Gallatin County 4-H
November 2026 Newsletter
Projects at Capacity
Due to facility and/or leader and project capacity, the following 4-H Projects are NOW FULL and are no longer accepting enrollments for the 2026-2027 year:
- Archery Shooting Sports
- Beginner Baking w/ Leader
- Advanced Baking w/ Leader
- Cake Decorating w/ Leader
- Cat
- Cooking Junior Level (ages 8-13) w/ Leader
- Dog Obedience
- Knitting/Crochet w/ Leader
- Leathercraft w/ Leader
- Poultry (4-H & FFA)
- Robotics w/ Leader
- Sewing w/ Leader
- Sheep (4-H & FFA)
- Swine (4-H & FFA)
WAITLISTS: Some projects have enrollment caps. Once a capped project reaches capacity, the project will be hidden from the enrollment system and will no longer appear as an available selection. If the project you are looking for is not listed among the available project selections, it may be full. To be added to a waitlist, you must email the 4-H Office at gallatin4h@montana.edu and specify the project(s) you would like to be added to the waitlist for.
We are very excited to see that these projects were so popular! We apologize for the inconvenience if you were interested in enrolling in one of these projects, but this shows how important it is to enroll sooner than later when the new 4-H year opens.
More options in 4-H than you think!
Still thinking about joining Gallatin County 4-H? YES - there is still a place for you!
We know many families are looking at our 2026-2027 4-H enrollment options and may be disappointed to see that some of our most popular, leader-led projects have already reached capacity. But don’t let a full project stop you from joining 4-H!
🍀Join a CLUB! Clubs are a great way to get involved in 4-H as a whole. Clubs provide opportunities to:
- Gather as a group at a monthly meeting
- Meet other 4-H members of all ages
- Make friends in different project areas
- Take part in group activities, events, trips, and traditions
- Explore a WIDE variety of educational experiences – not just one project/skill!
- Develop confidence, communication, and leadership skills
- Serve the community
- Fundraise
**If you choose to participate in a Club ONLY – select “Exploring 4-H/CLUB PARTICIPATION ONLY” as your ‘Project’ in order for the system to accept the submission of your enrollment.
🌱 Explore an Independent Study Project
Montana 4-H offers more than 200 different project areas! It is simply not possible for Gallatin County to have an official volunteer Project Leader for every one of those project areas. That’s where Independent Study comes in!!
If the Gallatin 4-H Project you were interested in “hit capacity” (leader-led projects) or does not currently have an assigned Gallatin County volunteer leader, you can still enroll in that project and complete it as an Independent Study with a parent/guardian serving as your “helper.”
Independent projects allow youth to:
- Work through the 4-H project curriculum
- Create, build, experiment, explore, and learn hands-on skills
- Set their own goals and work at their own pace
- Document their progress through photos and a project journal
- Explore careers and real-world applications
- Create an exhibit or presentation for the County Fair
Check out the 200 Montana 4-H Projects here: 4-H_Clover_2024-2026_WEB.pdf
**Animal Projects (beef, sheep, swine, goat, rabbit, poultry, dairy cow, horse, dog) cannot be completed as Independent Study due to Fair requirements and rules.
There is SO much more to 4-H than one skill, one project, or one meeting. 4-H is about learning by doing, building confidence, making friends, serving your community, developing leadership skills, and discovering what you’re capable of.
Join Gallatin 4-H at: https://www.montana.edu/extension/gallatin/4hnew.html
Where to Find 4-H Information
I’ve joined 4-H, now what?! Are you wondering when your Gallatin 4-H Projects or Clubs will start meeting?
We understand everyone has different communication preferences, so we post/send this information in numerous places to ensure it is accessible to all families:
📰 Monthly newsletter emailed out on the 1st day of every month and always posted on our website here: https://www.montana.edu/exten.../gallatin/4hnewsletters.html
🗓️ Posted on our BAND App Calendar, subscribe here: https://band.us/n/aaa9A2P8O88fp
📧 Emailed out by the individual project/club leader(s)
📋 Listed on our Club/Project selection guides here:
- Club List: 2026-2027ClubList10-19.pdf
- Indoor Project List: 2026-2027IndoorProjectList10-19.pdf
- Animal Project List: 2026-2027AnimalProjectList10-19.pdf
For projects with leaders, meetings will typically reoccur on the same day/time each month - see the Newsletter and Club/Project selection lists.
For projects without leaders, you will not attend any meetings (as we don't have a leader) and you will complete that project independently at home (see information in Upcoming Activities section).
LAST CALL: Seeking 2026-2027 4-H Year Themes
Submit your ideas via this form: https://forms.gle/936SEvvYUN7DdZzAA by November 3rd!
Our 4-H Council will review all submissions at their November 3rd meeting and narrow the options down to the top 3-4 choices. Those finalists will then be shared with the entire Gallatin 4-H membership, giving everyone an opportunity to vote for your favorite to determine our winning theme for the year!
We need a good, catchy phrase to use for marketing and logo purposes throughout the year. We are striving to be more inclusive (as we have both 4-H and FFA members at our Fair), so please refrain from using "4-H" in the phrase.
