Featured Montanan
RETA RAE WEISGRAM
53 years of adventures with Montana 4-H and Extension
"I have a degree in Extension; I just don’t have a piece of paper to hang on the wall."
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It started with a neighbor girl’s question, “Would Duane like to come to a 4-H club meeting? I’m giving a demonstration on how to peel a banana.” This one question launched a 53-years-and-counting career of leadership development with Montana State University.
Weisgram is a model for volunteers interested in becoming active in any organization. She notes that, “a lot of people are willing, even though they might not know about it. Whether or not a person will volunteer depends on if they are asked. You never know what will happen until you ask.”
Duane, who was 10 years old at the time, is the eldest of four children in Reta Rae and Don Weisgram’s family. The other children, David, Shana and Owana, also followed suit and joined the 4-H program, each completing 10 years. Shana transformed her experiences and became an Extension agent in Oregon. The Weisgram family over the years hosted 27 summer exchange students from five countries at their sheep ranch north of Conrad.
Over time, she willingly volunteered because of the support she received from the local Extension agent and MSU staff in Bozeman. She also recognized the value of mentors who provided guidance, support and leadership, which began with the two 4-H club leaders who trained her to take over the Meadowlarkers 4-H Club three years after Duane enrolled in 4-H.
Along the way, Reta Rae found herself becoming the 4-H club leader, on the County 4-H Council, followed by the District Leadership before she landed on the Montana 4-H Leader’s Council, director of the Labo International Student Exchange Program (Labo is a family-based Japanese youth organization), and as one of the first representatives on the Montana Extension Advisory Council. She has served in leadership roles as club leader, secretary, vicepresident and president.
a publication of Montana State University Extension
Anything she heard about she wanted to try because, “I wanted to help the youth be better kids.” She knew if they had someone to help them, they would be successful, and eventually give back to their own communities. In her involvement over the years, there have been many firsts. The first time Weisgram helped Duane fill out 4-H record books, her husband Don came home to find them in tears. Reta Rae said, “We have to hire a lawyer because we can’t fill this book out.” Don assured her they wouldn’t need a lawyer and lent a hand to help get the books done. Daughters Shana
