In These Uncertain Times

Please be patient while we are dealing with the many changes brought about by the COVID-19 virus.We will post updates on email as well as our Facebook page.Please check these resources OFTEN as things are changing rapidly.As of now, Communication Day has been cancelled for March 28.It is not known whether that event will be rescheduled.Rec Lab scheduled for April 24-26 in Hobson has been cancelled for 2020.Currently, we are going forward with planning for fair, livestock quality assurance, camp and Congress but that could change at any time.The Extension Office (and the entire courthouse) closed March 23 but we are available please see page 2.

The Next 31

Cancelled or Postponed:
Communications Day 

Livestock Committee Mtg.   March 31 Via WebEx   6 p.m.

Mail In Only

Market Swine Possession, Paperwork & Photo Deadline  April 6
Market Sheep & Goat Possession, Paperwork & Photo Deadline   April 20

 

MSU Extensionin Teton CountyStill Serving You

We are currently working from home.  See contact information below.

Jane Wolery

[email protected]

406-590-2492

 

Jamie Smith

[email protected]

406-466-5868

 

Sharla Hinman

[email protected]

406-756-9379 

Can You Help?

The Teton County Health Department is looking for the following supplies:

Thermometers-new or used

SafetyGoggles

Sewn Masks
Find out more about the homemade masks and patterns

(Jane has a few tips to make faster/easier, contact her for more information.)

You can deliver them directly to the Teton County Health Department at 905 4th Street NW in Choteau.The door is locked, so you will need to knock.Call the Health Department at 406-466-2562 with questions. 

Livestock  Quality Assurance

At this time,the county LQA training scheduled for April 6 from 5-7 pm and April 13 at10 amwill be done via Webex. Days and times are subject to changePlease check text, email and our Facebook page frequently for updates. Members needing to attend, in order to be eligible for county/state carcass awards, are listed below as well as first year market animal members. All members are welcome to join. 

Members Needing LQA

If your name is listed below, you need to take an LQA class in order to be eligible for county/state carcass awards.If you have attended an LQA training since October 1, 2020, please send us your proof of attendance.

Kamber Bender

Kaylie Bender 

Keira Bender 

Kwin Briscoe 

Addison Christensen 

Carson Crary 

Ayden DeBruycker 

Tyler Ellsworth 

Sadie Grove 

 

Blake Hodgskiss 

Madison Irons 

Pistol James 

Charlie Long 

Claire Long 

Bo Lytle

Andrew Major

 Jacob Major 

Kathryn Major 

Rebekah Major 

Tessa McFarlin 

Luke Ostberg 

Addie Pearson 

Korbin Pearson 

Ronnie Pearson 

Taylee Pearson 

Jed Poole

Joshua Rammell 

Leisal Rammell 

Tristan Rammell 

Payten Rapp 

Trever Severinsen 

Casey Simons 

Sydney Simons

Paisley Stewart

Grace Toeckes 

Jackson Toeckes 

Maggie Toeckes 

Mikayla Toeckes 

Wyatt Ulsh 

Janessa Willekes 

Tanner Willekes

 

Livestock Committee Minutes

The Livestock Committee met March 2, 2020 atthe MSU Extension Teton County office or via conference call.Members present were Danelle Crary, Karen Forseth, Josh deVos via Webex, Alexis Morris, Ashle Morris via phone, Craig and Jolene Moore, Todd Banner via Webex and Jane Wolery.Guests were Mike Morris and Audrey Hutton.The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm in Jane Wolery's office by Chairman Todd Banner.

Old Business:

Report on Processors:

Discussion of processors based on information provided by them and neighboring county extension agents.The biggest concerns expressed were customer satisfaction and animal welfare.A survey will be sent to buyers to provide feedback on customer satisfaction regardless of voting results (which processors to use).

Options put to vote:

1) Keep the same as last year.Vandevanter's would take swine, sheep, goats and remaining steers. Christiaens would take 18 steers. Buyers would have first come-first serve choice for beef processors.

2) Send swine, lambs and goats to Bear Paw Meats in Chinook.All beef will beef would go to Vandevanter's.

3) All species would go to Bear Paw Meats.

The voting results were Option 1: 1 vote, Option 2: 3 votes and Option 3: 1 vote.

Danelle moved to approve Vandevanter's as the beef processor and Bear Paw Meats as the processor for swine, lambs and goats.Motion carried.

Jane will contact Bear Paw Meats and Vandevanter's.

