Routt County 4-H news & updates
March 1, 2023
Upcoming Events
Click here to access the Routt County 4-H Google Calendar!
March 1, 6pm, Parli Pro Training at Council Meeting - All members are encouraged to join us as Mr. Wellman goes over Parliamentary Procedure. All are encouraged to attend IN PERSON to get the most out of the training; however, we understand that with impending weather, all might not be comfortable driving. IF you are not comfortable driving, please join us via Zoom at 6pm!

Everyone attending the meeting will use the parking lot/entrance by the football field.
March 4, 9am, Routt County 4-H Ski Day - join Routt County 4-H as we hit the slopes of Mount Werner. Members must meet at the top of the Gondola for a picture at 11am!

A huge THANK YOU to Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation for helping make this happen for our Routt County 4-H Kids!
March 7, 4-5pm, Cake Decorating Workshop at the Routt County Extension Office. Interested in attending? Sign up today for the Cake Decorating Project in 4-H Online!
March 7, 6pm, 4-H Monthly Moos Call - join Tami and Millie as they discuss the topic: Guiding myself through 4-H (Zoom information).

Do you have any questions that you would like covered in the latest Monthly Moo? Please email Millie any questions you would like addressed!
March 7, 6:30pm, Junior Livestock Sale Committee Meeting - Interested in learning more about the Routt County Junior Livestock Sale? Come join us at the committee meeting!
March 8, 6pm, New Member Orientation Dinner - join us at the Steamboat Springs Community Center as we discuss important events for the upcoming year. We will also go over the basis of Routt County 4-H and what we offer. There will be time at the end to ask any and all questions you may have.
  • Please RSVP by Friday, March 3rd using the Google Form!
  • This is a MANDATORY dinner. If you cannot make it, please contact the extension office to arrange a one-on-one meeting with Tami or Millie.
March 9, 5pm, Routt County Livestock Judging Team Practice, Trout Creek Room - Looking for a fun way to expand you judging game, learn about livestock evaluation, increase your skill in public speaking? Join the Routt County Junior Livestock Judging team as they travel and compete throughout the spring and summer! All ages are welcome to join.

For more information, please call Rod Wille at 970-846-4365, or Kody May at 303-913-6609.
March 16, 4-5pm, Cake Decorating Workshop at the Routt County Extension Office. Interested in attending? Sign up today for the Cake Decorating Project in 4-H Online!
March 19, 2pm, Snow Sculpture Building at Casey's Pond - All Steamboat and North Routt 4-H members are encouraged to join us to build snow sculptures for the residents of Casey's Pond!
March 31-April 2, District Retreat - Join us in Glenwood Springs as we meet up with the District 9 Counties for District Retreat. Registration opens February 6th on 4-H Online!
  • Routt County Leadership funds will cover all but $50/member. This includes all travel, hotel, and partial registration costs.
  • Elk River Wranglers and Fairplay 4-H Clubs have voted to cover the remaining $50 for their club members wanting to attend.
  • Sign Up ASAP! Registration closes March 6th
  • Cancellations after March 6th will need to reimburse the full registration, travel, and hotel costs.
  • We are collecting old jeans, fleece, and flannel for the community service project. These materials will be used to create toys and blankets for the local animal shelters! Do you have any of this material laying around, please drop it by our office!
April 4, 6pm, 4-H Monthly Moos Call - join Tami and Millie as they discuss the topic: Animal IDs (Zoom information)

Do you have any questions that you would like covered in the latest Monthly Moo? Please email Millie any questions you would like addressed!
April 19, 5:30pm, Horse Classroom - join us in the BCC Room, as we invite Cassidy Perricone to discusses Horse Safety and Basic Horse knowledge. Pizza will be provided.

Please RSVP using the Google Form.
April 26, 5pm, Meat Quality Assurance Training - MQA (Meat Quality Assurance Training) is required for all 1st 4-H animal members and 1st year senior animal members. We will conduct the MQA training first followed up by a Livestock 101 for all livestock members.
May 1, Add/Drop/Change Deadline - members must complete the projects they are signed up for in order to remain in good standing. Members must be enrolled in at least 1 project to be considered a member in good standing. No changes can be made after this deadline.
May 1, Horse and Dog Animal IDs due in 4-H Online. Questions, please attend the April 4th Monthly Moos Meeting, or refer to our website for detailed instructions!
May 3, County Council Meeting - join us at the Soroco High School for a County Council Meeting. All are encouraged to attend.
May 8, 4-6pm, Sheep & Goat Weigh-In at the Routt County Fairgrounds.

