The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State Universi-ty 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 mari-tal and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agricul-ture, Jeff Bader, Director of Extension, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.

Ravalli County

4-H News

Katelyn Andersen MSU Extension Agent MSU Ravalli County Extension 215 South 4th Street Suite G Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6611 Fax: (406) 375-6606

katelyna@montana.edu ravalli@montana.edu www.msuextension.org/ravalli www.montana4h.org

Contact Us

February 2017

What’s Inside

4-H Calendar & News 2

4-H Events 3

Reference Information 5

4-H Meetings 9

Dear 4-H Families – February marks the start of our seventh year of grant funding for our 4-H Mentoring Partnership program. The funding is through National 4-H Council and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). It has been a successful way to connect more youth to the 4-H program and we are one of two sites in the state of Montana! The 4-H Mentoring Partnership connects youth in Ravalli County who are considered at-risk with an adult or teen in the community to create a mentoring relationship. Most of the mentoring experiences take place during afterschool hours, either on school campuses or at organizations in the community, such as public libraries. Currently, Ravalli County has 22 mentors serving 56 youth in the Hamilton, Darby, and Corvallis school districts. The mentoring program has not extended to other communities due to funding constraints, though collaborating with other non-profits to reach out to area youth has been beneficial. Through partnerships with organizations, resources are leveraged to expand services to provide summer workshops and Family Night Out activities. Currently, the program collaborates with Rotary International, The Bitterroot Cares for Kids Network of Ravalli County, Darby Library, as well as the schools in the served communities. This past summer, the youth in the mentoring program attended the Ravalli County 4-H summer camp for the first time since the start of the grant six years ago. Many of these children do not regularly experience the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, learn how to navigate a canoe or have the social skills to meet and secure a best friend. 4-H Camp provided these opportunities and created lifetime memories. As a result of the 4-H Mentoring Partnership, youth and adults create a stronger, community in Ravalli County. If you would like to be a mentor or financially contribute to the program, please contact our office. Have a great February!

Katelyn Andersen MSU Extension Agent

The 4-H Mentoring Partnership offers a wide variety of experiential

activities with a focus on STEM, which is short for Science,

Technology, Engineering and Math. Experiencing STEM through our

mentoring program, at-risk kids can find a purpose and potentially

secure job in the STEM fields.

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February February 1 McDonald’s Deadline February 2 New 4-H Family Orientation Night February 8 Quality Assurance at Cowpoke February 9 Horse Council meeting February 11 4-H Fun Day & Cloverbud Day February 11 Cowboy Ball Fundraiser February 15 Quality Assurance geared for Goat February 17-19 Winter Teen Camp February 18 Bitterroot 4-H Archery Shoot February 19 Mandatory Horse Clinic February 23 Livestock Sale Committee Meeting February 24 Summer Camp Counselor App Deadline February 28 Quality Assurance geared for Sheep

March & Beyond

March 18 Tack Swap March 19 Mandatory Horse Clinic March 20 Advisory Council Meeting March 31-Apr 2 Rec Lab in Miles City April 1 4-H Carnival April 1 RC 4-H Scholarship Deadline April 17 Small Animal Committee Meeting April 23 Mandatory Horse Clinic April 24 Competition Day 1 April 27 Competition Day 2 April 26 Quality Assurance geared for Swine May 1 Add/ Drop Deadline May 13-14 Horse Camp May 15 Advisory Council Meeting May 16 Swine Weigh In May 19 Mandatory Horse Clinic May 31 Sheep/ Goat Weigh In June 2 Quality Assurance June 15 Livestock Committee Meeting July 18-21 Junior Summer Camp

4-H News:

4-H Alumni Camp Scholarship Raffle

“Sunrise Ranch” framed canvas print

donated by local artist Steve Wilson.

Tickets are 1 for $1 or 6 for $5.

Winning ticket will be drawn at the 4-H Carnival,

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 4-7 PM at the Fairgrounds.

