Montana State University partners with Lake County and the United States Department of Agriculture to provide quality continuing education programs and services, literally bringing MSU to Lake County and providing Lake County residents all the experts, research, and information the university has to offer through a satellite campus in Ronan.

We respond to citizens and stakeholders by developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that address local needs and issues. Extension agents are continually assessing and responding to educational needs identified by community residents, advisory committee members, volunteers, stakeholder groups, representatives of organizations and agencies throughout the county.

Supported by Montana State University, programming strengthens Lake County Extension goals and objectives that enhance agriculture, natural resource management, community economics, family and consumer sciences, and, our crowning jewel, 4-H youth development.

The following priority statements summarize the intent of Lake County MSU Extension goals for programming in these avenues. • Ensure sustainable agricultural enterprises on multiple levels. • Strengthen natural resource conservation and management by achieving defined objectives. • Prepare youth with life skills for the future so they will be productive and positive adults. • Encourage healthier lifestyles and prevention of chronic diseases through promotion of positive health related behaviors and self-care. • Expand access to MSU Extension education and knowledge resources by achieving organizational goals and objectives that affect program quality and delivery, accountability, resource management, and employee professionalism. • Facilitate means for Lake County residents and families to improve their financial literacy, reduce consumer debt, and care for themselves and their families through all of life’s stages.

Lake County Ambassador Nikki Kendall works with the Cloverbuds to break a pinata.
Photo Courtesy of Berl Tiskus

“I AM 4-H” is a new award program designed by a group of Lake County parents, leaders, and Extension staff to shine a spotlight on the Lake County 4-Her's who most exemplify 4-H: hardworking, goal-oriented, involved in their community via service projects, excelling at different 4-H projects, and, of course, keeping records on their projects.

Lake County 4-H Council provided incentives -- $250 cash for each “I AM 4-H” junior or senior member, a custom “I AM 4-H” jacket, and a 4-H trip of the member’s choice during the 2021-22 4-H year. 4-H youth were nominated by their leaders in junior (13 and under) and senior (14 and over) categories. Criteria were finishing 4-H projects and records and presenting a demonstration, as all 4-Hers do. Nominated members also needed to be enrolled in at least three projects and go the extra mile in community service, club participation, and mentoring younger 4-Her's.

Then each member met with a panel of three judges to discuss their 4-H goals, community service, successes, and how they could use these learning experiences to make the next 4-H year better. Of the 29 youth nominated, 20 4-H members came to meet with the judges, community members such as a Lake County Commissioner, Lake County Superintendent of Schools, local farmer/rancher, community development staff, a local businessperson, and personnel from the Flathead Reservation Extension Office. As the 4-Her's waited to talk to the judges, they filled out a questionnaire about 4-H successes and goals for next year.

The judges interview scores were tallied as were the marks for the questionnaire and their record books. Three senior and three junior 4-H winners were chosen: Seniors: Sidney Bauer, Megan Evelo, Ryanne Ryder Juniors: Hayley Bergh, Jaylynn Buxbaum, Lina Sturman

Junior
Photo Courtesy of Berl Tiskus

The thump, thump, thump of leather mallets and the rhythmic zoom of sewing machines were just two sounds emanating from the Lake County MSU Extension Office during the 2020-21 4-H year. Despite Covid-19 and using masks, disinfectant wipes, and social distancing, Lake County 4-Her's had lots of workshops to attend. The goal was to introduce kids to a project they might not try otherwise.

A lamp-making workshop introduced kids to electricity with a quick circuit-making demonstration. Then they were on to creating a lamp for their room with glass bottles and lamp kits. Most kids like to eat so they want to cook. They could choose to attend an apple hand pie workshop or a bread workshop. The office smelled delicious, and participants had fresh-baked hand pies or loaves of bread to take home. Dog lovers came to a workshop to construct a dog bed using fleece fabric and “buffalo snow,” a fiberfill stuffing that’s machine washable to keep dog beds smelling fresh. Many kids had never used a sewing machine before but learned quickly. This class was so popular two sessions were needed to keep numbers low, and kids safe. Other workshops included: • Mars Rover, where members constructed miniature Mars Rovers that ran • picnic blanket • rocket, launches in the parking lot • three leather craft workshops, where participants used leather stamps, made keychains, visited a saddle shop, and learned basic swivel knife skills • woodworking, where a 4-H'er could choose to construct a bat house or a bird house • Cloverbud Extravaganza featuring crafts for 5-to-8-year-old crowd, such as making shakers, yoga, line dancing, learning to use a microphone, and a planet room • mini-workshop to plant and decorate a Mason Jar herb garden • the annual Winter Project Day, with mask sewing, constructing mason bee houses, Mars Rover races, leather crafts, cutting snowflakes, and making cheesecakes

Extension staff is back in the workshop saddle this fall with a bracelet-making workshop to start the 4-H year. On deck are workshops about quilting, cooking with Adele, apple pie making, learn-to-sew, intermediate leathercraft, and art.

Cloverbud Rebekah Wallace learns to use leather stamps during a Beginning Leathercraft Workshop
Photo Courtesy of Berl Tiskus

Lake County 4-H has a lot of pride in its stellar shooting sports program with a steady enrollment of about 55 4-H members, many of whom compete in more than one discipline.

Organizational Leader Bob Cornwell heads up the air rifle squad with Volunteer Leaders Bruce Fishbain and Mikayla Douthit, and Junior Leader Colter Cornwell. They meet in the Lake County Community center on Tuesday evenings from October through February/March, whenever the Lake County Shoot is held.

The archery members meet in the horticulture barn with Les Mutchler and Nathan Cantlon. The leaders have two sessions, one at 6 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. Safety is stressed: Cornwell goes down the line with his prone air rifle class, asking each one to name a safety rule. Answers are: wear appropriate eye and ear protection; tie your hair back; always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction; always keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. Shotgun members begin practice in the spring and hold their final 5-stand and trap shoot on the Sunday before the Lake County Fair begins.

Siblings Nikki and Ryan Kendall have been in archery their entire 4-H careers, Nikki for nine years and Ryan for eight. Nikki is right eye dominant, so she faces her brother, who is right-handed, when they shoot. They stay in 4-H shooting sports because they enjoy the competition and improving their archery skills since they are both hunters. Other 4-H members said they like the sport because they have never gotten to shoot a gun before, and they like learning the safety rules, cleaning their guns, and becoming better shots. The leaders appreciate their students and take lots of time to teach them the correct and safest way to handle guns and bows.

4-H Archer Ryan Kendall prepares for practice by checking an arrow.
Photo Courtesy of Berl Tiskus