Clover Connection February
Alternatively, download a printable version of the February 2024 Cascade County 4-H Clover Connection
Farewell
It is with sadness and excitement for the future that I announce that I will be resigning from my position as the MSU Extension Cascade County 4-H & Youth Development Agent effective February 7. It has been a wonderful 4 years in Montana, but my husband and I have made the decision to move back to Minnesota to be closer to family. I have accepted a position with Minnetonka Community Education as their Adult Programs Manager. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every one of you! Rose Malisani and Katrin Finch will be taking over the 4-H duties while the search for the next 4-H & Youth Development Agent takes place.
Best,
Allyssa Peak, 4-H & Youth Development Agent
Newsletter Drawing
Everyone who emails Jody at cascade@montana.edu by Friday, February 9 with the description of the page you found the heart symbol above will be entered in a drawing to win a 4-H themed prize. The winner will be able to choose from multiple awesome 4-H items. Please include the description of the page you found the symbol, something you learned from the newsletter, and the name(s) of the 4-H’er(s) to be entered into the drawing. Congratulations to the January Newsletter Drawing winner, Ryan T. from the Big Sky Explorers 4-H Club!
Thank You!
Thank you to the following people and businesses that have donated to the Cascade County 4-H Program over the last month!
Chris & Brenda Canine
The Zeller Family Trust
Lorang Land and Cattle
Brad Thurber & DA Davidson
Taylor’s AutoMax
Julie Pribyl
William & Holly Kessler
Greg & Erin Doyon
County Wide Food Drive
The Cascade County 4-H Ambassadors are holding a county wide food drive to benefit the Great Falls Food Bank. The club that donates the highest number of items per club member will win an ice cream party. Bring your donations to the Extension Office by February 20!
Office Closure
The MSU Extension Cascade County Office will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Scholarships
Cascade 4-H Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is available to those who are continuing their education beyond high school. To qualify, applicants must have been a Cascade County 4-H member at the time of their high school graduation. More information and the application can be found at https://montana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bPmne0g2gGP9fLg. Applications and supplemental materials are due by 11:59pm on March 31, 2024.
Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarships
This scholarship is available to those who are continuing their education beyond high school and were Montana 4-H members at the time of their high school graduation. More information and applications can be found at Scholarships - MONTANA 4-H FOUNDATION (mt4hfoundation.org).
Montana Farmers Union 4-H Sentence Grant
Montana Farmers Union is awarding $100 grants to 4-H clubs to further their project work. All you have to do is submit one sentence on how you would use the funds! Apply at Montana Farmers Union | Scholarships & Grants.
UPCOMING CASCADE COUNTY 4-H EVENTS
Communications Contest Results
Congratulations to the following youth who participated in the 2024 Cascade County 4-H Communications Contest!
Career Communications
Seth J. – Blue*
Caleb L. – Blue
Commercial
Maysa S. – Blue
Cowboy Poetry
Nathan F. – Blue
Seth J. – Blue
Elle P. – Blue
Abigail P. – Blue
Grace P. – Blue
Demonstration
Aliona L. – Blue*
Lucia L. – Blue
Boaz & David P. – Cloverbuds
Illustrated Talk
Sterling B. – Blue*
Vivian B. – Blue*
Tristen S. – Blue*
Abigail & Esther P. – Blue
Grace & Esther P. – Blue
Impromptu Speech
Emery N. – Blue*
Taylor S. – Red
Tristen S. – Blue*
Prepared Speech
Levi B. – Blue
Elle P. – Blue*
Taylor S. – Blue
*Indicates youth who qualified for Montana 4-H Congress
New 4-H Family Orientation – Date Change
The next New 4-H Family Orientation will be held on Thursday, February 22 at the Extension Office. There will be a potluck starting at 5:30 and the orientation will start at 6:00. Register for this event on ZSuite by February 11, 2024. The information presented at this orientation will be the same as the information at the October orientation.
Camp Junior Director Applications Open
Applications for Camp Junior Directors (JDs) are now open on ZSuite! JDs plan all aspects of Cascade County 4-H Camp and hold an important leadership role at camp. The qualify to be a JD, youth must be 13 years or older by October 1, 2023, and want to grow in their leadership skills. Applications and a $25 registration fee are due on February 21, 2024. JDs must commit to attending all camp planning meetings and the entirety of camp.
2024 Camp Planning Dates
- February 26: 6-8pm at the Extension Office
- March 25: 6-8pm at the Extension Office
- April 29: 6-8pm at the Extension Office
- June 8: JD Day at Camp Rotary
- June 9-12: Cascade County 4-H Camp at Camp Rotary
CASCADE COUNTY 4-H PROJECT NEWS AND UPDATES
Project Day
Registration is now open for the February 10 Project Day on ZSuite and is due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 7. Available workshops include Rabbit Showmanship, Poultry Showmanship, STARBASE Physics, Cloverbuds, Goat Soap Making (13+years old), Horse Patterns, and Sewing.
Upcoming Workshops
*Subject to Change*
- March 9
- 3D Printing, Cloverbuds, Baking Pies, Livestock Project Marketing, Horse Packing and Trail Riding, and Sewing
- April 13
- Livestock Quality Assurance, Cloverbuds, Sewing, and Horse Driving (off-site)
- May 11
- Baby Blanket Service Project, Cloverbuds, and Record Book Office Hours
Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Live Invitational
The Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders are happy to announce that registration for the 2024 Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational is open on FairEntry! We will be offering archery and air gun again this year. The event will be held at the Exhibition Hall at the Montana ExpoPark on Saturday, February 17. Registration can be found at http://CCSS-shootingsportsinvite.fairentry.com and is due by February 9, 2024. Ask your shooting sports leader for more information!