- Think of words or characteristics that embody 4-H and FFA (growing, learning, exploring)
- Puns or rhyming are welcomed!
- Use Google/Pinterest to get inspiration
- Theme phrases need to be fun and easy to use for Club Display booths, possible merchandise or stickers, advertising, etc.
Examples of themes from past years:
- "Discover the Treasure of 4-H" (compass/treasure map)
- "Rising Above the Rest" (hot air balloons)
- "Mountains of Adventure"
- "Rooted in 4-H"
- "THIS is 4-H Country"
- “The MAGIC of 4-H” and “The MAGIC of Fair”
- “Hands in the Dirt. Hearts in the Work.”
2026-2027 Livestock Contract
ALL youth participating in a 4-H or FFA Livestock Project must read and sign the digital 2026–2027 Gallatin County Livestock Contract, regardless of whether they plan to sell an animal at the 2027 Gallatin 4-H/FFA Fair. This contract outlines important program expectations, including required workshops, animal possession deadlines, and other livestock project and fair requirements. Both the youth member and their parent/guardian must sign the contract.
This contract is MANDATORY for all livestock project participants and must be completed by the possession deadline for your species, as listed in Section 4 of the contract. Please note: This contract is in addition to any specie-specific contracts or requirements provided by your project leaders. The 2027 Fairbook, typically published in March or April, will include additional policies, divisions, and classes specific to the Fair.
Fill out a separate contract for each youth member. After both the youth and parent/guardian sign the contract, families and the 4-H Office will be auto-emailed a copy of the completed contract(s) to keep for your records. The 4-H Office will pass along the signed contracts to the appropriate species leaders for tracking purposes (and FFA advisers if applicable).
Sign Contract Here: https://na3.docusign.net/Member/PowerFormSigning.aspx?PowerFormId=a4c62133-0cb6-4c1a-a1a9-5fb6515318e4&env=na3&acct=960f6090-f7cb-40a6-adf5-0490f456d6eb&v=2
2027 Don Greytak 4-H Calendars for Sale
Looking for a great gift or a beautiful calendar for your home or office? Support Montana 4-H and enjoy beautiful Montana photography all year long with the 2027 Don Greytak 4-H Calendar!
- Calendars are $15 each
- Proceeds support Montana 4-H youth programs
- Available through the Gallatin County 4-H Extension Office
Bank of the Rockies 4-H Scholarships
Bank of the Rockies is generously offering TWO scholarships of $250 each to Gallatin 4-H members for the upcoming 2026-2027 4-H Year. The scholarship is open to anyone with large or small animal projects that plan to exhibit their animal(s) at the 2027 Gallatin County Fair. The scholarship can be used towards anything for your project: show supplies, feed, equipment, animal purchase, etc.
Application Deadline: December 31st, 2026. To be considered, you must apply utilizing the attached application. Submit completed application to Bank of the Rockies by dropping off at 1276 N. 15th Ave Ste. 102 Bozeman, MT 59715 (ask for John Carey) or email digital application to jcarey@botr.bank
DID YOU KNOW...
Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals in 4-H Record Books
4-H Record Books give members an opportunity to reflect on their yearly work. Record Books require youth to document their skill development and their learning experiences in a written report. 4-H members measure their achievements and growth in their total years in 4-H. 4-H Record Books encourage members to set goals, pursue strategies to meet those goals, and to shift gears in the face of challenges and obstacles.
As we enter November, families should be picking up their Project Record Book documents and curriculum books from our 4-H office and working to set youth S.M.A.R.T goals for the 2026-2027 4-H Year.
S.M.A.R.T Goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound objectives that help youth in 4-H programs achieve their aspirations effectively.
Here’s a breakdown of each component in the context of 4-H:
Specific:
- Goals should be clear and specific, answering the questions of who, what, where, when, and why. For example, instead of saying "I want to improve my skills," a specific goal would be "I want to learn how to plant a vegetable garden in my backyard."
Measurable:
- There should be criteria for measuring progress toward the goal. This could involve quantifying the goal or setting milestones. For instance, "I will plant at least 10 different types of vegetables by the end of the summer."
Attainable:
- Goals should be realistic and achievable, considering the resources and constraints. An attainable goal might be "I will dedicate two hours each week to gardening."
Relevant:
- The goal should matter to the individual and align with broader objectives. For example, "Learning to garden will help me understand where my food comes from and promote healthy eating."
Time- Bound:
- Goals should have a deadline or timeframe for completion. For instance, "I will complete my vegetable garden by June 30."
CONGRATULATIONS to our newly selected 2026-2027 Gallatin County 4-H Ambassadors!
Please join us in congratulating our 2026–2027 Gallatin County 4-H Ambassador Team! These six teens were selected through an application and interview process to represent our county program throughout the year.
Congratulations to Moriah Colton, Maggie Radke, Bob Smieja, Makenze Woodring, Keeley Luhrsen, and Roslyn Knapp!
Our older 4-H members are more than participants - they are the leaders, role models and the energy behind our program. Without teens willing to step up, we cannot provide the strong program our members deserve.