Cost is $5 per animal. Please have the Weigh In Form completed before arriving at the scale. You must be enrolled with all fees paid (including past due fees).

Questions? Take a look at the handbook section that discusses spring weigh-ins
May 9, 3-6pm, Swine Weigh-in at the Routt County Fairgrounds.

Cost is $5 per animal. Please have the Weigh In Form completed before arriving at the scale. You must be enrolled with all fees paid (including past due fees).

Questions? Take a look at the handbook section that discusses spring weigh-ins
Office News
Welcome Tina -

Tina Delany is our new half time Office Technician. She and her husband moved to Routt County in 2017. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Urban & Environmental Policy from Occidental College. She loves living in the Rocky Mountains, and enjoys all the outdoor opportunities it has to offer. Tina has a cat named Max, and loves to travel.

Tina joined us this past week, and we are excited to have her in our office. Tina will be working closely with Melina and Todd as they cover their programming. Tami and Millie will still be the point people for all things 4-H. Stop on by and say hi to if you are in the area!
4-H News
PROJECT WORKSHOPS - Exciting Project Workshops are being planned! Scroll to down to your project category for more information.
Cloverbuds - The Junior Leaders are hosting a series of Cloverbud Workshops. Scroll down to the "Cloverbuds" section for more information!
The Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policy and Procedures is updated and approve. All members must abide by the Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policies and Procedures while enrolled in the Routt County 4-H Program.
4-H Enrollment is Open!
Here is a LINK on how to enroll, clubs, projects and much more.
  • If you are attending club meetings and other 4-H Events, you MUST be enrolled and paid!
  • All returning members who have not enrolled/paid before January 1 will receive a $30 late fee!
  • New to 4-H? Mark your calendar for the New Member Dinner, March 8, 6pm at the Steamboat Community Center.
  • RSVP using this Google Form!
When would you like to do Achievement Night this year? Fill out this survey to help us pick a date that works best for members and their families!
Would you like to enter a 'Thank You' ad into the 2023 Routt County Fair Book? 4-H Members will receive a 25% discount on all ads a quarter page size or larger!

Parents/Guardians, are you interested in sponsoring the Routt County Fair? Visit the Routt County Fair website to learn more about fair book ads and sponsorship packages!

Advertising deadline is March 15th!
Are you looking at filling out scholarships for continuing education? Colorado 4-H Scholarships are now posted on the website!
  • The scholarship process is open through March 1, 2023. Scholarship recipients will be announced in late April/early May 2023. There are opportunities available for all kinds of students, including those attending CSU or other universities, trade schools or junior colleges, transfer students, and continuing students. https://co4h.colostate.edu/about-us/scholarships/.  

The Routt County 4-H High School and Continuing Education Scholarship Applications are OPEN! Visit our website for instructions on how to apply. Applications close on April 1st at 5pm!

Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows Scholarships are open to graduating seniors from Colorado Fairs. Applications close on April 20th. Apply here!
2022-2023 Record Books are now posted! Find them here!
  • Livestock members - scroll down for some helpful record book tips!
We have a few extra t-shirts for sale at the Extension Office. $20/shirt. Stop by today to pick one up!
Club Reports
Goodtimes 4-H Club
February 25, 2023
The sledding party Started at about 10:00 a.m. on Saturday February 25. It was a blast! We would sled down the hill and proceed to go back up. After we went sledding we went inside and had chili and hot chocolate! Then we went back to sledding! We found that pool tubes were the best, paired with 1-3 people. This is one of my favorite 4-H adventures so far. Thank you Walton's and all for providing fun and food!
Submitted by Joseph Elkinton
Handy Lads and Lassies 4-H Club
February 5, 2023
On February 5th, 2023 we met at the elementary school with Flat Tops where we got split up into groups to build snowman around Yampa. Then we met back up and went back into our own 4H group. The Handy Lads and Lassies group went to the ladies aid hall for our meeting. There we talked about new important topics. Our next meeting will be held on March 12th and it will be held at the ladies aid hall at 2:00.
Submitted by Morgan Gibson
Elk River Wranglers 4-H Club
February 2023
At our February meeting we had almost our entire club in attendance! We had lots to discuss. We voted to use club funds to pay for any member wanting to attend District Retreat. February 12th, the beef weigh in is being held at the Routt County Fair Grounds from 12:30 to 2:30. Cost is $5 per animal. On March 4th, there will be a 4H ski day at Mount Werner! Those attending need to be at the top of the gondola by 11:00. If you would like to attend, please contact Tami by February 27th. March 8th we will be hosting a new members dinner to fill in and introduce our joining members. This dinner will be mandatory and if you cannot attend please let the extension office know and a private meeting will be set up with either Tami or Millie to discuss the 4-H year ahead.
Submitted by: Anna Schumacher
Community Events
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for helping with our 2023 Blues Break Camp! It was a fun filled day of felting and cake decorating for 3rd-5th graders of Steamboat!
Courtesy Posts
Are you interested in learning more about sheep shearing? Moffat County Extension is hosting a 3 day Sheep Shearing School! Scholarships are accessible to 4-H and FFA members wanting to attend. Contact Megan for more info!
Wondering what to do with all of your old lick tubs once the snow melts away? Our Routt County Master Gardeners are collecting lick tubs for a new program of container gardeners. Drop off any of your old lick tubs to the Extension Office so that they can be repurposed for gardening this summer!
HPAI is still surging in Colorado. Please educate yourself on the risks of your backyard flock mingling with wild birds, and introducing new birds to your flock.
Calling all trainers! The Meeker Mustang Makeover is looking for horse trainers for their 5th Annual mustang makeover. This is an excellent summer project with tangible benefits for 4-H Youth (but open to all)! Applications due April 1, 2023. More information can be found here.
New Member Information
4-H Enrollment is Open! Here is a LINK to how to enroll, clubs, projects and much more. Call our office with any questions - we are here to help you!