Raffle tickets are available from the

Extension Office or from Alumni members.

Project Book Orders Book orders will be placed through MSU Publications on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. The order fee is $3.00 for every order placed, large or small. All book orders must be paid in full when placing the order. Project books can also be ordered online at store.msuextension.org

McDonalds Scholarship

for 4-H/FFA Livestock Members New or current 4-H/FFA members have the opportunity to receive a scholarship of up to $500 for purchase of feed or project animal. These funds are geared to help a youth purchase a project animal and sell the animal at the Ravalli County Fair. Interested members need to complete the application and submit by February 1 to: MSU Extension Office, Attn: McDonald’s Livestock Scholarship Program, 215 S. 4th St, Ste G, Hamilton, MT 59840.

Barnyard Bunch Tack Swap

Save the Date Date: Saturday, March 18 Time: 8:00 AM—2:00 PM

Location: Lone Rock School

Pack Goat Project

Just a reminder to all goat members — if you intend to participate in the pack goat or cart goat competition at this year’s fair you must be entered in the pack goat project. Submit an add/drop to the Extension office by May 1st for pack goat.

4-H Calendar and News

Scheduled activities are subject to change. If you have any questions, please call the Extension Office for updated information at 375-6611. All items for the next month’s newsletters must be submitted by the 20th of each month

and be limited to 100 words or less. Newsletter items can be emailed to raval-li@montana.edu or delivered to the Ex-tension Office. Check out the Ravalli County 4-H website at:

http://www.msuextension.org/ravalli

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Ravalli County 4-H Education Scholarship Deadline: April 1, 2017—in hand to the Extension Office Due to: MSU/Ravalli County Extension Office Request scholarship application from the Extension Office.

The funds for the 2017 Ravalli County 4-H Advisory Council Scholarships came from the interest from the endowment invest with the Montana 4-H Foundation in February 2013.

Two $250 scholarships are available to help current and former Ravalli County 4-H members. The funds will be used to help two (2) students start or continue their education at a recognized college/university/institution of higher education. The recipient must be Ravalli County 4-H members an/or Ravalli County 4-H Alumni..

4-H Events: In the county:

New 4-H Family Orientation Night Date: Thursday, February 2 Time: 6:30 PM

Location: MSU Extension Office

Please RSVP: by Tuesday, January 31 to 375-6611

Come learn the basics about 4-H, what it has to offer and how to get started on the right foot in the program. Light snacks are provided.

Competition Day 2016 Date: Monday, April 24 (Junior Stir Ups and Senior Speech & Demo) and Thursday, April 27 (All other competitions) Time: Depends on event you will participate in, starts after the school day at 4 PM Location: Corvallis School

The Speech & Demo Day, Stir-Ups, Visual Arts and Fashion Revue into one week. Compete in all four or just one! Awards ceremony for all events will take place at 7 PM on Thursday, April 27 after the Fashion Revue. Everyone is welcome to come see a great day of kids in 4-H. Questions? Contact the Extension Office.

Quality Assurance If you plan to sell in the upcoming Ravalli County 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale this fair, you will need to take Livestock Quality Assurance: once for youth 4-H age 13 and under and once for youth 4-H age 14 and over.

If you were 14 on Oct 1, 2016, you will need to take Quality Assurance again this year.

February 15, 6 PM, Cowpoke Ranch Supply – geared for Goat, open to all livestock members needing Quality Assurance.

February 28, 6 PM, Cowpoke Ranch Supply – geared for Sheep, open to all livestock members needing Quality Assurance.

Three Quality Assurance topics will be covered including Food Safety, Animal Health and Ethics in raising animal projects. This seminar is designed to help 4-H or FFA youth and families raise an animal which will provide a safe and wholesome product for consumers.

Save the Date:

Upcoming Livestock Quality Assurance Dates: For all the quality assurance workshops, a chili dinner is provided, please bring with you a dessert or a side dish, such as chips or cheese.

