4-H Newsletter February 2020

Calling Camp Counselors...

The next camp planning meeting will be February 11 at 7 pm in Fairfield at the LDS Church.IF you are not already on the planning committee, and were 14years old by October 1, 2019, you can come help plan a GREAT camp!Please contact either Marla Holmquist or Jane Wolery.

Correction

The Livestock Committee members listed in last month's newsletter did not include Ashle, Alexis and Katy Morris. We are sorry for the oversight!

Communications Day is Set!

The Communication Committee has set the 2020 Communications Day for March 28 in Choteau.Remaining details will be forthcoming but start working on your communications entries.Find more information about Communications Day.

The Next 31

4-H Committee Mtg. February 6 5:30-9:30 p.m. Location TBA
Livestock Committee Mtg. February 11 Fairfield New Life Church 6 p.m.
Camp Counselor Mtg. February 11 Fairfield 7 p.m. Fairfield LDS Church
4-H Council Meeting February 18 6 p.m. Courthouse Conference Rm.

Training

Livestock Quality Assurance (LQA)

Our local livestock committee will be discussing and planning LQA opportunities in our county; however, we know schedules can be challenging, so we wanted to offer as many options as possible. The quality assurance programs are intended to be educational and provide 4-H animal owners with skills to provide ethical treatment of animals in their care.

Any market livestock animal member in Teton County who attends a class out of county must provide proof of their attendance to our office . Visit with instructors to verify as some will use forms they give you and some will use an attendance sheet, etc.

Cascade County – Great Falls, February 8 at 9 a.m.

Rose Malisani, MSU Extension Agent in Cascade County, will be providing an LQA training on Saturday, February 8 at the Cascade County Extension Office. Registration will be done through SignUpGenius. We will forward when the registration is available.

Lewis and Clark County – Helena, February 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Lewis and Clark County 4-H volunteers will be teaching animal quality assurance on Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bill Hamilton Building on the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. Anyone is welcome! This program will likely be “station style” learning and cover a variety of animals – sheep, goat, swine, beef, dairy, rabbit and poultry.

Judith Basin County – Stanford, February 9 at 2 p.m. Katie Hatlelid, MSU Extension Agent in Judith Basin County, will be holding a quality assurance workshop on Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m. at the courthouse in Stanford.PLEASE NOTE:This is a different date than waspreviouslysent out!

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

Justin Forseth

Nolan Forseth

Sadie Grove

Blake Gunderson

Kale Gunderson

Natalie Harrell

Blake Hodgskiss

Grant Hodgskiss

Madison Irons

Pistol James

Angus Lidstrom

Kameron Lidstrom

Charlie Long

Claire Long

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

Grace Toeckes

Jackson Toeckes

Maggie Toeckes

Mikayla Toeckes

Wyatt Ulsh

Janessa Willekes

Tanner Willekes

Project News

Livestock Committee Minutes

Livestock Committee January 14, 2020, 6:00 pm New Life Church, Fairfield

Members Present: Danelle Crary, Clayton and Karen Forseth, Josh and Salina DeVos, Ashle, Mike, Alexis, Jorja and Katy Morris, Todd Banner and Jane Wolery.

Meeting was called to order at 6:15pm at the New Life Church in Fairfield by Jane Wolery as Todd Banner, Chair, was running late.

Minutes: Minutes from previous meeting were moved to be approved with the stipulation that an error in the wording of the assessment motion be corrected at a different area of the agenda. Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

Beginning balance was $12,200.99. $246 was received from 4H Council for an animal resale from Farm Credit Services. Expenses paid totaled $206.38 for Pork Checkoff and Lamb Checkoff. Current balance is $12, 240.61. $20 Clerical error was noted and has been corrected.

