The Western Montana Stockman's Association selected three local 4-Hers to receive heifers as part of its herd-building scholarship program.

Recipients are Cecilia Wirth of Country Cousins 4-H Club, which meets at Birch Grove Community Center; Cabella McIntyre of Rocky Mountain Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, which meets at the fairgrounds; and Elaina Dorr of Half Moon Highlander 4-H Club, which serves the Deer Park School community.

Through the association’s Scholarship Heifer Program application process, youths outlined their goals and objectives for raising a heifer and described the facilities and grazing area to be used in addition to their interests in agriculture.

Since the program does not require previous experience raising livestock, scholarship recipients will have mentors to help guide them as they raise their heifers through yearly production cycles. Recipients maintain records related to raising the heifers and association members will visit to ensure the animals are receiving proper care. Youths will also exhibit their heifers at a county fair.

The association will remain a co-owner of the heifers for the first year. After a year, ownership is signed over to the recipients.

The Scholarship Heifer Program is open to 4-H and FFA members ages 10 to 16 in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula and Sanders counties.

For more information about the Scholarship Heifer Program, contact a local county extension agent, 4-H or FFA adviser or visit www.facebook.com/WMSA2016/.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 406-758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.