Cascade County 4-H Clover Connection November Newsletter

Alternatively, download a printable version of the
November 2025 Cascade County 4-H Clover Connection

Thank You!

Thank you to the following people and businesses who donated to the Cascade County 4-H Program over the last month!

William Kessler

MBHA

Lorang Land & Cattle

Cascade County MSU Extension

Robert Shipek

4-H Registration for the 2025-2026 4-H Year is Open

The new 4-H year is here! Registration opened at midnight on October 1^st. There are how-tos for the process on the Cascade County MSU Extension website4-H pages. Also, please see the reminder on page 4. If you have questions, please call the office at 406-454-6980.

4-H Volunteers

Do you know someone that would like to help with project areas of 4-H? Our county is always looking for new volunteers. Please have them contact Jenn at Jennifer.volkmar@ montana.edu

Office Closure

The Extension Office will be closed Tuesday November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day.

Did you know?

4-H Summer Outbound programs provide American 4-H youth with the opportunity to travel to foreign countries for a month-long cultural immersion experience. Delegates live with volunteer host families and engage in experiential learning about a new way of life.

Delegates experience aspects of daily life that allow them to more deeply understand both their host culture and their own culture. Our network of like-minded international partners recruit host families and plan enrichment activities.

Eligibility

4-H youth ages 12 - 17 for South Korea, ages 12 - 18 for Japan 4-week and Taiwan, and ages 15 - 18 for Japan 8-week, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Norway Program Information

• Adult chaperones accompany the group during international travel and remain in-country to provide
• States’ 4-H provides Program Handbooks that cover everything from packing lists to financial matters to cultural
• 4-H conducts group conference calls and a National Departure Orientation prior to international travel.
• No prior language study is required, but it certainly is helpful! Our international partners have English-speaking staff on hand to assist you in

4-H Shooting Sports Leader Trainings

There are several upcoming opportunities to become a certified 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor. If you’re interested in attending any training, please let the Extension Office know and we can provide more information on registering and assistance with travel and training cost reimbursement.

• Montana 4-H is partnering with North Dakota 4-H for an Archery Instructor Training on October 25, 2025 in Williston, Pre- registration is required by October 17^th. If you are interested in attending, please contact the office for more information.
• There are three (3) trainings scheduled for the month of The registrations will open on October 1, 2025 at 8:00 am for all three leader trainings.
  • December 5-7, 2025 – Miles City, Montana. The following disciplines will be offered:
    • Rifle
    • Pistol
    • Archery
    • Shotgun
    • Western Heritage – Saturday evening and Sunday
  • December 5-6, 2025 – Belgrade, The following disciplines will be offered:
    • Rifle
    • Pistol
    • Archery
    • Coordinator

• December 12-13, 2025 – Kalispell, Montana. The following disciplines will be offered:
  • Rifle
  • Pistol
  • Archery
  • Shotgun
  • Muzzleloader
  • Hunting Skills
  • Coordinator

As of right now, we are in need of more instructors for rifle, pistol, archery, and shotgun. We would love to have you join us in teaching these disciplines.

Our Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator can be reached at cascadecoshootingsports@gmail.com if you have any questions on what being an instructor entails or any other question on the projects.

Thank You NRA Foundation!

Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports is excited and grateful to announce we have received an NRA grant. This grant allows us to continue supporting our program that focuses on youth development in the area of responsible use along with focusing on the principles of hunting and archery.

A huge thank you to the NRA for believing in our work and supporting our youth.

November Project Day

The November 8th Project Day will be held at the MSU Extension Office from 9am-12pm. Please make sure to pay attention to workshop times so you do not double book your child. Sign up closes Wednesday November 5th.

Remember to sign in for club points.

Cloverbuds are only allowed to participate in the Cloverbud Workshop and need to make surethey come for only this sessionYouth do not need to be enrolled in the project to participate in the Project Day workshop.

Registration closes on Wednesday, November 5th at 11:59 pm.

