Flathead 4-H Youth

Published: 2019
By Nori Pearce

Flathead 4-H Youth & Adults “Learn by Doing” MSU Extension served more than 750 youth through project programs with the assistance of more than 175 volunteer adult leaders. More than 1,000 Flathead County youth are reached each year through the 4-H program, SNAP-Ed classes and youth development activities. Youth who participate in 4-H increase their communication, networking and leadership skills through interactions at monthly club programs and county and statewide 4-H events. The Flathead County 4-H market livestock program continues to be a strong representation of the agricultural community in the valley. The 2019 Junior Market Livestock Sale saw 169 hogs, 57 lambs and 42 steers make their way through the sale ring. Eight 4-H members and two adult volunteers attended the State 4-H Congress at MSU in Bozeman. Two members participated in State Ambassadors meetings and attended the State 4-H Foundation meeting, and four members participated in the 4-H Livestock Judging contest. Two 4-H members and one adult volunteer attended the annual Fall 4-H Ambassador Training, also held in Bozeman. This is the annual leadership development retreat for Montana 4-H Ambassadors and Teen Leaders and is planned, implemented, and evaluated by the State 4-H Ambassador Officer Team. Flathead County 4-H members learned more about their own leadership abilities while exchanging ideas with other youth leaders and creating a statewide network of resources. The Flathead County 4-H Shooting Sports program offers shooting disciplines of Archery, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Shotgun and Muzzle loading, and continues to be popular with youth in the valley. This program boasts one of the largest memberships in the state. Two Flathead County youth earned a spot on Montana teams to compete at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Event held in Grand Rapids, Nebraska, in June. Braedyn Olson placed fifth overall in the Compound Archery competition; Rebecca Cloninger placed eighteenth overall in the Air Pistol competition. Braedyn and Rebecca represented Montana well, being the only Montana delegates to medal at the contest. 4-H reaches internationally as well as locally, giving Flathead County members and leaders opportunities to learn about our global society. Three international 4-H representatives from Japan spent a month in Flathead County this past summer learning about 4-H and life in the U.S., as well as improving their English skills. Yuka Okimori from Osaka traveled here as the chaperone with 11 Japanese members who stayed with host families across the state. The Stewart 4-H family hosted 13-year-old girl, Yua, and the Bunker 4-H family hosted 13-year-old boy, Yuki, here in the Flathead. Linda Stewart, 4-H leader for the Swan River Buttons & Bows 4-H Club, traveled to Japan as the chaperone for 4-H members participating in the exchange from the U.S. Stewart has served as the Western Region Coordinator for Montana 4-H Exchange programs for a number of years, serving hundreds of Japanese exchange members while they are in Montana.