Invasive Woody Tree Management 2023 grant opportunity

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is currently seeking applications for the AGR HB821 Invasive Woody Tree Management 2023 Grant. Applications are due by Sunday, July 2, 2023.

During the 68th Legislative Session, HB821 passed which appropriated $250,000 from the general fund to the Montana Department of Agriculture for one time only funding for invasive woody tree management in Yellowstone, Musselshell, and Stillwater Counties.

Eligible Applicants:

MDA shall provide grants to the appropriate local entities for the purpose of managing and controlling existing infestations of saltcedar, Russian olive, and common buckthorn within the three counties. Applicants must work with and apply through an organization, such as a weed district, conservation district, extension office, non-profit, or tribal weed district to be eligible.

Please contact Jasmine Chaffee at 406444-3140 for questions about eligibility.

To apply, please visit: funding.mt.gov/.

Montana 4-H Congress set for July

From the MSU News Service beat shows focused on human connection.

The 78th annual Montana 4-H Congress is set for July 9-14 on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman.

Montana 4-H expects more than 300 4-H youth, volunteers and MSU Extension faculty to be in attendance. This year’s theme is TV 4-H Network.

Montana 4-H Congress events, which are for youth ages 13-19, are designed to provide a safe and fun environment for competitive and social events, educational workshops, service-learning and more. Pre-Congress activities allow youth to learn by doing, build confidence and work together as they plan conference events. Meanwhile, competitive events – on topics ranging from livestock and quilting to public speaking and career communications – allow youth to work toward goals and learn from results.

The Montana 4-H Congress will also host keynote speaker Scotty Wiese, who will present “How to Magically Connect and Succeed in Life.” Wiese is a magician, speaker and author who is known for his up-

The 4-H Congress event positively impacts youth by inviting them to form relationships with peers from around Montana, with new ideas and the faculty who present those ideas, and with higher education and college life, according to Todd Kesner, director of Montana 4-H.

“At its core, the event is designed to bring people together,” he said.

Youth who are interested in attending the Montana 4-H Congress are invited to contact their local MSU Extension office. Deadlines vary by community.

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A man comes home from an appointment with his physician and looks upset. “What happened?” his concerned wife asked. “Did the doctor give you bad news?” “The worst news,” the despondent man said. “She told me I should give up golf.” His wife, now a bit relieved, asked, “Why, did she examine your back?” “No,” the husband replied, “She examined my scorecard.”