April 26, 6 PM, Cowpoke Ranch Supply – geared for Swine, open to all livestock members needing Quality Assurance

June 2, 6 PM, Cowpoke Ranch Supply – open to all livestock members needing Quality Assurance

Livestock Quality Assurance Guidelines:

A 4-H or FFA member will be required to take LQA two times: once for youth 4-H age 13 and under and once for youth 4-H age 14 and over.

Upcoming Livestock Weigh/Tag/Dates: Swine Weigh In – May 16 at Fairgrounds

Sheep/Goat Weigh In – May 31 at Fairgrounds

Livestock Sale Committee

Date: Thurs, Jan 19 Time: 7 PM Location: Stevi Main Street Association Come discuss and sign up to help do some leg work for the Livestock Sale. Questions? Contact Extension Office, 375-6611

4-H Events

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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

4-H Advisory Council Meetings

Please make sure your club has a voice at the Ravalli County 4-H Advisory Council meetings! Send a teen or leader to represent your club at meetings. Mark your calendar for these 4-H Council Meeting dates:

Monday, March 20, Hamilton Monday, May 15, Hamilton Monday, July 24, TBD

The meeting will start at 6:30 PM and specific location will be in the newsletter.

Winter Teen Camp Dates: February 17-19, 2017 (Friday-Sunday) Times: Camp starts 6 PM on Friday, ends at 9 AM on Sunday Ages: 4-H Age 13-19 (Age of youth on Oct. 1, 2016) and chaperones Registration Deadline: Friday, January 27, 2017 – complete forms and return to Extension Office Cost: $40 for Ravalli County Youth, $75.00 (Out of County), write checks to Ravalli County 4-H. For Ravalli County youth, transportation will be provided from Stevensville to the camp. Activities include fun workshops, private pool and gym party at the athletic club, karaoke, dance, and more. Questions? Contact the Ravalli County Extension Office at 375-6611. Detailed information about the event will be sent to campers two weeks after registration closes.

Horse Save the Dates:· Mandatory Horse Clinics:

Date: February 19, 2017 - Record Books/QA Time: 1– 4 PM Location: Fairgrounds Date: March 19, 2017 - Riding Clinic and Assessment Time: 10 AM – 3 PM Location: Corvallis Fire Dept. Date: May 19, 2017 - Combined clinic to include record books/QA and Riding Clinic and Assessments. Location: Fairgrounds Time: 5:00 PM–6:30PM Record Book and QQ 6:30 PM— 9 PM Riding Clinic These clinics are being offered instead of the Spring Clinic in April and are mandatory for those enrolled in the horse project. Members must attend one record book/QA and one riding clinic and assessment. If a member misses the two required clinics then they will not be eligible to show at the Fair Horse Show.

Cowboy Ball Fundraiser Date: February 11, 2017 Time: 4 pm to 12 midnight Location: First Interstate Building, Fairgrounds

The horse project members will be holding their fundraiser at Cowboy Ball by selling desserts, pop and water. Horse members are asked to sign up to work a two hour shift and to bring some desserts by contacting Shawnna or following the emailed link to SignUpGenius.com. Members are asked to wear black, western jeans and white western shirt when working their shift. Please watch for more information via email or

contact Shawnna Medlar at 360-2176 or smmedlar@hotmail.com.

*Save the Date* Horse Camp: May 13 & 14, 2017

Innovate! 4-H Committee

We are looking for parents to help coordinate 4-H project meetings focused on STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. If you are interested in making this happen, contact the Extension Office to help find volunteers to teach workshops and create an environment for our members to learn.

4-H Archery Tournament Dates

February 4 - Ennis 4-H Archery Shoot February 18 - Big Timber Archery Shoot February 18 - Choteau County Archery Shoot February 18 – Bitterroot 4-H Archery Shoot March 3-5 - State 4-H Shoot: Archery, Air, & Smallbore June 25-June 30, 2017 - 4H National Championships: Grand Island, NE Check at the 4-H archery desk to find out when each tournament is coming up and how to register.