Large Animal Judge:

Karen presented information on Large Animal Judges.Three potential judges have been contacted and were all unavailable for our fair dates.The next option is an out-of-state judge.Discussion included concerns about cost and due diligence in providing more options from which to choose. Advantages of qualifications and availability at this late date were included in the discussion. Danelle moved and Jolene seconded to accept the out-of-state judge.Motion carried.Karen will contact.

Equipment Rental Agreement:

The proposed agreement was reviewed by MSU Legal and the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development.There was a minor correction to add "4-H" to the verbiage.Jane will look into stickers to apply to equipment to designate ownership.

The next meeting will be March 31, 2020 at 6 pm.

Location/delivery mode of next meeting to be determined. 

Club News

Spring Creek by Leah Paulson

The Spring Creek club met February 9, 2020.Maili led the American pledge and Kyle led the 4-H pledge.Roll call was where and why you would go some place.Kyle gave the treasurer's report and our bank balance is currently $1999.98.Leah read the minutes from the previous meeting.There were no awards on which to report.Maili moved and Brigid seconded that the club pay for 4-H member dues but leaders pay their own.The motion failed to pass.Maili moved and Kyle seconded that the club pay all dues.Motion carried.Dues need to be paid by April 15 . Maili moved and Brigid seconded that our April meeting be held on April 5, as our regularly scheduled meeting falls on Easter.Communication Day is March 28.Over 900 lbs of food were donated along with $1200 to the food pantry during the food drive.Rec Lab is on April 24-26 in Hobson.Possession dates for pigs is April 6 and lambs'/goats possession date is April 20.Maili moved and Kyle seconded that the skiing committee would decide the date for our skiing outing via an online vote.Our assignments for this year's fair is the concession stand.Our next meeting will be March 9, 2020.President Matthew Haas adjourned the meeting at 6:27 pm.The activity was "Guess Who?"Matthew did a demonstration on folding laundry.

The Spring Creek club met March 9, 2020.Vice President Carson Crary called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. There were 11 members and 8 adults in attendance.Lila led the American pledge and Kyle led the 4-H pledge. Kyle gave the treasurer's report and our bank balance is currently $2019.98.There will be $147.80 our for dues/1 % fee.Communication Day is March 28 beginning at 1 pm at the Choteau Baptist Church.For the Fireworks Fundraiser on April 11, every family is asked to bring a healthy dessert that will serve 24.The ski trip will be March 14 with seven members attending. Carson Crary's team took first place in a mechanics competition and Leah Paulson was recognized as Shout Out of the Month at school.Kyle demonstrated changing a bike tire and Bo Lytle demonstrated making pancakes.Our next meeting will be March 9, 2020.Vice-President Carson Crary adjourned the meeting at 6:57 pm.The activity was "Red Light, Green Light"led by Nick Miller.

Shooting Sports 

Teton County 4-H was well-represented at the Shooting Sports State Shoot held March 6-8 in Bozeman.  Participants were Bryce Bedord, Dakota Gibson, Kolt, Riley and Tana Gough, Jonathan Harris, Marty Larson and Emilee Lear. 

3P Match:

11-12 years: #8-Riley Gough, #17-Marty Larson;

13-14 years:#10 Bryce Bedord,#12 Dakota Gibson, #24 Tana Gough,

#32 Jonathan Harris.

Prone:

9-10 years: #26 Kolt Gough,

11-12 years:#9 Riley Gough,

13-14 years: #6 Tana Gough, #25 Emilee Lear and #31 Jonathan Harris.

Pistol-Individual

Basic Supported:

11-12 years: #2 Marty Larson and #5 Riley Gough.

Pistol-Individual SJ International Stand:

13-14 years: #1 Dakota Gibson, #2 Bryce Bedord and #3 Emilee Lear.

Smallbore Pistol: 

13-14 years:#1 Bryce Bedord.

Standing:

11-12 years: #8 Riley Gough,

13-14 years:#9 Dakota Gibson, #26 Bryce Bedord and #38 Tana Gough.

Dakota Gibson and Bryce  Bedord made the Montana state team in air pistol.Bryce also earned ainvitation to the Smallbore Pistol team. Congratulations to all participants for doin a great job of representing Teton County 4-H Shooting Sports!

Western Heritage Cowboy Shooting will begin soon.Please watch for information via email.

4-H Adult Awards

4-H is made possible through the outstanding support of adults who provide their time, resources and support to improve the lives of Montana 4-H youth and strive to constantly make the best better. Through the following award categories, Montana 4-H recognizes outstanding contributions of volunteer leaders, staff and alumni at the county and state levels.  The three adult awards are Tribute to Volunteer Excellence, Hall of Fame and Outstanding 4-H Alumni.Find out more about these awards.All awards are presented at the Montana 4-H Leadership Forum in the fall or another statewide event.Nomination Guidelines: Each county may nominate one individual for each category to be considered for awards.  Nominees may qualify for more than one category.  Priority consideration will be given to volunteers who have not received a statewide award within the last five years. Nominations are due May 1.If you would like to nominate a volunteer, please contact the Extenison Office.