Our Ambassadors work alongside the 4-H Agent to plan events, mentor younger members, teach county workshops, help lead the Teen Leadership Project, and represent Gallatin County 4-H at activities throughout the year.
We’re excited to see these young leaders grow, serve, and make a difference in our 4-H community!
RESULTS: National 4-H Week Tire Displays
Thank you to everyone who voted in our 2026 Gallatin County 4-H National 4-H Week Tire Display Contest! And a HUGE shoutout to the Clubs that participated - your time, creativity, and enthusiasm helped us spread the word about 4-H and show our communities what makes this program so special. Great job, everyone!
Congratulations to our winners! (see display photos below)
1st Place: Dag Nabids Club – receives $150 to Club account + Pizza Party funded/provided by the 4-H Office
2nd Place: Shining Mountaineers Club – receives $100 to Club Account
3rd Place: Dry Creek Teens Club – receives $75 to Club Account
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Club & Project Leader Training Recap
MANDATORY: The word that makes everyone’s eyes roll🙄😂🍀
We knew making our Club & Project Leader Training mandatory this year would be a risk, but it was one we were willing to take because we believe strong leaders are the foundation of a strong youth development program!
To kick off the new 4-H year, we offered three training sessions over the past few weeks to bring a total of 67 Gallatin 4-H Club & Project Leaders together to learn, connect, and start the year on the same page. From club/project meeting procedures and volunteer responsibilities, to financial and risk management, our goal was to create consistency across our program and ensure everyone had the information and resources needed for a successful year ahead.
Because 4-H is about so much more than projects and the annual Fair. It’s about education, leadership, life skills, and creating opportunities for young people to learn and grow - and that starts with investing in the volunteers who make it all possible.
A huge thank you to our incredible Club & Project Leaders for showing up. We’re grateful for each of you!
Getting Started in Your 4-H Independent Study Project
Projects with no official Leader = Independent Study 4-H Projects
If a youth member is enrolled in a Project that Gallatin County 4-H does not currently have an official leader for, members participate in that project as “Independent Study”, with their parent/guardian as a “helper.” Independent Projects are a great way to build skills, learn by doing, and take ownership of a self-directed learning experience. Families will guide youth members through the project at home utilizing the 4-H Project Curriculum Book.
Below are some FAQ and steps to help you get started and stay on track for a successful year:
1. Which Gallatin County 4-H projects are Independent Study 4-H Projects in 2026-2027?
- We currently have youth enrolled in: Aerospace, Baking Independent Study, Cake Decorating Independent Study, Cooking Independent Study, Electric, Embroidery, Entomology, Family Adventures, Forestry, Gardening, Interior Design, Knitting/Crochet Independent Study, Pocket Pets, Quilting Independent Study, Robotics Independent Study, Scrapbooking, Sewing Independent Study, Small Engines, Sport Fishing, Visual Arts Independent Study, Welding, Woodworking.
2. When do I get started in my Independent Study 4-H Project?
- As soon as possible!! Pick up project curriculum books and Record Book documents for the year at the 4-H Extension Office (903 N. Black Ave, Bozeman – located within the Fairgrounds) - these are required to participate in Fair, the sooner you start the better!
- YOU are the leader of your own project so tailor the project pace around your family’s schedule. You can either cruise through the activities/curriculum during a slow season in your year or pace yourself to work on your project on a monthly basis like our other 4-H projects do
3. Keep Up with Your Record Book - Record books are an important part of every 4-H project. They help members track goals, progress, expenses, and reflections.
- Use the Gallatin County 4-H Record Book resources: 4-H Record Book - Gallatin County Extension | Montana State University
- ***Youth must complete just 7 activities in their project curriculum book per 4-H year (requirement if participating/submitting an exhibit to the Fair) – youth do not finish the whole curriculum book in one year, they are designed to last up to 3 years (21 activities per book, finish 7 per year = should last 3 years).
- Update your project journal regularly
- Include photos or documentation of your work
4. Define Your Project Goals - Start by identifying what your member wants to learn or accomplish this year in that Project area
Ask questions like:
- What interests me about this topic?
- What new skills do I want to learn?
- What will my final project or exhibit look like?
Set S.M.A.R.T Goals in your Record Book:
- Specific: Goals should be clear and specific, answering the questions of who, what, where, when, and why. For example, instead of saying "I want to improve my skills," a specific goal would be "I want to learn how to plant a vegetable garden in my backyard."
- Measurable: There should be criteria for measuring progress toward the goal. This could involve quantifying the goal or setting milestones. For instance, "I will plant at least 10 different types of vegetables by the end of the summer.
- Attainable: Goals should be realistic and achievable, considering the resources and constraints. An attainable goal might be "I will dedicate two hours each week to gardening."
- Relevant/Realistic: The goal should matter to the individual and align with broader objectives. For example, "Learning to garden will help me understand where my food comes from and promote healthy eating.
- Time- Bound: Goals should have a deadline or timeframe for completion. For instance, "I will complete my vegetable garden by June 30."