Workshops:

Cake Decorating: 9:00-10:30 am

Did you know this was a 4-H project? Want to learn to transform a simple cake into a visually stunning and delicious masterpiece? Join in the basics of our beginning cake decorator series.

Livestock: 9:00am-10:30am

Please join the Livestock Leaders to learn more about the projects offered (animal selection, record books, budgeting), changes to rule book and new requirements. NEW livestock families should plan to attend to understand expectations for the show and sale. Please bring your record books!

Cloverbuds: 10:30am-12:00pm

Cloverbuds will join the Cascade County 4-H Ambassadors to learn about a fun 4-H project as well as practice the 4-H pledge.

Horse: 10:30am-12:00pm

Equine First Aid

Miya with South Peak Veterinary

Services will cover basic equine first aid and what supplies to have on hand. She will also have some first aid kits on hand and available for purchase.

Star Base: 10:30am-12:00pm 

They are back! We are happy to say they are joining us to share about

what they teach and a bit on Newton's 3 Laws of Motion and then build and launch straw rockets.

Dance Session: 9:00am-10:30am

Get ready to move and have fun. Participants will learn basic dance techniques, explore rhythm and coordination, and work together to create some great line dance group routines. No prior dance experience needed just bring your energy and enthusiasm to learn for future upcoming County Wide Dances!

Food Preservation 101: 10:30-12:00

Come learn what you can do for your next project, from canning to freezing and more.

What’s Up with 4-H

Let us know what you are doing in 4-H in Cascade County!

We would love to have you submit photos and/or blurbs from and about events and activities you’re participating in or updates on your projects throughout the year. Show off your skills and tell us what you love about what you’re doing in 4-H!

Reminder for ZSuite Sign ups!

Welcome to a new year!

When signing up, please remember:

• Members must complete the Member Authorization of the Family Code of Conduct Waiver to finalize enrollment, not the parent.
• If you are signing up for Market or Breeding, you also need to sign up for a Level.
• Make sure your years in a Level are between 1 and 3. You will not receive project books if these are not within this range.
• If you are signing up for a Committee, please make sure that your 4-H Club is Primary, not the committee.

Organizational Leaders

• The club attendance file will be updated by the end of October as most members will be signed up by then.

Committee Executive Boards

• If you are a member of the executive board on a committee, please sign up as an Organizational Leader for that committee, not just a volunteer on it.

Don Greytak Calendars

A tradition continues!

Calendars featuring drawings by artist Don Greytak are available at the Extension office for $15.00. They make a great gift.

County Wide Dance!

Coming Soon November 23rd!

Get ready to dance, dance, dance! Our 4-H Ambassadors are hosting a countywide dance for all members to enjoy.

Details on how to sign up and when the event will take place will be shared soon. Keep an eye out on your email and social media. Don’t miss this fun opportunity to connect with other Cascade County friends and celebrate the 4-H spirit.

         4-H Project & Member Spotlights           

Communication & Expressive Arts

From filmmaking to photography, our communication arts programs and curricula emphasize artistic expression and communication. 4‑H’s visual arts programs include both print and digital media so youth have the opportunity to use the latest technology. Our theater programs teaches communication skills, creative thinking, improvisation and writing.

Baking

Baking 1 helps first-year baking members learn baking basics — nutrition, measuring and kitchen safety. Learn the basics of baking by making quick breads and cookies.

Food Preservation

This advanced-level project is designed to help you home preserve produce - from your garden, a store, or a farmer's market - so that you can enjoy nutritious fruits and vegetables all year. The pressure canning method is not covered in this project.

Members will explore different home preservation methods, understand how a food's pH determines which home food preservation method to use, gather the proper equipment for water bath canning, rack when produce becomes ripe, learn how to home preserve produce using the freezing method and home preserve applesauce using the water bath canning method.

Member Spotlight: Rial McGregor

Throughout the year, we’ll be highlighting and celebrating our members in the newsletter! This is a great way to get to know each other, share experiences, and showcase the wonderful people who make our program strong. Be on the lookout for upcoming spotlights. This month our Member Spotlight is Rial McGregor from the 468 Club !

