January 2023

We moved! Visit us at our new URL: montana.edu/4H

Consider hosting the following 4-H Youth:

• 2 Norwegian Delegates for approximately 4 weeks, mid-to end of June
• 13 Japanese Delegates for approximately 4 weeks, mid-to end of July
• 2 Japanese Delegates for the Academic Year Program beginning in August (lasting approximately August through June)

Experience cultural exchanges firsthand and broaden your global experience. More information contact Christine Sommers-Austin at c.sommersaustin@montana.edu

Montana 4-H REC Lab Proposals

District 4 (northeast Montana) invites you to submit workshop propsals for the 2023 Montana 4-H REC Lab March 17-19, 2023 in Culbertson, MT. Both teen & adult workshop presenters are welcome to submit a proposal.

Please contact your local extension office for a propsal form.

Complete and return it to Shelley Mills in the Valley County MSU Extension Office at smills@montana.edu. 

The theme for Rec Lab is “Rendezvous 4-H,” celebrating early life in Montana.    

This event provides an opportunity for youth and adults to enhance their leadership, communication and team building skills in an action-packed and interactive setting.  Rec Lab programming provides participants with tips and tricks for being a better club, camp, and community leader.  

Thanks for sharing and submitting workshop proposals! 

January 16-17: Legislative Breakfast  

The Legislative Breakfast provides an opportunity to educate Montana legislators about the work and success of 4-H in the state. It brings together youth and adult constituents from across Montana to share stories of achievement drawn from their 4-H experiences.  The breakfast also reinforces the vital role of the MSU Cooperative Extension Service budget, which supports 4-H in Montana communities.    

The advocacy group, Montanans for 4-H, organizes and hosts the Legislative Breakfast with help from private donations and other support.  

Deadline February 1: People Partner Grants Application Due 

These grants provide incentives and financial support to groups and individuals for programs that enhance the quality of living for people in their communities. View more details about the application process for People Partner Grants online. 

Deadline February 14: Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications  

Scholarships and grants provide opportunities for youth and adults to strengthen their skills and maximize their positive impacts on the communities in which they live.Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship Details and Applications are available on the 4-H Foundation website. 

February 17-19: Montana 4-H Volunteer Institute 

Join us for essential training and meaningful connections with statewide 4-H Volunteers!  

This event is open to all Montana 4-H Volunteers and will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Billings, Montana.  

 Learn more about the Montana 4-H Volunteer Institute.  

March 3-5: Montana 4-H State Shoot 

The 28th Annual Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational will be held in Bozeman on March 3-5, 2023.  This event is open to all enrolled 4-H members ages 9-19 in the Shooting Sports Projects.  The registration will open on January 13, 2023, and close on February 24, 2023.  Please see the State Website for all information regarding the State Shoot.  The events held at the State Shoot are Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Smallbore Rifle, Smallbore Pistol, Target Archery, and 3D Archery.   

The State Shoot will serve as the qualifier for the Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Smallbore Rifle, and Smallbore Pistol events.  The top 4 individuals in each event will be invited to represent the State of Montana at the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships to be held in Grand Island, Nebraska, June 25 – 30, 2023.  Those individuals trying out for the Sporter Air Rifle Team must compete in Sporter 3P and Sporter Standing.  The top 4 finishers will be determined from the combined scores from these two events.   

To attend the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, participants must have passed their 14th birthday by January 1, 2022, of the current year and may not have passed their 19th birthday before January 1 of the current year in which the championships are held.

We hope to see you in Bozeman in March.  Good luck, shoot straight, and have fun!

March 17-19: Montana 4-H Recreation Lab 

Start planning your trip to Culbertson Montana!  

Montana 4-H District 8 invites you to Rendezvous 4-H March 17-19, 2023.  

What is Rec Lab? It sounds like a funny name for a 4-H event. Rec Lab stands for Recreation Lab and means that everything is hands-on and fun! This event is a 4-H member favorite and provides an opportunity for youth and adults to enhance their leadership, communication and team building skills in an action packed and interactive setting. Rec Lab is designed to provide participants with tips and tricks for being a better club, camp and community leader.  

Registration will open in February in 4h.zsuite. All 4-H members 13 4-H age+, volunteers and MSU Extension staff welcome.  

Look for more information on workshops and speakers coming soon. 

Congratulations, Cade Duran! 

Montana 4-H alumni and collegiate 4-H president Cade Duran was selected as the lead collegiate facilitator for National 4-H Conference. Congratulations, Cade! 

Congratulations, Roni Baker! 

"The Billings Chamber of Commerce announces that Roni Baker, Yellowstone County 4-H/Youth Development Extension Agent, has been selected as the Billings Chamber 2022 recipient of the Award for Agriculture Excellence. 

With 25 years of commitment to serving others through 4-H and Extension Service in Yellowstone County, across Montana, and nationally, Baker truly embodies this award. Presented by Stockman Bank, this award recognizes an individual, business or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the Billings agricultural community with a nod to their demonstrated excellence in their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and participation in civic, service and community organizations."