5. Begin Your Project Work - Independent projects can take many forms—some examples include:
- Working through the project curriculum book to learn about the subject area and completing hands-on tasks
- Creating an item (i.e. woodworking or sewing item)
- Exploring potential careers within that project area
- Conducting an experiment or research projec
- Keep detailed notes and photos of your progress along the way. These will be helpful for your record book and fair display later.
6. Participating in the County Fair
- Participating in our annual county fair (Big Sky Country State Fair – 3rd week of July) is not required, however highly encouraged as it is a great opportunity to showcase our local 4-H youth, their skills, creativity and accomplishments! Gallatin 4-H has an entire indoor exhibit building at the fair that is dedicated to 4-H/FFA youth exhibits.
- Participating in the fair will require turning in a Record Book (due June 23rd, 2027) and completing a brief interview(s) with a community member judge with their project the week before the Fair (i.e. poster, sewn item, welding creation, etc) – more information to come on this later.
- Think about how you might share what you’ve learned at our annual County Fair…
Ideas include:
- A display board summarizing your project
- An educational poster with photos and key learnings
- A finished product (like an art piece, model, or baked item)
- A presentation or demonstration
If you’re unsure how to exhibit your project, we’re happy to help you brainstorm! More information on the Fair here: 4-H/FFA Fair Information - Gallatin County Extension | Montana State University.
7. Stay Connected - Even though you don’t have an official designated Project Leader, you’re still part of our Gallatin 4-H community!
- Take advantage of our county-wide activities and workshops that are offered throughout the year – all activities are published in our monthly 4-H Newsletter: 4-H Newsletters - Gallatin County Extension | Montana State University
- If you’d like guidance, feedback, or project ideas, reach out to the Extension Office at gallatin4h@montana.edu or 406-582-3280. We can connect you with project resources, examples, or others with experience in your area of interest.
We’re excited to see the creativity and independence that comes from these projects. Thank you for supporting your member’s 4-H journey—and remember, the most important part of any 4-H project is learning by doing!
Club Officer Training
We encourage any Club Officers, and any supporting roles such as Recreation Leaders, to attend together and strengthen their teamwork.
Our new Gallatin 4-H County Ambassador Team and Teen Leaders are excited to host a fun and engaging opportunity for Club Officer teams! Because many Clubs elect officers in October and November, we’ve moved our Officer Training earlier in the year to give your youth leaders the tools and confidence they need right at the start of the 4-H year.
The Club Officer Training will be an energetic, interactive weekday-evening workshop. Participants will dive into topics such as:
- Creating a welcoming club environment
- Fun and effective icebreakers and recreation games
- Productive brainstorming strategies
- Structuring club meetings & basic parliamentary procedure
- Understanding officer roles and responsibilities
When: Wednesday, November 18th
Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm
Location: Tentatively at the 4-H Office (903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman)
RSVP Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA9A92AABFE3-66923527-20262027 (please put what Club you’re representing in the “Public Comment” field on the signup)
Camp Counselors Wanted
Calling all 4-H Teens (ages 14-18) - Our older 4-H members are more than participants - they are the leaders, role models and the energy behind our program. Without teens willing to step up, we cannot provide the strong program our members deserve. These leadership opportunities are also an incredible way to build leadership, communication, teamwork, event-planning and public-speaking skills that can strengthen college applications, resumes, scholarship applications and future careers.
Ready for a BIG leadership experience? Our 2027 Summer Camp will be July 31–August 4 at Yellowstone Alliance Adventures. Counselors spend months planning, preparing and leading camp for our younger members - a fantastic experience in leadership, teamwork, teaching, event planning and service.
Apply to serve as a 2026-2027 4-H Camp Counselor!
Eligibility: ages 14+ as of October 1, 2026
Application: 2026-20267CampCounselorApplicationfillable.pdf
Camp Counselor Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 by 5pm
Interviews: December 2nd & 3rd, 2026
Interview SignUp: 4-H Summer Camp: Camp Counselor Interviews
Gallatin 4-H needs YOU! You don't have to know everything. You just need the drive to learn, the commitment to show up and the willingness to lead.
All applications are available on our website: https://www.montana.edu/extension/gallatin/4hforms.html
Questions? Contact 4-H Agent Molly Yurdana at molly.yurdana@montana.edu.
Pizza with a Purpose - Support Gallatin County 4-H🍕
Join us Wednesday, December 9th, from 4–9 PM at MacKenzie River Pizza Co. in Belgrade for a delicious way to support Gallatin County 4-H!
Simply mention Gallatin County 4-H Community Night or present the flyer when you order, and 20% of your food sales will be donated back to Gallatin County 4-H!
Bring the family, invite your friends, grab some pizza, and help us raise funds to support our 4-H youth and programs. It's an easy (and tasty!) way to give back to your local 4-H community!
❤️🍕 Eat Pizza. Support 4-H. Make a Difference!
📍 MacKenzie River – Belgrade
📅 Wednesday, December 9
⏰ 4:00–9:00 PM
SHARE THIS FLYER & SPREAD THE WORD! We hope to see you there!
