About Lewis & Clark County 4-H
4-H, Yesterday and Today
The foundations of 4-H began in 1902 through the work of several people in different parts of the United States. Educators at land grant universities discovered that the best way to introduce improved farming and farm-homemaking practices was through young people who were more open to new ideas and would share these ideas with adults. The idea of practical and “hands-on” learning came from the desire to connect public school education to agricultural life.
The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA and nationalized 4-H. By 1924, 4-H clubs were formed and the clover emblem was adopted.
Today, 4-H is America's largest youth development organization, empowering young people with skills to lead for a lifetime.
New 4-H Family Handbook
A good start to learn about the Lewis & Clark County 4-H Program!
The 4-H Year (at a glance)
The 4-H year starts on October 1st and ends on September 30th. At the beginning of each year, members and volunteers must re-enroll. This includes completing and turning in forms, paying an enrollment fee, and selecting your project areas.
October - Start of the 4-H Year
- Enrollment and re-enrollment begins October 1st
- Re-enrollment due by December 31st
- Late re-enrollments increase to $50
- Enrollment of new families continuous
- Last day to sign up and be eligible for Fair is May 1st
- Volunteer enrollment continuous
- Re-enrollment due by December 31st
- Clubs hold their first meeting of the year. Please be sure to attend!
- Review the New 4-H Family Handbook
- Montana 4-H Fall Ambassador Training
- Awards Night - Apply for awards HERE
- Open House - An event put on by clubs and projects to invite the community to learn more about 4-H.
November
- Project materials are ordered and distributed at Club meetings by Club leaders.
- You can also purchase project materials online HERE
December
- Club holiday activities
- Market beef possession and tagging form due
- Re-enrollment deadline -- December 31st. $50 late fee after this date.
- Enrollment of new families is continuous.
January
- IFYE (International 4-H Youth Exchange) applications are due for delegates
- Market beef tagging
- Lewis and Clark County 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational
February
- People Partner Grant applications - due February 1st
- County Grand Foods and Stir Ups Contest
March
- Communications Day
- Montana 4-H Recreation Lab (Rec Lab) - Held every year in a rotating location across the state, this event is open to 4-H members age 13 or older. The focus is on learning to coordinate activities and to send youth home with new activities and ideas for use in their local clubs and camps.
- 4-H Citizenship Seminar, Helena (odd-numbered years)
- 4-H Legislative Breakfast (odd-numbered years) - This event provides an opportunity to educate Montana legislators about the work and successes of 4-H and MSU Extension. It brings youth and adult constituents from across the state together to share ideas, issues and concerns. Organized by Montanans for 4-H.
April
May
- Montana 4-H State Award
- Market lamb and possession and tagging
- Meat goat possession and tagging
- Senior Night
- Photo Show
June
- Record Books are checked by project leaders between May 1st and May 31st. Please visit the project page or contact your project leader for specific instructions.
- This is required to enter your project into the Fair.
- Montana 4-H Congress Registration - This event is held for teen 4-H members every year in Bozeman on the Montana State University campus. Students can qualify to participate in everything from Livestock Judging to Public Speaking to the Fashion Review to Stir-Ups, a cooking and nutrition event. Members can also attend to assist with competitions or activities and attend leadership workshops. Between 300-400 members from across the state come together to compete, socialize, participate in leadership workshops, and experience campus life.
- Lewis & Clark County 4-H Camp
- Fair entries
July
August
- Carcass evaluation
- Record books due August 31st to Club Leaders
September - End of the 4-H Year
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Director of Extension, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717