Learn more about Routt County 4-H on our WEBSITE.
  • See a list of our 4-H clubs and when they meet.
  • Learn about all the projects 4-H has to offer.
  • The Colorado 4-H WEBSITE also offers project information and record book links. Click on the area of a project of interest (word on picture square), then click on the project you want to learn more about.

March 8, 6pm - Mandatory New Member Dinner at the Steamboat Community Center. Come join us as we discuss important dates, outline the importance of 4-H, and answer any questions you may have regarding the Routt County 4-H Program.
  • Please RSVP by Friday, March 3rd using the Google Form!
  • This is a MANDATORY dinner. If you cannot make it, please contact the extension office to arrange a one-on-one meeting with Tami or Millie.
4-H Monthly Moos - Do you have questions about the Routt County 4-H Program? Starting in January, Tami and Millie will be holding monthly Zoom Calls to help with all things 4-H! Monthly meetings will try to have a specific topic, but all questions are welcome anytime. 4-H Monthly Moos will start January 3th and will run on the first Tuesday of the month (besides July) at 6pm through August 1st. Zoom Link Here!

Information from prior Monthly Moos can be found on our website.

  • March 7 - How can I guide myself through my project? But wait, I want to do more! Adding/Dropping Projects
  • April 4 - Animal IDs - What's needed, how do I do it, when are they due by?
  • May 2 - Test our knowledge!
  • June 6 - Yay! Record Books!
  • July 11 - Completion Weekend and Exhibit Day
  • August 1 - Fair 101
4-H Project Area Information
Practice Schedules - Practice Start Dates are Tentative

Important Shooting Sports Dates -
  • May 1 - Add/Drop deadline for all projects
  • July 6 - Completion Weekend Registration Due
  • July 16 - Shooting Sports Completion Weekend for Air Rifle, Air Pistol & .22 Pistol
  • July 22-23 - Shooting Sports Completion Weekend for .22 Rifle, Archery & Shotgun
  • July 26 - Exhibit Day

Leader Trainings - All workshops are tentative and may be cancelled or adjusted for reason including but not limited to low registration numbers, inclement weather, state health department restrictions, etc.

  • March 3-5, Morgan County - (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun) OPENS: 1/20/23 CLOSES: 2/17/23 See attached flyer!
  • March 10-12, Weld County – (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun) OPENS: 1/27/23 CLOSES: 2/24/23
  • March 17-19, Pueblo County – (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Hunting & Outdoor Skills, Western Heritage) OPENS: 2/3/23 CLOSES: 3/3/23
  • March 24-26, Garfield County - (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Western Heritage) OPENS: 2/10/23 CLOSES: 3/10/23

Meets, Invitationals, and Expos -
These are meets we are sharing from other counties for members to participate in. The postings are for your information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Routt County Extension.
  • June 3rd - Weld County Shooting Sports Invitationals: Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Muzzleloading. More information here.
  • June 4th - Weld County Shooting Sports Invitationals: Shotgun (Trap and Skeet). More Information here.
Livestock Judging -
  • Practice starts on March 9th.
  • Practices will be held on Thursdays from 5-6:30pm in the Trout Creek Room.
  • Looking for a fun way to expand you judging game, learn about livestock evaluation, increase your skill in public speaking? Join the Routt County Junior Livestock Judging team as they travel and compete throughout the spring and summer! All ages are welcome to join.
  • For more information, please call Rod Wille at 970-846-4365, or Kody May at 303-913-6609.