Earn Money for your 4-H Project or Club
NEW EVENTS RELEASED (Football, Basketball, Volleyball, PowWow, Rodeo)
We have the AMAZING opportunity to continue to work MSU Concessions and this has become a GREAT way to raise money for 4-H club/project activities! Please see the link below for the 2026 Fall Fundraising concessions events at MSU! We frequently commit to events throughout the year as they arise and update the SignUp Genius accordingly.
What does working MSU Concessions entail?
All food is made and prepped by MSU Culinary/Concessions staff, 4-H members/parents just simply sell and serve it out of one of the concessions stands on MSU Campus (Stadium or Fieldhouse depending on the event). This is a super easy, fun and quick way to make money for your Clubs/Projects and gain some skills in the service industry! A Stand Leader and MSU Concessions staff will train you on the spot with what you need to know - No experience necessary!
If club/project members sign up for an event as a group, your club/project will get ALL the tips and a percentage of the profits from that event. If multiple projects/clubs sign up for the same game, then the tips and profits will be split between the groups. So, we highly encourage you to gather up your members, pick a game/event that your club/project will work as one group to maximize the amount of money you will earn!
Depending on the event, the day/time/hours will vary and depending on our concessions stand location, the number of people we will need per game will vary. We will need a combination of youths (minimum age of 10 with parent accompaniment) and teens/adults (ages 15+) to run cash registers.
If you have any questions, please contact the 4-H Office gallatin4h@montana.edu
Shooting Sports Leader Training
Our Gallatin 4-H Shooting Sports projects serve over 200 youth every year and with another 4-H Year right around the corner, we are always looking to recruit more 4-H Shooting Sports Volunteers! Shooting Sports is a safe, fun and challenging activity that can become a lifelong passion to be shared with the family. The safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment is the primary focus of the 4-H Shooting Sports program. Youth members will improve marksmanship skills, have the opportunity to compete, and learn self-discipline and personal responsibility.
ALL 4-H shooting sports volunteers must attend a State Training workshop and become certified in a shooting discipline before serving as project leaders and volunteers. Project disciplines include: Air Pistol, Small Bore Pistol (.22), Air Rifle, Small Bore Rifle (.22), Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Hunting, and Western Heritage.
To be a certified leader in the State of Montana, the following must be satisfied:
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Be enrolled as a leader in their respective County. Passed a background check and successfully completed the Montana 4-H Volunteer Training Modules.
- All training attendees must complete the four National 4-H Shooting Sports modules on Z-Suites to be certified at the end of the practicum day. The code for Z-Suites will be shared with the folks that sign up to take the trainings.
- Be trained and certified in any discipline(s) that they are teaching at the county level.
- Participants must attend the entire training and successfully complete all aspects to receive their respective discipline certification.
- Certification is good for seven (7) years. If the discipline is not taught in the first 2 years, the course must be retaken.
The Montana 4-H Center is hosting a Shooting Sports Leader Trainings:
December 4 & 5, 2026 - Miles City
System Registration Link (must be logged into ZSuite):
https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/67476
The following disciplines will be offered at the Belgrade training:
- Rifle
-
Pistol
Archery
Shotgun
December 4 & 5, 2026 - Kalispell
System Registration Link (must be logged into ZSuite):
https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/67475
The following disciplines will be offered at the Belgrade training:
- Rifle
- Pistol
- Shotgun
- Archery
- Muzzleloader
- Hunting Skills
March 2027 - The trainings will take place after the State Shoot.
Conrad - TBD
Belgrade - TBD
Simms - Western Heritage - TBD
May 2027
Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Hunting Skills - TBD
If you will be a NEW volunteer in general, please contact us at the Gallatin 4-H Office first so we can help you create your ZSuite Volunteer account first.
Questions? Contact our Gallatin County 4-H Shooting Sports coordinator at Scott Francis at scott.francis@montana.edu
Upcoming County Workshops
Youth Winter Workshop - Wednesday, January 6, 2027 from 5:30pm - 8pm (location TBD)
- We encourage ALL Gallatin 4-H youth members (both new and returning) to attend. This will be the first county-wide record book training of the year, a great opportunity to learn parliamentary procedure and learn how to get involved in upcoming county events and contests!
Winter Training Series for Adults - Leadership development opportunities for ANY and ALL 4-H Adults (parents/volunteers)
- These workshops will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6pm-8pm at our 4-H Extension Office; January 13, January 20, January 27 and February 3. We encourage you to attend all four training nights, or you may pick and choose based on what you feel would best help you. We are bringing in external facilitators that are well versed in these training topics to ensure your time is well spent.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Our Gallatin 4-H BAND app has ALL 4-H meetings/events listed in one place in the calendar tool (Join BAND here)
OCTOBER 31 Returning 4-H Youth & Volunteer Re-Enrollment Deadline
NOVEMBER 1 Montana 4-H Virtual Leadership Academy - Session #1 (see post above)
NOVEMBER 3 Foundation Committee Meeting
NOVEMBER 3 ULC Committee Meeting
NOVEMBER 6-8 Montana 4-H Fall Leadership Training (Butte, MT - see flyer above)
NOVEMBER 10 New 4-H Family Orientation
NOVEMBER 11 OFFICE CLOSED (Veteran's Day)
NOVEMBER 13 MSU Concessions Fundraiser - All-Class Volleyball Game (see SignUp above)
NOVEMBER 17 Market Livestock Committee Meeting
NOVEMBER 18 Club Officer Training (RSVP above)
NOVEMBER 20 MSU Concessions Fundraiser - MSU Volleyball Game (see SignUp above)
NOVEMBER 21 MSU Concessions Fundraiser - Football Game (see SignUp above)
NOVEMBER 23 Newsletter Blurbs DUE
NOVEMBER 25-27 OFFICE CLOSED (Thanksgiving)
NOVEMBER 30 Club/Committee 1% DUE to office
See November Committee, Club and Project updates in sections below.
