4-H looks to continue success in 2021-22

Editor's note: This is National 4-H Week. See more on pages B2-B3 in Tuesday's edition of Havre Daily News and in today's shopper.

Following a successful 2021 4-H year that included a record-breaking livestock auction during the Great Northern Fair, Hill County 4-H is honoring National 4-H Week by opening enrollment in the 4-H program to youth countywide for the 2022 year.

"The summer went really well, it seemed. The fair came and went and we had a record sale for the livestock kids," said Colleen Buck, Montana State University Extension Hill County agent. "The kids who participated in the indoor projects, they had some really great projects to display there in the Chuckwagon.

"This week starts the new 4-H year, so we're really excited about the upcoming year and the projects that the kids are going to do," she added.

Hill County has six clubs, Buck said, and she and the county's other Extension agent, Kati Purkett, expect similar numbers for 2022, with perhaps an increase from this year's 90 members total.

Youth can join 4-H at 5 years old as a member of Cloverbuds, a non-competitive educational program for youth through 7 years of age; youth ages 8 through 18 can enroll as full members. Enrollment for all youth is free and open until Nov. 15, and projects cover a wide array of subject areas.

Livestock projects are always popular, Buck said, but youth don't need access to a farm, ranch or other acreage to become a 4-H member.

Two popular project areas right now, she added, are baking and cooking, but projects also include shooting sports that encompass air rifle, shotgun and archery, plus projects like woodworking, pets, babysitting, sewing, robotics, outdoor adventures, hunting, wildlife, crocheting, welding, sciences and more.

"We welcome all the kids who want to be involved in 4-H," she said. "It's more than just projects. It's making memories and learning life lessons and skills and communication development that will help them succeed as they travel through life."

Clubs have project days when members can talk about their projects, and demonstration days for members to show others how to do something such as how to fill a bike tire with air, making cookies or how to halter a horse, she said, along with the competition during fair week. But clubs also have other activities throughout the year, such as fundraisers and day or camping trips.

Along with the local club and countywide activities, members can go to state and national events.

"Most of the state competitions, we will take interested people to," Buck said. "The big one is Congress during the summer."

Congress is a youth development and leadership week, she added, with public speaking and demonstration contests along with livestock judging. Anyone who does well on the state level can go on to national 4-H Congress.

While all the 4-H members assume age-appropriate responsibilities, especially in the period building up to and including fair week, parents and other volunteers provide an important supporting role.

"Most volunteers will say they're in it to help the kids succeed, and that's what they love about being a 4-H volunteer," Buck said.

"If anybody's interested in joining 4-H," she added, "give us a call here at the office and we'll get you set up."

Hill County Extension agents can be reached at 406-400-2333, and information on 4-H can be found online at http://montana4h.org including project information at http://montana4h.org/projects/index.html and reenrollment forms at http://montana4h.org/documents/4honline/Reenrollment%20for%20Families.pdf .

Fall Extension activities

MSU Extension Agent Colleen Buck, who came to Havre in March after six years in Plentywood as Sheridan County Extension agent, said she has had a great first year in Hill County and is gearing up to provide some fall programs.

Along with holding programs for home owners and ag producers around the county, she will be teaching four Community Ed classes on Mondays in November, including common garden pest plants, prairie plants identification, common diseases of trees, and how to plant and care for succulents.

Buck also said that she will work on holding a master gardener class in the future.

For more information about resources and classes offered through the Extension office, call 406-400-2333.