Plant Sciences Project

Gardening Project

You will learn a lot in the gardening project with 4 different levels. Each level is geared toward a certain grade.

Level A: grades 3-4 Learn how to plan an in-ground or container garden.

Level B: grades 5-6 Learn how to modify garden plans, plant families and how to grow new plants from plant parts.

Level C: grades 7-9 Learn different planting methods, photosynthesis, identify and prevent weeds.

Level D: grades 10-12 Learn how to maximize garden space, how to harvest, store, preserve, and/or sell vegetables and herbs.

Those are just a few topics the youth will learn within this project

Project Requirements

Project Books Required? No

Project books can be purchased here

*** Please note, if you do not attend at least one workshop in your project area during the 4-H year, you will be required to complete activities in your project book and turn it in with your record book. The number of activities required to complete a 4-H year in each project book can be found here.

what needs to be accomplished to move forward from level A book?

• 2 years in 4-H gardening
• Attend at least 4 gardening workshops 
• Grow at least 2 plants from seed
• Show at the fair or demonstration at a workshop and complete project book

What needs to be accomplished to move forward from Level B book?

• Plan and make some type of garden
• Attend 4 gardening workshops
• Grow 4 plants from seed
• Show in fair or demonstration 
• Show at the fair or demonstration at a workshop and complete project book

What needs to be accomplished to move forward from Level C Book?

• Complete Level C book activities

What needs to be accomplished to move forward from Level D Book?

• Complete Level D book activities

Project age limit? 8 and up

What should new members know?

Like many other 4-H projects, you will need to attend a minimum of 3 gardening workshops in order to enter garden projects into the 2025 4-H Fair. 

Project Superintendent Information

Gardening Superintendent: Jessica Kinyon
Contact: jesskinyon@gmail.com or 406-450-0942

How will you be contacted? Email

This project is suggested for youth in grades 5–12. Level 1 and 2
members can study plant variety and selection, display stages of
plant development, test seed germination and methods of seeding,
learn about seasonal pests and determine pesticide hazards. Level
3 and 4 members can take soil samples, learn to recognize diseases,
pests, and weeds, study production costs and market prices, learn
about necessary nutrients and determine field acreages.

Project Requirements

Project Books Required? Yes

Project books can be purchased here

*** Please note, if you do not attend at least one workshop in your project area during the 4-H year, you will be required to complete activities in your project book and turn it in with your record book. The number of activities required to complete a 4-H year in each project book can be found here.

Project age limit? 8 and up

Project Superintendent Information

Crop Science Superintendent: Vacant
Contact:
How will you be contacted?

Weed Science looks at one of the most important environmental problems in Montana. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of agriculture, nature and biodiversity. You'll also and agriculture and recognize important weeds in Montana. Learn how to make a plant press, how to display and mount weeds, the science of weed control, various biological methods for controlling weeds, the beneficial uses for weeds and which weeds you can cook and eat. You will study how weeds use different dispersal methods for propagation, why weeds are fierce competitors and you'll have the opportunity to instill in others the desire to actively control weeds.

Project Requirements

Project Books Required? No

Project books can be purchased here

*** Please note, if you do not attend at least one workshop in your project area during the 4-H year, you will be required to complete activities in your project book and turn it in with your record book. The number of activities required to complete a 4-H year in each project book can be found here.

What needs to be accomplished to move on to level 2?

• Complete at least 12 mounted specimens or demonstrate growth of knowledge of subject matter or complete level one project book (no required) or complete 3 years as level one and desires to move up. 

What needs to be accomplished to move on to level 3?

• Complete all level 2 projects or demonstrate growth of knowledge of subject matter or complete level two project book (no required) or complete 3 years as level two and desires to move up.

What needs to be accomplished to move to the next levels from here?

• Design an independent study project
• Discuss with leader ideas for further study

   

Project age limit? 8 and up

What should new members know?

Weed science explores the impact of weeds on the ecosystem, agriculture and wildlife. We collect and identify weed species, collect bio controls and take field trips across the state. No special tools are needed. 

Project Superintendent Information

Weed Science Superintendent: Jessica Bushnell
Contact: jgatesiws(at)gmail.com or 406-370-3209
How will you be contacted? Email and text

Junior Superintendent: William Bushnell