4-H Summer Camp 2017 Seeking Counselors Youth Director & Counselor Applications:

Due Friday, February 24, 2017

Who: Counselors (open to all youth 4-H Age 14 and up)

It’s time to start planning for the 2017 4-H Camp! This year’s 4-H Junior Camp will be held July 18-21 at Loon Lake, Bigfork. Camp training and planning will take place on an evening night and an all-day retreat on the weekend.

Applications are available at the Ravalli County 4-H website.

Chaperones: If you are interested in being a camp chaperone, it is strongly encouraged to attend the camp planning meetings.

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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

4-H Events—In the State:

Save the Date for Montana 4-H Rec Lab Miles City

March 31 – April 2, 2017 District 8 Counties will be hosting this year in Miles City and has begun planning a great event. This date is a change from some previous documents you may have seen and on the 4-H website.

2017 Open Gate Ranch donation Heifer

The Open Gate Ranch of Fairfield, Montana is awarding a heifer to a youth at the 2017 Golden Triangle Preview Show in Great Falls on April 22, 2017. Any youth between the ages of 8 and 18 are eligible to compete, whether belonging to a youth organization or not. Contest rules for the 2017 Open Gate Ranch donation heifer found at www.opengateranch.com. The deadline for the essay will be April 1, 2017. For more information, contact Julie at (406) 590-4063.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Who: 4-H members ages 14-19. When: Requested June 10-17, 2017. Cost: Approximately $1600 per person Scholarship(s): Susan Dufner for one person 17+ (amount varies annually) Application due January 15, 2017 with a $650 deposit

Leadership Washington Focus (LWF) Who: 4-H members in grades 7-9 When: July 16-21, 2017 Cost: Approximately $1,600 per person Application due January 15, 2017 with a $650 deposit

National 4-H Conference

Who: In-depth leadership conference for three (3) teens and one (1) adult chaperone When: April, 2017 Application due February 1, 2017. Cost: Sending counties usually provide funds for participants after the 4-H Foundation contribution is applied

Chaperones Chaperones (age 25+) are needed for all of the citizenship programs. Application deadlines are the same for chaperones as for participants. Chaperones do not pay a fee (except for National 4-H Conference which is usually paid sending county).

Reference Information:

4-H Forms and Resources Many 4-H forms and resources are available at our MSU Ravalli County website including:

Registration and event forms

Livestock help books

Project book order forms

Record books

Financial forms for 4-H Clubs Please check out the website at:

http://www.msuextension.org/ravalli/4hforms.html

Animal Learning Lab Kits The 4-H Advisory Council has available the Beef, Sheep, Swine, Dairy, Poultry, Goat, Dog and Rabbit Learning Lab Kits from Ohio Extension 4-H. These kits are your answer for species-specific, hands-on, durable learning materials. Use them in project meetings for teaching and evaluating knowledge of livestock and companion animals. Kits are available on loan through the Extension Office to registered leaders for one week rentals.

Ravalli County Teen Council If you are 13 years old on or before October 1 and you are interested in developing your leadership skills please come to our meetings to see if Teen Council is for you. If you know you want to be involved in Teen Leadership this year, consider signing up on the 4-H registration form for the Teen Leadership Project.

Fundraiser Equipment Fundraiser Equipment available for rent through the 4-H Advisory Council: cotton candy machine, snow cone machine, popcorn machine. There is a banner for clubs to use for fundraisers or community service projects, which reads: “Ravalli County 4-H; Supporting your local youth.” There are also electric coffee pots, which can also be used for hot water or coffee. Each piece of equipment available for rental for $10 (4-H rental fee) or $25 (non-4-H rental fee). Contact LaRee at 961-0123

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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

Committee Meetings

Meetings focus on the overall organization and welcome to all leaders and members. Geared for adults and teen leaders to provide support and assistance to the program.

