About the Montana 4-H Foundation

Together, we’re building stronger communities and a brighter future for Montana.

A young woman with blonde hair, smiling and giving two thumbs up, wearing a gray cap with a logo, a black T-shirt, a VIP pass lanyard, and jeans, sitting in a chair indoors.

Our mission is to help 4-H youth by raising private funds, managing financial resources, and partnering with the MSU Extension to fund educational opportunities for Montana 4-H youth, volunteer leaders, and staff.

A woman standing at a podium with a sign that reads 'Montana State University Strand Union,' speaking or preparing to speak. Behind her, there is a backdrop with green four-leaf clover symbols and a white flag on the right side.

We connect generous donors like you to nearly 20,000 Montana youth each year, helping fund hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, and community service that lasts a lifetime.

Through your support, 4-H youth gain confidence, communication skills, and a deep understanding of what it means to be a responsible, engaged citizen. 

What We Do

Thanks to your generosity, the Montana 4-H Foundation is able to:

  • Engage nearly 20,000 youth across all 56 counties in Montana annually

  • Train 4,000 volunteers who mentor and lead with care

  • Educate 6,000+ youth through outdoor and environmental learning projects

  • Offer more than 200 research-backed, hands-on learning experiences

  • Equip youth with employable life skills and public speaking confidence

  • Provide scholarships, leadership camps, and support for county-level 4-H programs

Group of young women at an indoor event, with one woman in a green jacket holding a candle, and another woman in a green blazer reading from a paper, smiling.
Graduate celebrating outdoors in cap and gown with diploma raised, with a brick building and green trees in the background.

“Because of 4-H, I have become a true leader through public speaking, teamwork, and service. I’ve made friends I’ll never forget.”

17-year-old 4-Her, Pondera County

Why it Matters

4-H doesn’t just shape individuals, it shapes communities. Whether it’s a livestock project, a science fair, or a leadership summit, these experiences are preparing young Montanans to thrive in school, careers, and life.

Your donation ensures that every youth, no matter where they live, has access to the tools, mentors, and opportunities they need to grow.

Four-leaf clover with white H symbols on each leaf, dark green background

Meet Our Team

We’re a small team with a statewide mission. Meet the people behind the partnerships and progress.

  • A woman with short brown hair, wearing a coral blazer and black lace top, smiling at the camera against a dark gray background.

    Gillette Vaira, M.A.

    Director and Development Officer

  • A woman with long, wavy blonde hair, wearing earrings, a patterned blouse, and a black blazer, smiling against a gray background.

    Kelsey Proue

    Program Manager

  • A young woman with blonde hair smiling outdoors in fall, resting her chin on her hand, with a blurred background of trees and fallen leaves.

    Addisyn Bengtson

    Student Worker

Directors

  • Carrie Taylor

    Past President

  • A smiling woman with glasses in a library or bookstore, wearing a floral blouse.

    Roni Baker

    President
    MSU Yellowstone County 4-H Extension Agent

  • Carter Jasper

    Carter Jasper

    Vice President
    College Student 

  • A young person with red hair and glasses smiling at the camera, wearing a teal jacket and a plaid shirt underneath.

    Amanda Williams

    Secretary
    Carter County Extension Agent

  • A woman with brown hair smiling, wearing a navy lace top and a long necklace, standing in front of a blurred background of a bookshelf or storage unit.

    Carrie Sue Lerum

    Treasurer
    Partner - Rocky Ridge Angus
    ​Accounting Supervisor - RMW Accounting, Shelby 

  • A smiling woman with short brown hair and glasses, wearing a blue jacket and black shirt, posing for a portrait against a dark, blurred background.

    Jennifer Saunders

    Fergus County Commissioner

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses, wearing a red and white patterned cardigan over a blue top, standing indoors with a blurred background of shelves.

    Cathy Ratzburg

    Ratzburg
    ​Livestock & Grain
    and
    Bobcat Angus

  • Smiling woman with short gray hair and glasses, wearing a blue and white patterned jacket, standing indoors with a blurred background of a lobby or office reception area.

    Marsha A. Goetting

    Professor and Extension Family Economics Specialist

  • A man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a light-colored striped button-up shirt, standing indoors against a wooden paneled wall, smiling.

    Sean Bengochea

    Certified Public Accountant
    ​Bengochea & Company PLLC

  • Professional woman with blonde hair smiling against a gray background.

    Chadaya Coffee

    Stockman Bank

  • A woman with long, blonde hair wearing glasses, smiling, dressed in a floral blouse and a dark blazer,, against a dark grey background.

    Teri Antilley, Ph.D

    Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development Director & State 4-H Program Leader

  • Headshot of a smiling man in a navy suit, light blue shirt, and blue tie, against a dark background.

    Cody Stone

    Director of MSU Extension

  • A young man with brown hair smiling in a dark suit with a pin on his lapel, wearing a striped tie, indoors with hanging light fixtures and letters in the background.

    Gage Horn

    State 4-H Teen Ambassador

  • A young woman with long blonde hair smiling outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Stella Truzzolino

    4-H Youth Representative

  • A young woman, smiling at the camera, with a black shirt on and layered jewlery..

    Raylie Fleishman

    Collegiate 4-H Club Representative

  • A middle-aged woman with short gray hair smiling outdoors, wearing a blue patterned button-up shirt, with trees in the background.

    Ginny Francis

    ​State Council President

Immediate Past Directors

  • A professional woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black blazer and a patterned top, smiling against a plain gray background.

    Rose Malisani

    Cascade County 4-H Extension Agent

  • Young man in a green jacket with a university emblem, standing outdoors in a grassy field with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.

    Morgan Sites

    State 4-H Teen Ambassador 

  • A middle-aged man with gray hair and a mustache, wearing a dark blazer and white shirt, standing in a room with wood paneling and colorful artwork in the background.

    Tim Gill

    Retired Agriculture Industry Leader

  • Young woman with curly hair wearing a light blue dress standing outdoors near green trees on a sunny day.

    Ariel Petersen

    4-H Teen Director

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiling, wearing a coral pink jacket and a blue patterned shirt, sitting indoors with a blurred background.

    Sarah Converse

    Executive Director at Sweet Grass Development

A woman standing at a podium, speaking at an event for Montana State University, with an American flag next to her and a backdrop decorated with Montana State University 4-H logos.

Legal + Giving Info

Montana 4-H Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Federal Tax ID: 23-7051460

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