Livestock Notes -
  • Thinking about choosing your animals for this year? Email Millie for a webinar highlighting how to pick out your perfect animal!

Colorado State Fair Information -
  • Colorado State Fair Nomination forms are available for pick-up at the Extension Office. Please make sure you understand all competition rules and requirements for the Colorado State Fair!
Horse Members -
  • HORSE WORKSHOPS - We are hosting two horse workshops with the help of Cassidy Perricone. All horse members are strongly encouraged to attend these workshops, pizza will be provided. Please RSVP using this Google Form.
  • SUMMER RIDING SCHEDULE - We are working on a schedule of summer rides for our members. Check back in April for completed schedule.

Beef Members -

Sheep Members -
  • There has been some question in the past as to what we meant by “extreme docking” in our member handbook. This year, with help from the FFA Advisors, Sheep Superintendents, and us here at the Extension Office, we decided to update the wording in the member handbook to make this rule more clear. The wording that we are using is coming straight from the Colorado State Fair Rulebook!
  • Extreme docking of lambs: (complete tail removal) is not an acceptable animal husbandry practice. We will be using the same rule for the Colorado State Fair regarding docking. Market Lambs shall show no evidence of surgical docking, prolapses, purse strings, sutures, etc. If any of these are evident in any sheep, that animal will be disqualified from the show
  • There will be a team of people checking lambs at spring, and fair weigh-ins

Goat Members -
  • This year, there will no longer be a separate meat breed and non-meat breed showmanship class for goats. There will be one showmanship class regardless of the breed of goat. The showmanship class will be judge on how you show and present your animal based on their breed standards.
Poultry Members -
Livestock Dates -
  • April 19 - Routt County Horse Classroom (Horse Safety and Basic Horse Knowledge)
  • April 26 - Meat Quality Assurance and Livestock 101. All first year seniors and first year animal members are required to attend.
  • May 1 - Animal IDs due for Dog and Horse
  • May 1 - Add/Drop Date for all projects
  • May 8 - Sheep and Goat Weigh In at the Routt County Fairgrounds. Cost is $5/animal. Please have all your weigh in forms completed before arriving at the scale.
  • May 9 - Swine Weigh In at the Routt County Fairgrounds. Cost is $5/animal. Please have all your weigh in forms completed before arriving at the scale.
  • May 24 - Routt County Horse Classroom (Conditioning and Proper Feeding)
  • June 1 - Animal ID deadline for market beef, swine, sheep, and goat
  • June 12-13 - Northwest Colorado 4-H Expo Horse and Dog
  • June 15-16 - Northwest Colorado 4-H Expo Livestock, Poultry and Rabbit
  • July 1 - Animal ID deadline for ALL breeding animals
  • July 11 - Registration deadline for Fair
  • August 9 - Fair Clean-Up/Set-Up Day
  • August 11-20 - Routt County Fair
  • September 19 - Animal/Livestock Record Books Due
Jackpots, Shows, and Expos -
These are shows we are sharing from other counties for members to participate in. The postings are for your information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Routt County Extension.
  • April 1st - Beef Blow N Go Show in El Paso County. More information here!
  • August 24th-27th - Colorado State Fair 4-H Championship Horse Show in Pueblo Colorado.
2022-2023 Record Books can be downloaded here!

Pages that can be completed NOW -
Pages to be working on through project -

Record Book Tips -
  1. Keep columns Consistent
  2. Add more pages as needed
  3. Dates need to be in chronological order
  4. Read all page directions completely and carefully
  5. NEVER leave a page blank

Important Record Book Dates -
  • October 1 - Start of 4-H Year
  • June 6 - Monthly Moo Topic: Yay! Record Books!
  • June - Record Book Check from Club Leaders
  • September 19 - Animal/Livestock Record Books Due
Robotics Schedule - All members must be enrolled and attending practices by January 26th in order to participate in the Routt County Robotics Program!

Beekeeping Workshops - Routt County Beekeeping Association will be holding a workshop series for our Beekeeping Members. Schedule will be released soon! Interested in attending these workshops? Enroll in our Beekeeping Project today!