The listed Committees and County-Wide Project Meetings are currently available to members. If you would like to list a project meeting that is open to all 4-H members, please contact our office with details!

*TBD—To be determined *TBA—To be announced

4-H For Sale Book A 4-H For Sale Book is in the Extension Office for anyone to browse or place flyers of animals for sale, free animals, or other opportunities for sale. Items which are for sale require a price and cannot be a general advertisement for a business, organization or individual.

Project Guidelines and Requirements Members and leaders developed “help books” or Project Guidelines and Requirements manual to help members be successful in their specific project. These are available for download on the website: http://www.msuextension.org/ravalli/4-H_Forms.html These are available online at the Ravalli County 4-H website and for purchase through our office for $.50 each.

Help your child become involved in 4-H 4-H offers many things to do. Here are few other exciting 4-H activities. Look for details in your county 4-H newsletter or ask your club leaders: Club Officer Training (Online): Resources available to teach

youth about leadership roles within their clubs. 4-H Fun Day (Winter): This one day event is full of workshops,

ranging from dance to robotics to crafts for youth age 9-12. Competition Day (Spring): Youth can compete in this one day

event either in all three competitions or just one. Top senior members can compete at State Congress.

Speech and Demo: Participants prepare speeches, illustrated talks and demonstrations and compete at three age levels. Stir-Ups Cooking Competition: Members plan and

prepare a nutritionally balanced meal. Fashion Revue: Members interview and model articles of clothing that they have sewn.

Horse Camp, Summer Junior Camp, Cloverbud Camp or Teen Winter Camp: All camps are overnight experiences of fun,

friends and learning in the great outdoors. Winter Teen Camp is held in February; all others are held in the summer.

Quality Assurance: (Winter and Spring) For any animal project, large or small. Guidelines for a 4-H or FFA member will be required to take QA two times: once for youth 13 and under and once for youth 14 and over.

Weigh In: Livestock members who plan to sell at the Ravalli County Fair must weigh-in at the species-specific weigh-in. Beef and Dairy occurs in January; swine, sheep, and goat occurs in May.

Showmanship Clinic (Summer): A Livestock and Small Animal clinics are held in the summer to help members prepare for the upcoming fair season.

County Fair (Labor Day Weekend): This is an annual event the last week in August to provide an opportunity for 4-H members to exhibit their completed 4-H projects each year.

Special Accommodations If you anticipate needing any type of Special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Extension Office at 375‐6611 in advance of your participation.

4-H License Plates Remember when renewing or purchasing a license plate to consider the 4-H license plate. It is available at the Motor Vehicle Department.

Ravalli County 4-H Advisory Council Meeting Date: Monday, March 20

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Meeting Room across from Extension

Contact: Holly Shupert, 961-4868

Horse Committee Meeting Date: February 9, 2017 Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Kodiak Jax, Stevi

Contact: Shawnna Medlar, 360-2176, smmedlar@hotmail.com

Livestock Committee Meeting Date: June 15

Time: after Livestock Showmanship Clinic Contact: Lee Severson, 777-3313

Newly Formed Livestock Sale Committee Meeting Date: Thursday, February 23 Time: 7 PM

Location: Stevi Main Street Association

Small Animal Committee Meeting (the second Monday in October, April and July )

Date: April 17 Time: 5:30 PM

Location: Meeting Room across from Extension

Contact: April Trull at 210-3164

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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

County wide Project Meetings Geared for members to attend and receive educational support from a volunteer leader. If you see a project missing, can you help?