Montana 4-H State Shooting Sports Invitational
This invitational will offer archery, air gun, and .22 events. It will be in Bozeman March 1-3. Ask your shooting sports instructor for more information about the state shoot.
Cascade County Shooting Sports Members Around the State
Multiple Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports members have been competing in shooting sports events around the state over the last month. Many have wone awards, and all have grown in their shooting ability. Way to go shooting sports members!
Horse Judging Opportunity
If you are looking at and evaluating horses and aspire to judge competitively, we need you! The Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders are planning clinics and training seminars and would love for you to join them. We are looking for eligible youth, 13 and older, that will go to Montana 4-H Congress in July 2024 competing in Horse Judging. The team is hoping to qualify for nationals which is held in Denver in January 2025. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the team, please reach out to Coach Ginger Murphy at 406-217-5010.
Horse Camp
Mark your calendars for Horse Camp May 3-4! This awesome event is held at the 406 Arena in Vaughn. Youth participate in multiple fun and education horse centered workshops and stay overnight at the arena. Registration will be available in April on ZSuite.
North 40 Junior Livestock Feed Program
2024 North 40 Junior Livestock Feed cards are now available at the Extension Office! North 40 graciously offers 10% off on regular priced livestock feed and show supplements to all active, enrolled 4-H members. To receive your discount, you must have a North 40 Junior Livestock Feed Program card and a Cascade County 4-H membership card. Both cards are available at the Extension Office. Some of you may have already received your membership card when you initially enrolled in October.
MEETING NOTICES
Foundation
The next meeting of the Cascade 4-H Foundation will be held on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00pm at the Extension Office. Topics of discussion will include appointing the scholarship committee and program updates.
Shooting Sports Leaders
The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders will be held on Thursday, February 1 at 6:00pm. Topics of discussion will include the live tournament and shotgun grant opportunities.
Horse Leaders
The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders will be held on Tuesday, February 6 at 5:30pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx. Topics of discussion include Horse Camp and clinic planning.
Livestock Leaders
The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Livestock Leaders will be held on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00pm at the Extension Office and via WebEx. Topics of discussion will include planning for the Show and Sale.
IMPORTANT DATES
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity/Event
|
Due
|
---|---|---|---|
1
|
Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting
|
|
|
6
|
Horse and Livestock Leaders Meetings
|
|
|
7
|
|
Communications Contest Make-Up Foods Festival & Stir-Ups Cooking Competition |
|
10
|
|
Project Day
|
|
14
|
|
|
Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications Due
|
17
|
|
Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Live Invitational
|
|
19
|
|
MSU Extension Cascade County Office Closed
|
|
20
|
Foundation Meeting
|
|
|
22
|
|
New 4-H Family Orientation & Potluck
|
|
26
|
|
Camp Planning
|
|
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity/Event
|
Due
|
---|---|---|---|
1-3
|
|
Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational, Bozeman
|
|
5
|
Horse and Livestock Leaders Meeting
|
|
|
7
|
Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting
|
|
|
9
|
|
Project Day
|
|
12
|
Leaders Council
|
|
|
25
|
|
Camp Planning
|
|
31
|
|
|
Cascade 4-H Foundation Scholarships Due
|
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity
|
---|---|---|
2
|
Horse and Livestock Leaders Meetings
|
|
4
|
Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting
|
|
13
|
|
Project Day
|
16
|
Foundation Meeting
|
|
19 - 21
|
|
Rec Lab, Boulder
|
25
|
|
Fashion/Sewing Revue and Quilt Show
|
29
|
|
Camp Planning
|
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity
|
---|---|---|
2
|
Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting
|
|
3 - 4
|
|
Horse Camp
|
7
|
Horse and Livestock Leaders Meetings
|
|
11
|
|
Project Day
|
14
|
Leaders Council Meeting
|
|
27
|
|
MSU Extension Cascade County Office Closed
|
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity
|
---|---|---|
4
|
Horse and Livestock Leaders Meetings
|
|
6
|
Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting
|
|
8
|
|
JD Day at Camp
|
9-12
|
|
Camp
|
23
|
|
Record Book Office Hours
|
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity
|
---|---|---|
4
|
|
MSU Extension Cascade County Office Closed
|
9
|
Leaders Council Meeting
|
|
9-12
|
|
Montana 4-H Congress, Bozeman
|
12-14
|
|
Cascade County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale
|
19-20
|
|
Cascade County 4-H Horse Show and Cascade/Teton Counties 4-H Working Ranch Horse Show
|
21
|
|
Record Book Office Hours
|
25
|
|
Montana State Fair 4-H Static Exhibit Judging
|
26-August 3
|
|
Montana State Fair
|
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity
|
Due
|
---|---|---|---|
11
|
|
Record Book Office Hours
|
|
20
|
|
|
Record Books Due to Club Leaders
|
Date
|
Meeting
|
Activity
|
Due
|
---|---|---|---|
2
|
|
MSU Extension Cascade County Office Closed
|
|
3
|
Horse and Livestock Leaders Meetings
|
|
Award Nominated Record Books Due to Extension Office
|
5
|
Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting
|
|
|
10
|
Leaders Council Meeting
|
|
|
17
|
Foundation Meeting
|
|
|
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