For the Good of the Order

Project Drop/Add

Please remember that the drop/add deadline for projects is April 15.   Contact the Extension Office to make any FINAL changes to your project choices.  If you miss this deadline and you do not complete any projects for which you signed up, you must complete an Incomplete Project Form for your record book.  Contact the office for the form. 

Club Dues & 1% Fees

Club Dues and 1% Fees are due April 15!Club dues will double if not in by 4/15/2020.As the courthouse is closed, please mail to PO Box 130, Choteau, MT59422.

Best Behavior

We are continuing to plan the 2020 Teton County 4-H Fair.  There have been concerns expressed

over behavior witnessed in the hog barn as well as during the Fair in general.  As a reminder, EVERY member signs the 4-H Code of Conduct annually.  By doing so, you as a 4-H member, pledge:

While attending 4-H activities and events, I will:

  • Obey all rules established by the 4-H program, the local 4-H program and all local state and federal laws.
  • Conduct myself at all times in order to be a credit to the club, school and community.
  • Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion and in accordance with the activity dress code.
  • Show respect for the rights and property of others; be courteous at all times.
  • Be honest and not take unfair advantage of others.
  • Refrain from disruptive behavior and swearing.
  • Demonstrate sportsmanship, modesty in winning and generosity in defeat.
  • Attend meetings and sessions promptly and respect the opinions of others in discussion.
  • Be respectful of the authority of adult volunteers, youth leaders, 4-H staff and others in leadership roles.
  • Not use, accept or carry alcohol, drugs or tobacco, or associate with others using the substance.

All these behavioral statements which you agree to follow are important; however, please pay particular attention to those requiring you to RESPECT the rights and property of others, REFRAIN from beingdisruptive and swearing and DEMONSTRATE sportsmanship, modesty in winning and generosity in defeat.

Volunteers (club leaders and other certified volunteers) also sign ethics standards annually. 

They agree to:

  • Work cooperatively with youth, families, volunteers, Montana State Extension Service faculty and staff and other in a courteous, respectful manner demonstrating behaviors appropriate for a positive role model for youth.
  • Make all reasonable effort to ensure equal access to participation for all youth and adults, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital and family status.
  • Provide a safe environment; do not harms youth or adults in any way, whether through sexual harassment, physical force, verbal or mental abuse, neglect or other harmful experiences.
  • Do not use alcohol or illegal substances while working with or responsible for youth, nor allow youth under supervision to do so.
  • Obey the laws of the locality, state and nation.
  • Strive to be a positive role model.  By example, help individuals learn to respect and cooperate well with others.  Teach others to compete with honesty and fair play.
  • Notify Extension staff promptly of any incident that may violate MSU Extension policies.
  • Inform County 4-H staff of any personal arrests or charges of criminal activity.
  • Accept supervision and support from County 4-H staff while involved in the Montana 4-H program.

Again, all these ethical standards are important.  In regards to conduct during the Fair, please

pay particular attention to working in a “courteous, respectful manner”, providing a “safe environment” for others and striving to be “a positive role model” for the youth.

 

Calendar

April

1:  4-H Foundation Scholarship application due

6:  Market Swine Possession/Paperwork/Photo deadline

6:  LQA  5-7 p.m.  Tentative Date &Time-May Change

13:  LQA  10a.m.-12 p.m.  Tentative Date & Time-May Change

15:  Club/Committee dues/1% fees due

20:  Market Lamb & Goat Possession/Paperwork/Photo deadline

24-26: Rec Lab in Hobson, MT-Cancelled

May

1:  State Award Applications deadline

1:  Montana 4-H Adult Award nominations due

29:  Fair Registrations due

June

5:  Renegade Jackpot-Choteau-Weatherbeater-Note Date Change

25-30:  Teton County 4-H Fair

July

6-8:  Pre-Congress

8-12:  Montana 4-H Congress

13-18  4-H Camp

August

15:  Record Books due

Fair Dates

The Teton County Fair is scheduled for the last full weekend in June that includes a Sunday.

2020    June 22-28
2021    June 20-25
2022    June 24-30
2023    June 19-25

MSU Extension Teton County
P.O. Box 130
Choteau, MT 59422
Agents: Jane Wolery:  [email protected]
Assistants: Sharla Hinman & Jamie Smith  [email protected]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cody Stone, Director, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717