Knitting Workshops - Routt County 4-H has a knitting leader this year. Are you interested in joining and learning more about knitting this year? Enroll today in our Knitting Project!

Cake Decorating Workshops - Cake Decorating workshops for enrolled members will be held in March. Sign up for the Cake Decorating project and join us for some fun cake decorating workshops.
  • March 7th, 4-5pm - Extension Kitchen (Time TBD)
  • March 16th, 4-5pm - Extension Kitchen (Time TBD)

Small Engine Group - Are you interested in the Small Engine 4-H Project, but don't know how to start? We just secured a Small Engines leader for the 2022-2023 4-H Year! Keep an eye out for announcements of workshop dates. Email Tami if you are interested in joining this project!

Important Dates -
  • May 1 - Add/Drop Date for all projects
  • July 11 - Registration deadline for Exhibit Day
  • July 26 - Exhibit Day
Routt County 4-H Leadership Opportunities
Routt County 4-H Leadership Opportunities
Routt County 4-H Council - Did you know that you can hold 4-H officer positions at the club, county, district and state level? Our 4-H council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month (every other month) across Routt County. At these meetings county wide information is shared including updates to the handbook, voting on the buckle/reserve champion awards, sale committee updates, upcoming events and more. All members are encouraged to attend the 4-H Council meetings and at least two representatives from each club attend each meeting.
  • March 1 - 4-H Council meeting 6pm at Exhibit Hall in Hayden
  • May 3 - 4-H Council meeting 6pm at Soroco High School
  • July 5 - 4-H Council meeting 7pm at Exhibit Hall in Hayden

Routt County Jr. Leader - Are you interested in being an ambassador of Routt County 4-H? Our Junior Leaders help put on all 4-H Events in the county, while learning new leadership skills along the way. All senior aged (14-18 year old) members are encouraged to come and learn more about the Jr. Leadership Program. The Jr. Leaders meet monthly in the Trout Creek Room!
  • February 15 - 6pm
  • March 15th - 6pm
  • May 24th- 6pm
  • June 14th- 6pm
  • July 12- 6pm

Leadership Conferences - attend different conferences around the state!
  • March 31-April 2 - District Retreat in Glenwood Springs for ages 10-18. Register online! Registration opens February 6th, closes March 6th!
  • Routt County Leadership funds will cover all but $50/member. This includes all travel, hotel, and partial registration costs.
  • Elk River Wranglers and Fairplay 4-H Clubs have voted to cover the remaining $50 for their club members wanting to attend.
  • Sign Up ASAP! Registration closes March 6th
  • Cancellations after March 6th will need to reimburse the full registration, travel, and hotel costs.
  • We are collecting old jeans, fleece, and flannel for the community service project. These materials will be used to create toys and blankets for the local animal shelters! Do you have any of this material laying around, please drop it by our office!

Routt County 4-H Fun Day - June 7th at the Kvol's Ranch for ages 8-13. Your Jr. Leaders have a fun packed day of STEM activities, games, crafts, dancing and great food.

Routt County Over Night Retreat - All Jr. and Int. members are invited to join us for an overnight retreat in September at the Exhibit Hall in Hayden. This is a great team building event hosted by the Routt County Jr. Leaders. Interested in more information? Email Tami.
Leaders
Important Updates -
  • We are looking for ideas for the FM Light and Son's Ag Experience. Please discuss with your clubs about new interactive pieces that we can add.
  • Please include Tami and Millie in all 4-H Club related correspondence.
  • Enrollment is OPEN on 4-H Online!
  • Please Re-enroll as a 4-H Leader ASAP!
  • Any members attending meetings and/or holding club officer positions must be enrolled in the current 4-H Year.
Routt County 4-H Cloverbuds
What is a Cloverbud? Cloverbuds are members from 5-7 years old who are not quite ready to participate in many of the projects and activities that the rest of the older 4-H members participate in.

What can Cloverbuds do? The Cloverbud program is focused on participation, teamwork, and learning (not so much on competition). Several of our clubs host Cloverbud events during their regular monthly meetings, and our Routt County 4-H Junior Leaders host 5 Cloverbud workshops throughout the spring and summer to get our youngest members excited about 4-H.

Routt County Junior Leader Cloverbud Workshops -
All of these workshops will be held prior to the Routt County Junior Leaders meetings at 5pm in the Trout Creek Room.
  • March 15
  • April 5
  • May 24
  • June 14
  • July 12
Routt County CSU Extension - 4-H