Q: How long have you been involved in Forage/4-H?

A:11 years

Q: What inspired you to join?

A:I enjoy raising steers and market to the buyers around sale time.

Q: Advise he would give:

A:I would say to all the younger members that this program will teach you skills and help you make connection that will last a lifetime.

Q: Interests or hobbies outside of 4-H:

A:Outside of 4-H I dirt bike and trap shoot in high school. I really like working on engines and vehicles in my spare time

Q: A fun fact about you (something people may not know):

A:I've worked at Mtn View Co-op for a year and a half.

Q: Your favorite memory or experience so far:

A: My favorite memory is showing my first steer in market and winning reserve champion in my first year of steers.

Q: Future goals or dreams:

A:My future goals are to attend MSU Bozeman for mechanical engineering.

Scholarships and Other Financial Opportunities

Farm Service Agency (FSA) Youth Loans

FSA makes loans to individual young persons to start and operate income- producing projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H, FFA, tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization. The project being financed with an FSA Youth Loan needs to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills. Call the Great Falls FSA office at (406) 727- 7580 for more information.

Montana Department of Agriculture Junior Agriculture Loans

The Montana Junior Agriculture Loan Program was developed to assist and encourage members of agricultural youth organizations in financing agricultural projects. Projects can involve crop and livestock production, custom farming, marketing and distribution, processing, and other financially feasible activities. Loans are made from the assets of the Agricultural Finance Program. Program support and technical assistance are provided by the MSU Extension Service, Montana agricultural educators, and private financial institutions. Visit https://agr.mt.gov/Topics/E-G/Grants-Pages/Junior-Agriculture-Loans for more information.

Russell Country Federal Credit Union

Russell Country Federal Credit has developed a program to assist youth and young adults from 8-19 years of age, who are actively participating in 4- H to learn financial responsibility and good saving habits. Visit https://www.russellcountryfcu.org/4-h-suite/ for more information.

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 need to do is submit one sentence on how you would use the funds! Apply at montanafarmersunion.com

Montana 4-H Foundation Grants Opening in December

The Montana 4-H Foundation supports 4-H initiatives that focus on healthy living, citizenship, leadership, science, engineering, and technology. The mission of the Montana 4-H Foundation is to "help 4-H youth by raising private funds, managing financial resources and partnering with the MSU Extension Service to fund educational opportunities for Montana 4-H youth, volunteer leaders, and staff."

Montana 4-H grants provide opportunities for youth and adults to strengthen their skills and maximize their positive impacts on the communities in which they live.

Grants - MONTANA 4-H FOUNDATION

  Meetings & Important Notices

Horse Leaders Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Horse Leaders will be on Tuesday, November 4th at 5:30 pm at the Extension Office.

Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders Committee will be held on Tuesday January 6th, at 6:00pm at the Extension Office.

Leaders’ Council Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Leaders’ Council will be on Tuesday, November 11th at 6:00 pm at the Extension Office.

Foundation Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Foundation will be on Tuesday, November 18th at 6:00pm at the Extension office.

Livestock Leaders Meeting

The next meeting of the Cascade County 4-H Livestock Leaders will be on Tuesday, November 4th at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office.

All meetings will also be virtual via WebEx. Please check your email for the links and meeting packets.

Reminder to Volunteers and Leaders:

In order to vote as a committee member, you must have your enrollment fully completed in Zsuites. This includes having your payment submitted, background checks cleared, and all required waivers signed.

Please make sure these steps are completed to ensure your eligibility to participate in voting.

Family Reminders:

As we begin this 4-H year, all activity and events fees must be paid in advance in order to participate. These costs allow us to reserve spaces, plan materials and support county programming. Please make sure your payments are completed ahead of time so we can continue offering great opportunities for our members. Thank you for helping us keep things running smoothly and timely.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State University 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 marital and family status.