Ravalli County 4-H
Newsletter
December 2020
Upcoming Dates
December
Dec 8th Horse Committee Meeting, 6:30 PM, Extension Conference Room
Dec. 9th Club Leader Training, 6-8 PM, Via Webex   
Dec 13th Horse Record Book Clinic Session 1, 2:00-4:00 PM, Extension Conference Room
Dec 15th Horse Record Book Clinic Session 2, 6:00-8:00 PM, Extension Conference Room
Dec. 16th Project Leader Training, 6:00-8:00 PM, Via Webex
Dec. 25th Extension Office Closed
Dec. 31st Re-enrollment deadline

January
Jan 9th Beef Weigh-in
Jan. 18th Ravalli County 4-H Advisory Council meeting 6:30 PM, Extension Conference Room and Webex

February
February 1st People Partner Grant Applications due to Montana 4-H Foundation
February 9th Victor Weed District Conference Room 7:00 PM, - 131 S. Tudor St. (old Victor Fire Hall)
Enrollment Deadlines
Re-Enrollment is Due December 31!
DON’T FORGET!!
Pay your county dues:
Send in payment to: Ravalli County Extension office
215 S. 4th St. Ste. G
Hamilton, MT 59840.
Make checks out to Ravalli 4-H
OR call the Extension Office at (406) 375-6601 to pay with a credit card over the phone
Your enrollment will not be active until payment is received!
Dues
Club Member………….$10
Adult Volunteer……….$10 (+30 if new)
Cloverbud……………….$5
(Ages 5-7)
Organizational Leader Training
When: Wednesday, December 9, 2020 6-8 PM 

Where: Webex (link to be sent out to registered participants)

Who: All 4-H club Org leaders and Co leaders

What: Many things look different this year, but many things are still the same! 4-H can remain as a positive constant in youths' lives, but it's not possible without our volunteers!
Volunteer trainings will be held virtually this year. However, the session will still be interactive and filled with chances to learn from each other. 
Registration due: Monday, December 7, 2020


Other information: Set up your computer before hand using a test webex meeting:  https://help.webex.com/en-us/nti2f6w/Webex-Meetings-Join-a-Test-Meeting   
Project Leader Training
When: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 6-8 PM 

Where: Webex (link to be sent out to registered participants)

Who: All county or club project leaders

What: Every project is different, but there are a lot of similarities! Join the conversation on how to still make this year a success despite the challenges we face. Bring your questions and expertise to share with the group!  

Volunteer trainings will be held virtually this year. However, the session will still be interactive and filled with chances to learn from each other. 
 
Registration due: Monday, December 14, 2020

Other information: Set up your computer before hand using a test webex meeting:  https://help.webex.com/en-us/nti2f6w/Webex-Meetings-Join-a-Test-Meeting  
Volunteer Vacancies
  • Livestock sale administrator 
  • Poultry leader 
  • Poultry superintendent 
  • Beef superintendent 
  • Small animal sale coordinator 
  • Teen Leadership leader 
  • Shooting sports county coordinator 
  • Air pistol/ air rifle leader  

Contact the Extension office to learn more about any of the above listed positions, or if you or someone you know may be interested!
4-H Alumni
No Holiday Party with 4-H Alumni, BUT nonetheless all are wished a
Order your 2021 Greytak Calendar
We are happy to once again offer the famous Montana 4-H Calendar with Don Greytak’s amazing pencil art for each month of 2021. The price to clubs and counties will be $10. We recommend that you sell the calendars at $15 which will give your clubs or counties a $5 profit.

Contact the Extension office to order or for more information
Horse Record Book Clinics 
Two county wide record book clinics for horse project participants will be held to help members to get started on their record books and learn more about how to complete them. 
  • When: Sunday, December 13th from 2-4 PM 
Tuesday, December 15th from 6-8 PM 
Teen Leadership Academy
Teen Leadership Academy
Virtually brought to you by the State 4-H Ambassador Team
Every Sunday from 2:30-3:30
Starting December 13
These trainings are geared towards teens who are interested in gaining useful leadership skills that they can bring back to their clubs, community, country, and world! 
Join the first Montana 4-H Leadership Academy workshop on Sunday December 13th. The leadership academy is a network of Montana 4-H members interested in exploring and developing their own leadership skills while serving their county 4-H program in new ways. 
 
Local county leadership groups will have an opportunity to join with groups from around the state as well as the Montana 4-H Ambassador Officer team, virtually and in person when possible, to work on skill building, planning and mentorship. 
 
Each month the officer team members will be presenting a different workshop topic that they have found to be important as they have grown their own leadership abilities. This workshop can then be paired with a local county leadership meeting to work on county projects that serve our local 4-H program and community.  

Learn More Here
Contact the Extension office if you are interested in attending!
Ag Ambassador Competition
Saturday, January 30th, 2021
This event takes place during the Montana Winter Fair in Lewistown, MT and is open to ANY junior high or high school student (7th-12th grade). However, younger competitors should be informed ahead of time that they might compete against seniors in high school – we do not have separate divisions planned right now. They do not need to be a 4-H member to participate.
Students will be asked to complete the materials listed below with a focus on the topic of Diversity in Montana Agriculture. The topic is intentionally broad, to encourage creativity. Students can focus on diversity as it relates to people in MT agriculture, types of crops/livestock, new or innovative production/management ideas, or even diversity in end products from MT agriculture.
  1. Newspaper Article – 500-800 words, will be sent to event organizers ahead of time
  2. Radio Spot – 50-60 seconds long, pre-recorded and sent to event organizers ahead of time
  3. Interview – mock TV interview happening day of competition 
  4. Prepared Speech – 7-12 minutes, delivered on day of competition
  5. Social Media Posts & Marketing Plan – 3 posts on any appropriate platform, including a picture or video (max. 30 sec.), and posts written using 40 words or less; sent to organizers ahead of time
a. Marketing Plan: submitted with posts and defines target audience by
location, age, gender, interests, etc.