DECEMBER 1 Camp Counselor Applications Due (see post above)
DECEMBER 1 ULC Meeting
DECEMBER 2-3 Camp Counselor Interviews (see SignUp above)
DECEMBER 7 MSU Concessions Fundraiser - Basketball Game (see SignUp above)
DECEMBER 13 Montana 4-H Virtual Leadership Academy - Session #2 (see post above)
DECEMBER 23-25 OFFICE CLOSED (Christmas)
DECEMBER 31-JANUARY 1 OFFICE CLOSED (New Year's)
UNLIMITED LEADERS COUNCIL (ULC)
ULC meets the first Tuesday of every month, with our next meeting on November 3, 2026 at 6pm at the 4-H Office.
The primary purpose of the Unlimited Leaders Council (ULC) is to provide guidance and assistance to the county Extension staff in planning and conducting educational programs. Gallatin County Unlimited Leaders Council is the governing body of Gallatin County 4-H and all the committees within the county 4-H program.
MARKET LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE (MLC)
Our next full committee meeting will be Wednesday, October 7th at 6:00pm at the 4-H Office.
The purpose of the Market Livestock Committee is to develop and promote all market livestock projects (Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Rabbit, and Poultry) in 4-H and FFA on a county-wide basis, with support offered to non-market projects as well (Dairy Cow, Dairy Goat, Horse, Breed/Breeding projects).They provide members the educational experience and support to responsibly raise, care for, and sell their 4-H/FFA market animals; organize & facilitate the Gallatin County 4-H/FFA Market Sale; create and enforce the FairBook Rules specific to all livestock species; and work together as a committee to set and enforce the standard for all livestock projects.
GALLATIN 4-H FOUNDATION, INC.
The mission of the Gallatin 4-H Foundation is to aid and promote, by financial assistance and support, all types of 4-H Programs and other Extension Youth Programs.
UPDATE to Meeting Schedule for 2026-2027 4-H Year:
Meetings will now be held on the 1st Tuesday at 5:30pm in November, January, June, and September PRIOR to the ULC meeting. The committee will also meet in April, but on a different date/time for our scholarship review meeting.
Our next committee meeting will be held Tuesday, November 3rd at 5:30pm at the 4-H Office.
Club Leader:
Monika Johnson (406) 579-3211 mijmontana@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
MSU Animal Bioscience Bldg., Bozeman Campus
3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm
The Dag Nabids are very excited to kick off this year strong! Thanks to everyone who voted for us in the Tire Display Contest, it was fun to come together to create the winning project.
For our first parliamentary meeting in October, we made some amendments to our club constitution and bylaws and we voted for the four main club positions. After voting, the following people were elected into these positions:
President: Adriana
Vice president: Remi
Secretary: Elliot
Treasurer: Juliet
Congratulations to our newly elected officers!
Looking ahead, Dag Nabids are excited for:
November 17, 6:00pm Club meeting at the MSU Ag Bio Science Building
November 18, 5:30-8:00 Club officer training at the Extension Office
December TBD Senior Rest Home pet share
December TBD Pizza/elephant gift party
We have a lot of cool ideas for activities this year. We will continue to post everything on Band. Lastly, we would like to welcome all the new Dag Nabids members. It is really fun to have new people join us!
Club Leader:
Kirsten Drake (406) 945-2290 kdrakem@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Anderson School, Bozeman
2nd Wednesday of each month at 3:45pm
The Hyalite Hawks started our year with our 1st meeting Oct 14th. We welcomed new club members and spent most of our meeting getting to know each other. Members were encouraged to think about how they can get involved in 4H beyond club meetings and projects. The returning members were challenged to involve themselves in a 4H activity they didn’t do last year, ie: concessions, community service project, county activity, fair entry or summer camp.
Our next meeting with be on November 11th at 3:45pm. We will elect club officers and plan our activities for the year.
Club Leader:
Jessica Black (406) 539-0940 theblacksmail@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Gallatin Gateway Community Center, Gateway
2nd Monday of each month at 6:30pm
The Gallatin Gateway Challengers met on October 12 for our first meeting of the year. We called the meeting to order at 7:02pm and adjourned at 8:09pm. Topics discussed included club expectations, project enrollment, and new officer elections. If you are interested in joining the club, please reach out to Mrs. Black (contact above). Our next meeting will be Monday, November 9th @ 6:30pm at the Gallatin Gateway Community Center.
