Youth Development

Published: 2019
By Tyler Lane and Janell Barber

Chouteau County MSU Extension engaged youth through 4-H, FFA and many events and workshops. • Seventeen 4-H youth, adult volunteers and staff represented Chouteau County well by participating and interacting with legislators and additional key representatives during the 2019 Legislative Breakfast. • In partnership with Chouteau County Conservation District and Montana Farmers Union, fourth and fifth graders learned the importance of agriculture to Chouteau County and the state of Montana during our Chouteau County Ag Day. Youth attended from Highwood, Big Sandy and Fort Benton. They participated in hands-on workshops covering entomology, dairy, livestock, branding, ear tagging, making cheese, soil erosion and soil biology. • 4-H Archery is one of the county’s top projects where 4-H youth improved their archery and leadership skills through the project, competitions and the Archery Council. • Hunter safety students learned about the impact and identification of noxious weeds. In addition, youth learned how to improve hunter/producer relations. • Chouteau 4-H youth built and designed their own paper rocket during Project Day. At the end of the class, each youth was given the opportunity to shoot their rocket into the air to determine the quality of their design. 4-H youth learned about science and engineering through a hands-on learning workshop. • Sewing and fashion upcycling were offered as a hands-on workshop with eight participants. These youth were provided tools and supplies to cut into old sweaters and make hats within an hour. Seven of the eight had never used a hand needle before. This workshop encouraged creativity and encouragement to create without apprehension. • Back from the past were the 4-H Fashion Revue with 10 participants and the Awards Program with 100+ members, adult volunteers, friends and families attending.