Cash Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 competitors. Students must participate in all 5 contest components to be eligible for awards.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many portions of the Montana Winter Fair have been cancelled. However, the Ag Ambassador Competition is one that is still moving forward! 
Registration materials will be posted to the website Montana Winter Fair Website starting November 15th, 2020
If you are interested in participating in this event, contact the Fergus County Extension office (406) 535-3919 for registration information 
Shooting Sports
  • Archery - With careful consideration by Extension staff and Volunteers, we have decided to cancel the 2020-2021 Archery season. Unfortunately, due to safety concerns for all, limited space, and volunteer capacity we will not be able to safely conduct the 4-H archery season. We have considered all options and agree that moving forward would pose too great of a risk when trying to manage social distancing, adhere to group number restrictions, and the possibility of volunteers being quarantined at any moment (given they all work with the public for their employment). Ultimately, it was a difficult decision and not one made lightly. The bottom line is that we want to keep everyone safe and healthy and do our part to get things back to normal as soon as possible.
  • However, we are working on plans to offer Archery Clinics in the early spring when we could potentially be outside and have a longer period of time that would help with managing social distancing measures.  
  • Air Rifle/Pistol - Currently looking for new leaders to continue this amazing program! New leaders will attend a regional training to be certified in this discipline. Please contact the Extension Office for more information or if you are interested in volunteering!
  • Small Bore Rifle/Pistol - Still being planned as normal
  • Shotgun - Still being planned as normal
  • Updates from State Shooting Sports Coordinator - There are no tournaments currently scheduled, and many other counties are postponing or completely canceling their early seasons. Shooting sports leader trainings have also been postponed until after the first of the year. The State Shoot in March is still being planned as normal with but with trepidations of a possible cancelation or adjustments as needed.
Livestock
Don’t forget to drop off your buyer’s certificates (the piece of paper that was picked up at the Extension Office that has your photo with the animal you sold on it) to the individual or businesses that bought your animals or contributed add-on amounts. Buyer information was on the slip of paper in the back of the certificate. Add-on information was included on the letter that was included with your check.

Many youth, also write a personal thank you note or give a small gift to go along with the certificate. Add-on supporters should also receive a thank you note for their contribution. Please make sure you complete this step as soon as possible, if you have not done so already.

Thanking and recognizing buyers is a very important part of selling your animal. By completing this step, we help ensure buyers know their investment and generous support is appreciated and are likely to support 4-H again in future years. Often, our buyers are paying well above market value for 4-H animals because they are looking beyond just filling their freezer with a quality product. They pay this premium price because they want to invest in Ravalli County youth! They believe in you and your future.

Contact the Extension Office, if you have any questions. 
Beef Weigh-in
Weigh-in information for market beef and bred heifers
Save the date: Saturday, January 9th 9:00 AM- 12:00PM
More information will be e-mailed and mailed very soon, make sure to check your mailboxes!
Also, make sure you are enrolled so we have updated addresses. We will be sending information to last year’s beef members and any new members that are currently enrolled. 
People Partner Grants
Applications due February 1
Is there a project that can be done by 4-Hers, but you need some financial assistance to get it completed? The People Partner Grant can help! This grant is for 4-H groups or individuals wanting to enhance the quality of living for the people in their communities. Learn more here: http://montana4h.org/programs/grants/grants.html
COIVD-19 and 4-H 
Please remember, when participating in 4-H sponsored events we must follow the guidelines put forth by the Governor and MSU Extension.


Currently, we must follow the newly added (November 20) mandate of not meeting in groups with more than 25 people.
International Programs 
States’ 4-H Winter International Pen Pal Program
Quick turn-around time for registration, so if you’re interested sign up today!!
Registrations due December 11
Program Details:
1. The program will run from Jan 18 - April 18, 2021.
2. Participants must be between the ages of 9-18
3. There is no cost for participation.
4. Participants sign up by completing an online registration form, which includes a Terms of Use agreement.
5. States' 4-H will match participants with an international peer from one of the participating countries. States' 4-H will make its best effort to match based on country preference, age, gender, and interests.
6. Participants are asked to communicate at least TWO times per month with their international pen pal.
7. A positive and enthusiastic attitude are crucial for this program as it will be up to the US participant to initiate contact with their pen pal.

Contact the Extension Office for more information

Upcoming Citizenship Programs
Citizenship Seminar(s) program
Usually Citizenship Seminar is a Biennial Montana 4-H Event that takes place during Legislative Breakfast. This year, Citizenship Seminar is moving to a virtual format that will be spread out into four sessions taking place on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:30.
Dates for the program: January 19 & 26 February 2 & 9
Registration will be opening in Z-Suites soon. Keep an eye out for an announcement via email when registration is open!
MSU/Ravalli County Extension Office

215 S. 4th Street, Ste G
Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406.375.6611

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