2025-2026 outgoing Officer Team
2026-2027 incoming Officer Team
Club Leaders:
Ashley Casto (406) 586-6134 ajcasto@gmail.com
Talitha Mitchell (406) 599-5368 tilitha.m.mitchell@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Divine Mercy Academy, Belgrade
2nd Friday of each month at 6:00pm
Club Leader:
Cassie Smieja (406) 539-3833 smiejahay@latmt.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Springhill Church, Belgrade
1st Sunday of each month at 4:00pm
Happy November!! Our regular monthly meeting is Sunday, November 1st, 4pm at Springhill Church. We will outline expectations, go over our club calendar, hold Officer elections and begin our mandatory fundraiser. If you can, bring colored pencils/crayons to make our Senior citizen Christmas cards.
Club Leader:
Lindsey Klebenow (406) 551-3841 shiningmountaineers@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
161 W. Madison Ave, Belgrade
2nd Monday of each month at 6:00pm
What a fantastic start to our new 4-H year!
Thank you to everyone who attended our October meeting! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and welcome all of our NEW families! I am excited to see what this year has in store for our club and to watch our members grow in leadership, confidence, friendships, and skills.
New families: I strongly encourage you to attend the annual 4-H Information Night hosted by Molly. This is an incredibly helpful opportunity to learn the ins and outs of 4-H, ask questions, and get your family off to a great start!
At our October meeting, we established our Cleanup Crew, Christmas Party Committee, Fundraising/Community Service Committee, and Education/Recreation Committee. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to get involved!
🎉 Congratulations to Our 2026–2027 Club Officers!
- President: Maggie
- Vice President: Jake
- Secretary: Savannah
- Treasurer: Roslyn
- Historian: Kianna
- Parliamentarian: Luke
- Reporter: Roslyn
We look forward to seeing these young leaders take on their responsibilities and help make this a successful year!
🏆 National 4-H Week Success!
A big congratulations to our club for earning 2nd Place in the National 4-H Week Display Competition! What a wonderful accomplishment and a great way to represent the Shining Mountaineers!
📅 Next Club Meeting
Monday, November 9, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
We are excited to welcome Samantha Farret with Montana Farmers Union, who will be joining us for a special educational presentation!
Thank you again to all of our families for your involvement, enthusiasm, and support. Here's to another wonderful year of learning by doing, growing together, and making a difference in our community!
Club Notes:
- Youth members ages 13-19 ONLY (age as of Oct. 1st)
Club Leader:
Kelly Pavlik (406) 600-1016 kelly.pavlik@barnard-inc.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Gallatin River Fellowship, Manhattan
1st Monday of each month at 6:30pm
The Dry Creek 4-H Club will have our first meeting on Monday November 2nd at 6:30pm in the Gallatin River Fellowship Church in Manhattan AND WILL INCLUDE DINNER. This meeting we will focus on reconnecting and setting expectations for the 4-H Year. The planning committee already has a great start, with lots of opportunities to jump in yet this fall and into Winter. More details will appear on the Club BAND. We hope you'll check us out if you're looking for a club in the Manhattan area.
Please reach out if you have any questions!
This kids want fed this year @ meetings ;-) Seems to be a theme with successful groups (incentives the kids to come and participate) so I'm all-in 🙌
Here is the signup for THE ENTIRE YEAR: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4DADA92AA0F8CF8-67200448-drycreek#/. I tried to put meeting topics we discussed during our planning but those are subject to change.
The Signup does not dictate what to bring but a pair of families can coordinate the meal and drinks. Watch the RSVPs to gauge quantities, but plan for some last-minute adds. IDK...maybe they'll get on track with RSVPing when they run out of food a few times 😜
There is a 7-day reminder set on the signup so if you grab one way out and you can no longer cover it, please post to the group for a substitute. ~ TIA to everyone for the help! 🍀
Club Notes:
- Youth members enrolled in Livestock Projects ONLY
Club Leader:
JoBeth Hutchison jobethaskin_6998@hotmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
See below
Hello Gallatin Valley Livestock Club Families!
Welcome to a brand-new 4-H year! We are excited to get started and look forward to another great year of learning, growing, making memories, and building our livestock skills together.
We are also excited to welcome our new club leader, JoBeth Hutchison, to the Gallatin Valley Livestock Club! We are looking forward to having her join us this year.
📅 Our First Club Meeting
- Date: November 10th
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: Manhattan High School Commons
This will be a great opportunity to kick off the year, reconnect with returning members, welcome new families, and discuss what’s ahead for our club.
Whether you are a returning 4-H family or joining us for the first time, we are glad you are part of the Gallatin Valley Livestock Club! We look forward to a fun and successful year filled with new opportunities, hard work, and plenty of 4-H memories.
Please mark your calendars, and we look forward to seeing everyone on November 10th!
Here's to a great new 4-H year!
