extension Agent

Happy new 4-H year!  This month, I’d like to welcome Jessica Erickson to the office as our new Extension Administration Assistant and Fair Manager.  As a 4-H leader and parent, I know she’ll hit the ground running!  Learn more about Jessica on page 3.  Please stop by or call to welcome her to the office.  I’ll be taking some leave this fall to spend time with my new baby girl.  However, Jessica will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding 4-H enrollment or anything else!

As we start the new 4-H year, please keep in mind that 4-H may continue to look a little different for some time.  Our goal is to continue to keep our 4-H families safe and healthy and will plan programs when it is feasible to do so following the COVID guidelines from the University, Montana 4-H and the Governor’s Office.  Please be patient if things don’t seem quite as busy as normal with meetings and workshops.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to your leaders or the office if you need any direction to get started or have questions.

Sincerely, Allison Kosto- Extension Agent

 

WELCOME TO THE 2020-2021 4-H YEAR!

Re-Enrollment 

It is time to begin re-enrolling!  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. 

If you do not have internet access at home, we have a public computer at the office to help you through the process.  Unlike 4HOnline, ZSuites is supposed to be more mobile friendly, but please don’t hesitate to stop by if you have any problems re-enrolling or wish to use our computer. 

Remember, if you plan on taking a 4-H project to fair, you must be enrolled in that project.  If you know anyone interested in joining 4-H, have them contact the Office. 

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 October 30th.  The report is available online and has been emailed to leaders.

Achievement Night

The date for Achievement Night has been set for Tuesday, November 10th.  However, it will look a little different this year.  Even during a pandemic, you have had an amazing 4-H year and deserve to be recognized!  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. 

 

National 4-H Week

Join over 6 million young people, 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4-H professionals to celebrate America’s largest youth organization during National 4-H Week on October 4-10!  The theme this year is Opportunity 4 All!  This theme highlights how 4-H believes that every child should have equal opportunity to succeed. The positive environment provided by 4-H volunteers ensures that kids in every county in the country are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles and are empowered with the skills to lead in life and career.  Check out the National 4-H Week toolkit for more ideas!

  

 

 

COUNTYWIDE 4-H ACTIVITIES


Carcass Evaluation

Carcass data can be found here.  Goat results have been added since the last newsletter.  Prior to Fair, the Livestock Committee made the decision not to hold a formal contest this year.  There were some challenges collecting data this year to due to COVID and processors being so busy.  As a result, we were only able to collect data for a few goats, lambs and hogs. No beef data was collected this year.  Carcass information is the foundation of the market livestock project, so I encourage you to check it out.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the office or the Livestock Committee.

COMMITTEE & COUNCIL MEETINGS

4-H COUNCIL:

Next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend). The committee will be electing officers and preparing for Achievement Night. Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items.

 
INDOOR COMMITTEE:

Next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 27th 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: 

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 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

Sewing Workshop

The first workshop of the new 4-H year will be Saturday, October 10th at 9:30 am at the Extension Office (416 Broadway Street, former Opportunity Bank Building, Townsend).  Please bring your sewing machine. Sewing workshops are typically the second Saturday of the month.  If you have any questions, contact Sarah Holland at 406.266.3473.

 

Poultry Workshop

Calling all poultry members to our first meeting on Saturday, October 17th, 3pm to 4pm, at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds.  We'll be learning "All About Ducks".  If you own a duck, please bring it/them with you.  You can give a presentation to our group to count towards your livestock points or as an activity for your project book.  We'll be learning about different breeds, the parts of a duck, and how to present a duck to the judge.  Even if you don't plan on having ducks in the future, it's really important to cross train on all poultry types so you're better prepared for the show, and also more fully educated about poultry in general.  Please call Alice at 406.547.4343 with any questions.

 

Rabbit Workshop

The first workshop of the new 4-H year will be Saturday, October 3rd at 3:00 pm at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. No rabbits need to come to this meeting, as it will be a fair review and prepping for the upcoming year. Please bring your books and paper.  If you have any questions, contact Katrina Warburton at 406.595.0402.

 

Teen Club

The first meeting of the new year will be Monday, October 19th at 6:30 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

 

STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES

Montana 4-H Leadership Academy

Open to 4-H Members 12 years or older (as of October 1, 2020).

Join the Montana 4-H Ambassador Officer Team for the LEADERSHIP LAUNCH on Saturday, October 17 from 3-5 PM.  This is a statewide opportunity to build a network of 4-H teen leaders across Montana and connect them directly with State Ambassador Officer Team and statewide resources to develop capacity for leadership skills and practice these leadership skills at the local level. The leadership academy will take the energy and engagement found at Teen Leader & Ambassador Fall Training and stretch it out over 10 months! This allows the opportunity for more interaction with the state officer team, meaningful responsibility for teen leaders and accountability for leadership at the local level where it is needed.  Registration and more details can be found at montana4h.org.  The Academy will continue monthly through June.  Dates and details will be coming soon!

Make It with Wool Contest

It is time to start preparing for the Make It with Wool Contest.  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 this Fall and then already have an outfit finished for your sewing project the year?  Here are the important details:

  •          Fabric and/or yarn needs to be a minimum of 60% wool to qualify for the contest.
  •          The District 3 contest is November 7th in Great Falls.  Entry forms are due October 10th. 
  •          There is a $7.00 entry fee per swatch of fabric used and wool yarn used.
  •          The categories are Preteen (12 and under); Junior (13-16); Senior (17-24); Adult (ages 25 and older); and Made for Others.  Age is determined as of January 1st, 2020.
  •          First place winners advance to the State competition which will be held during the Montana Wool Grower’s Convention in Billings on December 4th – 5th.
  •          There is a Quilt, Applique Project, and Afghan Contest as well.  There is a $10 entry fee and entry forms are due November 1st.  Quilts and Afghans will be sent and need to be postmarked no later than November 15th.

Entry forms are available at the Extension Office.  For more general questions, go to https://makeitwithwool.com.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES


International Program for Young Adults (IPYA/IFYE)

This 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 or Stephanie Davison at [email protected] for more information.

International Exchange – Summer 2021 Outboard Program

Applications are due November 15th for youth and chaperones participating in 2021 summer outboard program.  For more information, contact the Extension Office or Stephanie Davison at [email protected].  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

 

 More About Me…
  

Hi everyone! I am very excited to be starting this new adventure at the MSU Extension office. I will be working a lot with the 4-H program and trying to help out wherever I can! Part of my position is being the Fair manager as well. Some of my best memories growing up in Broadwater County was the summer fair and rodeo!

I have two kids in 4-H. Grady has been in 4H for 5 years and Bryleigh for 3 years (plus 2 as a Cloverbud!).  Some of the projects we have been involved in are poultry, robotics, outdoor adventures, Exchange, 22 rifle, photography, horse, virtual arts, cake decorating, baking, and recently we started into the swine and sheep projects. I started last year as the Cake Decorating project leader, and I am on the Indoor Committee as well.

Like I said earlier, I am excited to be able to become more involved with our wonderful 4-H program!

If I can help in any way, please let me know!

Jessica Erickson - MSU Extension Broadwater County -Broadwater County Fair Manager