Townsend 4-H Volunteers given Lifetime Volunteer Awards
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
Townsend 4-H Volunteers given Lifetime Volunteer Awards
Allison Kosto
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
During this past year, Montana 4-H recognized volunteers who have made an innovative change and impact on the 4-H program, positively affecting the lives of youth, and creating a standard of excellence that helps motivate others. Broadwater County 4-H was fortunate to have two volunteers recognized this year, Jason Noyes and Julianne Hill.
In February, Jason Noyes received the 2022 Montana 4-H District 6 Lifetime Volunteer Award at the Montana 4-H Volunteer Institute in Billings. Noyes started volunteering with the 4-H archery program in 2010, and the program has grown in leaps and bounds, nearly doubling since that time. In addition to coordinating the archery program, Noyes has been a member of the Broadwater County 4-H Livestock Committee since 2013. In 2016, he was elected chairman of the committee and continues to serve in that role. The 4-H livestock program has also seen considerable growth during this time.
One of Noyes’ accomplishments on the Livestock Committee was to successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. He worked with the Extension Office to develop a plan that enabled 4-H activities to continue, even though the rest of the Fair was canceled in 2020. One of the COVID changes was moving the show ring underneath a tent outside. This change was so popular that Noyes initiated a plan to construct a 4-H Livestock Pavilion in its place. Noyes successfully worked with the Broadwater County Trust Board, County Commissioners and private donors to raise over $450,000 for the project. In the summer of 2023, the 4-H program will enjoy the pavilion for the first time.
Outside of 4-H, running a farm and keeping up with four children, Noyes is actively involved in the community and is the chairman of the Townsend School Board. He is a visionary leader who looks forward to the future to allow the 4-H program to continue to grow and thrive.
In July, Julianne Hill was awarded the 2023 Montana 4-H Lifetime Volunteer Award at Montana 4-H Congress in Bozeman. Hill has been a member of the 4-H Livestock Committee since 2013 and has served as the Secretary and Treasurer since 2014. To say that Hill is just the Secretary and Treasurer of the 4-H Livestock Committee is an understatement. She does so much more than that and works tirelessly behind the scenes to make the Fair and Livestock Sale run smoothly. Some of her tasks include coordinating awards, securing sponsors, creating show orders and designing the barn duty schedule. Julianne also plays a major role in organizing the Livestock Shows and is responsible for all of the bookkeeping for the sale. She has the unique ability to think of all the minor details from making sure the Fair office is stocked with supplies to handwriting thank yous for volunteers.
Additionally, Julianne and her daughter raise hogs that they sell to 4-H members. However, for Julianne, it’s much more than a business. She goes out of her way to help youth learn and be successful. She assists members with their project books and answers questions about caring for hogs. She even answered a late-night call from a 4-H member whose hog was having issues farrowing and ended up traveling to his home to assist.
Even though Julianne no longer has kids in the 4-H program, she has continued to volunteer. At Fair, you can often find her working diligently in her Fair office, even into the late hours. She never complains and always has a smile on her face. She is patient even when getting asked the same questions over and over again. She has incredible organizational skills and is dependable to get the job done. She always has the kids’ best interests in her heart and is dedicated to making the best better.
Take a moment at the Fair to thank Noyes and Hill and other volunteers who work hard to make the event a success and for all they do throughout the year. For information on 4-H or to volunteer, contact the MSU Extension Office in Broadwater County at 406-266-9242 or broadwater@montana.edu. 4-H is the youth development program of Montana State University Extension.
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PhotoCredit: E. Brush Photography
Image 1 Caption: Julianne Hill receiving her award at Montana 4-H Congress 2023.
Photo Credit: E. Brush Photography
