Montana farmer-stockman. [volume], October 01, 1948, Page 24, Image 24

About Montana farmer-stockman. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1947-1993

Image provided by: Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT

                
The Montana Rural Home
Amy Martin
Household Editor
1 There Was Fun, Friendliness and Fruitful Discussion and Activity at
The Third Annual Montana 4*H Club Congress
I
By AMY MARTIN and PEGGY DUNNE
4-H CLUB PLEDGE
I pledge my head to clear think
ing;
My heart to greater loyalty;
My hands to larger service;.
And my health to better living
For my club, my community and
my country.
rpHE second week of September,
148 boys and 183 girls, members
of the 4-H clubs in Montana, along
with 16 men and 53 women leaders
went to Montana State college at
Bozeman for four days of work and
fun.
If anyone is skeptical about
America's youth having a purpose,
being able to use hands and brain,
he should have watched the demon
strations, listened to the discussions
and mingled with these young men
and women in their recreation.
After matins and breakfast each
morning, everyone went to the as
sembly in the big gymnasium. First
there was the processional when the
American flag and the 4-H banner
were placed on the platform. The
pledge of allegiance to the flag, the
4-H pledge and the invocation were
led by some 4-H member. Then
there was much peppy singing led
by Geraldine Fenn, assistant state
4-H leader, with Wesley Tiue ac
companying. After the announce
ments and introductions of special
guests, the program of the day was
off to a flying start.
The first morning it was a tour
of the campus conducted by 4-H
club members who are students at
the college.
Responsible Citizenship
"Creating a More Responsible
Citizenship" was the theme running
throughout the congress. It was em
phasized in the daily discussions.
The first discussion "Creating a
More Responsible Citizenship in the
Home and Farm Yard" was led off
by Betty Don McMillan, Phyllis
Todd, Wayne Herrin and David Nor
ton, all college 4-H students.
The second day R. B. TooteR, di
rector of Montana extension serv
ice, spoke on "Creating a More Re
sponsible Citizenship in the School
Yard." The third morning Margaret
Kohl, assistant state leader of 4-H,
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In the foods judging contest, the loaves were scrutinized from all sides, tasted
and pinched. Left to right: Joan Skillman, Park county; Mae Luoma, Carbon;
Margaret Longman, Fergus; Margaret Miles, Lewis and Clark, and Joyce Ferrin.
Valley.
started the discussion, "Creating a
More Responsible Citizenship in
Henry's Back Yard." The fourth day
was the climax when four boys and
four girls were chosen to summarize
the discussions of the three previous
days. It was fast and scintillating.
Never a Dull Moment
There was really never a dull mo
ment. If you were attending the dis
cussions led by Dr. J. P. Schmidt,
professor of rural sociology and su
pervisor of Farm institutes, Ohio
State college, you were missing the
demonstration. When you were at
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—Montana State College Photos
Just after the winner of the Style revue had been announced. Left to right;
Ernest Holmes, Rosebud county; Martha Roffler, Jefferson; John Kindschy, Hill;
Richard Bell, Hill; Lois Liggett, Teton, and Beverly Baringer. Rosebud, the win
ner. Beverly was a winner for her gracious personality and her modesty as well
as for her dressmaking accomplishments. A cotton dress in natural color with
brown tie and belt went well with her lovely auburn hair.
the highlights.
ledge. "To Care for the Lungs of
the demonstration your thoughts
might wonder back to yesterday's
discussion about the United Nations
and how little one really knows
about what's going on in other parts
of the world.
The discussion groups were among
Dr. Schmidt was
keen and had a grand sense of hu
mor. He kept the discussion moving.
Here was the crux of 4-H club
work. A practical background made
clear thinking natural. Knowing
how to do a thing with one's hands
gives a particular value to know
Tractors," "Altering a Dress Pat
tem," "Culling Chickens," "To Fire
Proof Fabrics," "How to Make an
Electric Pig Brooder,"—all these
topics are more closely related per
haps than we realize with the prob
lems confronting*all the world.
Selecting a project in which one
is especially interested, then con
ducting research in it is the method
used for gaining knowledge. When
we questioned one of the demon
strators why he had selected cattle
grubs for his project, he replied
that he wanted to be able to protect
his heifers from this pest. He sent
for bulletins, he got books on the
subject and he asked those who had
had experience with cattle grub,
His was an excellent demonstration,
He showed the hide of an animal
that had not been infected. He had
charts and statistics and he applied
the best method for his problem to
his animals. When questioned by the
judge he was able to talk intelli
gently,
Certainly demonstrations develop
a poise and composure in standing
before a group and expressing know
ledge or ideas. There were 35 home
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One of the small groups discussing the controversial statements of the day. Left
to right: Dr. J. F. Schmidt, Peggy Carmody, Madison-Jefferson county; Mrs. C. H.
Kampschor, Dawson; Jean Jaquette, Ravalli; Valeria Barley, Rosebud, and Don
Lichlwardt, Lewis and Clark.
economics and 30 agricultural dem
onstrations. Always there were girls
listening attentively to the agricul
tural demonstrations. That was to
be expected because women and
girls are interested in the whole
subject of grains and animals on the
farm.
Likewise there were boys at the
girls' demonstrations. We thought it
wonderful that boys were taking
«uch an interest in the home proj
ects, and we decided to ask about
it A fruit pie was being prepared
in a masterful manner for the oven.
It was mouth watering to be sure.
We cornered a couple of boys near
vs as to why their interest in dem
onstrations. "Because," one of them
replied, "she promised us a piece of
the pie."
Judging
Judging was another high light.
The ability to differentiate between
a good beef animal and a poor one
is essential for any stockman. The
quality of sheets and pillowcases is
important for the housewife who
spends the money for the household
needs. It was interesting however,
that the girls got into the agricul
tural judging contests and won some
of the blue ribbons. On the other
hand the boys left the judging of
foods, home living and clothing en
tirely to the girls.
One wants to say a word for the
local leaders, these 16 men and 53
women who took their time to leave
home and ranch to come to the con
gress. There could surely be no
greater thrill to any adult who be
lieves in than
the earnest purpose of these young
folks and their willingness to try
and try again.
And to be the leader of a winner
is a joy that has its own reward.
Martin Luther once said that he
always removed his hat in the pres
ence of a boy or girl because he
might be standing in the presence
of one of the great ones of the earth.
As we watched that first assembly
on Monday morning we believe we
know what he meant.
Two leaders made a special trip
to the congress for a very special
reason. Mrs. Henry Hendricksen,
Richland county and Mr. R, W. Carr,