Aerospace/Rockets Project Meeting Contact: Shawn Boelman, 406-250-4454,

boelmans4@gmail.com

Beekeeping Project Assistance Contact: Tracie Norman, bitterrootbees@gmail.com

Cake Decorating Project Meeting Date: Tuesday, Feb. 21 Time: 7 PM

Location: Meeting Room across from Extension

Contact: Verna or Jocelyn, 360-6152

Cat Project Meeting Contact: Kit Clinnin, 369-0546

Dairy Project Meeting Date: Wednesday, Feb. 8 Time: 6-8 PM Location: Cowpoke Ranch Supply Topic: Quality Assurance Contact: Heidi Martin, 360-1742 or 961-372

Dog Project Meeting Dates Thursdays: 2/2, 2/16, 3/2, 3/16 & 3/30

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Fairgrounds old Arts Building

Required to Participate: Signed contract (found in Forms on website) and a copy of your dog's vaccination record. NO DOG WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE UNTIL I HAVE THIS ON FILE.

Dog Equipment List for Class

Contact: Nicki Arndt at positivechangesllc@yahoo.com 406-369-0707

Entomology Project Meeting Contact: Shawn Boelman, 406-250-4454,

boelmans4@gmail.com

Goat Project Meeting Contact: Heidi Etter, 381-2282 or icknree2@msn.com

Leadership Project Meeting – Teen Council Next Meeting: February 28 at 7 PM, Victor School Rm B

Contact: Holly or Extension Office, 375-6611

North Valley Poultry Meeting (Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)

Date: Tuesday, February 21

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Missoula County Extension office

Please, no birds to the meeting unless you have cleared it with Kristin and Laura prior to the meeting.

All Families welcome. Yes, Cloverbuds and Pre-Cloverbuds

Contact: Laura DeNitto 273-4645 or myfunnyfarm4@msn.com

Horse Save the Dates: Cowboy Ball Fundraiser - February 11, 2017.

Horse Camp - May 13 & 14, 2017

Mandatory Horse Clinic Dates: February 19, 2017 Time: 1– 4 PM Record Books/QA Location: Fairgrounds

Future Mandatory Horse Clinics: March 19, 2017 May 19, 2017

Contact: Shawnna Medlar, 360-2176, smmedlar@hotmail.com

Horse Trail Rides Contact: Elisa Plocher at 381-3504

Outdoor Adventure Date: Monday, Feb 6

Time: 5:00 PM

Location: Meeting Room across from Extension

Contact: Larissa, 381-2234 , lltruc@yahoo.com

Poultry Project Meeting Poultry Superintendent: Kim Harbison, 207-3991

Rabbit Project Meeting Date: Thursday, Feb. 16 Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Meeting Room across from Extension Topic: Breeding

Contact: Katie at 210-0814, junkbunny3@aol.com

Scrapbooking/ Historian Project Meeting Contact: Jocelyn, 360-6152, sniderjocelyn@gmail.com

Page 9 4-H Project Meetings

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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

Ravalli County 4-H Newsletter

Ravalli County 4-H

MSU Ravalli County

February February 1 McDonald’s Deadline February 2 New 4-H Family Orientation Night February 8 Quality Assurance at Cowpoke February 9 Horse Council meeting February 11 4-H Fun Day & Cloverbud Day February 11 Cowboy Ball Fundraiser February 15 Quality Assurance geared for Goat February 17-19 Winter Teen Camp February 18 Bitterroot 4-H Archery Shoot February 19 Mandatory Horse Clinic February 23 Livestock Sale Committee Meeting February 24 Camp Counselor App Deadline February 28 Quality Assurance geared for Sheep

March & Beyond March 18 Tack Swap March 19 Mandatory Horse Clinic March 20 Advisory Council Meeting March 31-Apr 2 Rec Lab in Miles City April 1 4-H Carnival April 1 RC 4-H Scholarship Deadline April 17 Small Animal Committee Meeting April 23 Mandatory Horse Clinic April 24 Competition Day 1 April 27 Competition Day 2 April 26 Quality Assurance geared for Swine May 1 Add/ Drop Deadline May 13-14 Horse Camp May 15 Advisory Council Meeting May 16 Swine Weigh In May 19 Mandatory Horse Clinic May 31 Sheep/ Goat Weigh In June 2 Quality Assurance June 15 Livestock Committee Meeting July 18-21 Junior Summer Camp