Club Notes:
- Youth members ages 8-12 ONLY (age as of Oct. 1st)
Club Leaders:
Sarah Simser (406) 580-4730 erring@gmail.com
Erica Sebring (360) 969-4271 elsebring@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Gallatin River Fellowship, Manhattan
2nd Monday of each month at 6:00pm
Our first meeting on October 13 was well attended with lots of new and returning members. Miss Rebecca led a fun icebreaker where the kids had to act like elephants and giraffes (don't ask 😉). The kids shared out their service reports and which projects they were signed up for. Nominations were held for President, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian(s). Our activity was fun - the kids wrote ideas for what we can do this year as a club on sticky notes and pasted them on the wall. Then the members voted on their favorite ideas. Our next meeting will be Monday, November 9th. Keep an eye on the Club BAND for updates.
Looks like we will have a packed calendar this 4-H year, with these activities receiving the most votes: skiing, bowling, painting ceramics at Arts on Fire, running a 5K and the Butte waterpark; top-voted community service projects: walking dogs for elderly people, visiting the senior center, shoveling snow, coat drive; and the top-voted fund raisers: wrapping gifts at Murdochs, bake sale, karaoke at the Manhattan Christmas stroll, designing and selling teeshirts for sale.
Upcoming Meetings:
Nov 9th – Officer Elections, Calendar, Goal Setting/Record Keeping, Holiday Planning
Dec – Food Boxes with Presbyterian Church / Stockings for Seniors Service Project
Jan – County Communications Day Prep/StirUps & Baking, Learn about Demonstrations
Feb – Give Demonstrations, Valentine or Veterans Service Project?
Mar – Plan for Spring Service Project, Parli Pro and running meetings
April –Project Education: SOMETHING OUTSIDE!
May – Project Education, Record Book Workshop, Summer and Fair preparations
June – Club Project Tour, Year-End BBQ, Summer Activities
July - FAIR
August - 4-H Camp
Sept – Wrap up the year and evaluate feedback in effort to plan for the coming year
Reminders:
- Attendance at more than 50% of the meetings is required (likely 9 meetings will be offered)
- It is required that they participate in our Club Public Speaking Opportunity typically at a Club meeting OR participate in our County’s Communications Day event (i.e Career Communications, Video Contest, Stir-Ups, etc..) - more information on this will be forthcoming
- It is required that they turn in the My 4-H Year portion of their Record Book (even if they do not participate in fair) prior to the next 4-H Year beginning
- Parent involvement is required (and appreciated☺) especially with younger members
- At the monthly Club meetings the kids decide on activities, fundraisers, etc. as well as learn about opportunities outside the club. Typical meeting is approx 1 - 1.5 hours long (equal parts Recreation, Business, Educational)
- One Host Family per meeting: coordinate snack & provide Recreation (game, teambuilding, icebreaker)
Club Leader:
Cassandra Mitchell (406) 223-0146 cassyjh@hotmail.com
Samantha Lloyd lloydsherd@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Three Forks/Clarkston, locations vary
Meetings vary - Contact Leader
Club Leader:
Sarah Noonan (406) 529-6185 sarahann.noonan@gmail.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
United Methodist Church Annex, Three Forks
3rd Monday of each month at 6:30pm
Willow Creek Wranglers Club had a great first meeting of the year! We were able to rake 7 bags of leaves 🍁🍂for the Methodist church. We had a yummy meal of lamb chili with rolls and played an icebreaker game. We started making some important club decisions & yearly planning in the business meeting.
🍀Next meeting will be on November 16th @ 6:30. We will be electing our new club officers for the year. If you would like to throw your hat in the ring for a position, please come prepared to tell everyone why you would be a good candidate.
Our business meetings will continue to be held every 3rd Monday of the month, 6:30pm, at the TF United Methodist Church Annex building.
Please download the Band App and join the Willow Creek Wranglers page for announcements, RSVP's and timely updates about club happenings!
Calendar Items of Note:
November 10 @ 6:30- New Family Orientation (see office announcement)
November 16@ 6:30- Club Business Meeting & Officer Elections
November 18- CountyWide Club Officer Training Workshop
December 5? TBD- Club service day at KG Ranch
December 21@6:30- Club Business Meeting & Holiday Gathering
Project Notes:
- Youth members must be at least 8 years old (age as of Oct. 1st) to participate.
- If you are already participating in Livestock Judging with FFA, please do not signup to participate/compete in this 4-H Project.
Project Leader:
Cody Brownell (406) 209-4183 livestockjudging_cody@yahoo.com
Meeting Place, Date & Time:
Gallatin County Extension Office, Bozeman
Practices & Competitions will vary - Schedule will be emailed
Hello everyone and welcome to the 4-H year. Our livestock judging project is well underway and our team has been doing well. Our senior team went to the NILE Stockshow in October, and competed with teams from all over the state, as well as neighboring states, and took 5th place! This is the second year in a row with a 5th place finish at NILE.
We are into our weekly meetings with classroom style work as well as farm visits. We try and meet every Tuesday at either a conference room or a farm. These days may vary and will be communicated through email so keep an eye on your inbox.
There are still several competitions left for the year so get signed up if you havent already. As always, please reach out with any questions you may have. My email is livestockjudging_cody@yahoo.com or my phone is 406-209-4183 if a text message or call is easier.