Old Business:

An exercise was led by Jane to narrow down the issues with carcass evaluation. Uniformity and location were among the top concerns. A subcommittee of Mike Morris and Clayton Forseth was formed to explore ultrasound as an option for the future.Dates for fair were noted: June 22-28 with sale being June 27th. Danelle and Ashle will go over beef ownership paperwork to ensure no errors were made.Correction to the assessment verbiage on Market Animal Agreement was made. The sentence: “If the second, third or fourth entry wins grand or reserve, they will need to pay the balance on the assessment fee for that animal.” was removed.Danelle will contact Emily Bouma to serve as Brand Inspector for the fair.Current Market Animals enrolled: Beef-34, Goat-2, Lamb-9 and Swine-53. Space for housing so many animals during fair a concern. Sub-committee of Danelle and Josh formed to solve.LQA-Several outside county opportunities noted and will be sent to 4H members via newsletter. Subcommittee of Todd and Ashle will come with ideas and dates for in-county LQA. Perhaps future LQA opportunities could be done during Christmas break.Withdrawn request from Audrey Hutton was noted.Subcommittee of Mike and Clayton was formed to look at processing options and is to report back to the Livestock Committee no later than February 1.Karen moved to see if Jess Moody was available to serve as large animal judge again this year. Danelle seconded. Motion carried. Karen will contact. Jamie will handle finding a small animal judge.Discussion of bedding ended with Josh agreeing to research options to be brought back to next meeting.

New Business:

Ryan Perry will be asked to serve as sale auctioneer. Clayton will contact.Request from Yeager family to borrow scale, hog barn electricity and panels to host ‘Renegade Jackpot’. A beef only show to be held April

19, 2020 at the Weatherbeater Arena. Subcommittee of Danelle, Josh, Ashle and Mike will formulate a policy and contract for this event as well as for future events.

Next Meeting:February 11, 2020, at New Life Church in Fairfield at 6 pm.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Hi-Line Show Pigs

Teri and Mark Horinek of Hingham, Montana announce their annual show pig sale to be held March 22 in the Havre Bigger Better Barn.Preview is at 11 am, free lunch is at noon and the sale starts at 1 pm. All attending 4-H members will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 prizes. For more information, please contact Teri at 406-397-3332 or 406-390-4028.

Habets Market Hog Giveaway Program

Habets Show PIgs of Conrad are sponsoring a 4-H/FFA Market Hog Giveaway Program.The program is open to any 4-H/FFA member 8-18 years of age.Selection will be based on the youth's ability to provide and care for the animal and their willingness to participate in the 4-H/FFA market swine program.To be eligible for consideration, the following requirements must be met:application page, essay statement, application signatures, parent/guardian(s) signature page and County agent/FFA advisor signature.The application must be postmarked by March 4, 2020.The successful applicant will be notified and must make arrangements to pick up the market hog by March 18, 2020. If interested, please contact the Extension Office.

Club News

Challenging Champs by Jordyn Stengrimson

Eager Eagles by Alexis Morris

The Eager Eagles started their third meeting at 6:30 p.m. on January 13, 2020. The meeting started off by Nolan

DeBruycker starting both pledges. Secretary Alexis Morris took roll call and read the minutes from the October meeting. We congratulated Shea Ostberg for her 1st place finish in the Junior Division at the Make it With Wool Contest in November. Madeline Konen gave us some parliamentary procedure tips. Nolan Forseth read the treasurer's report and we now have $790.41. Nolan is still waiting for dues. The next reports started off by Ayden

DeBruycker and Waverly Konen talking about their winter cooking meeting. Alexis Morris gave a report about the livestock committee. Remember steer dues were already due. Next Extension will be looking for pig dues. The price went up for livestock fees, so remember to check the papers you get in the mail.

Madeline Konen talked about 4-H camp. They are looking for a few more counselors that are older than 14 years of age. We had an update on Adopt a Highway. Our club received approval on the highway section on Hwy 408 that was submitted. We will be cleaning the two miles between mile marker 1 and 3. Our club will be responsible to clean this section of Hwy 408 twice per year. Mrs. Stewart gave a report on the hat and glove challenge. She has sent an email to the other clubs regarding their participation. Our club will be collecting new hats and gloves from today until our next meeting on February 10th. Rec Lab will be April 24-26 in Hobson. Communications Day will be at the end of March 2020. Kyona Yeager talked about the Renegade Jackpot Show in Choteau April 19, 2020. If you would like more information, there is a facebook page. Continue to work on record books and completion of books! The next meeting is February 10th, 2020, Faith Bible Youth Hall 6:30 P.M.

Old Agency by Dillon Harrell

On December 28, 2019 we had our 4-H meeting at the Alley Cat bowling alley. The pledge was led by Claire Long and the 4-H pledge by Rebekah Major. Roll call was your favorite Christmas gift. Claire Long and Addi Christenson gave the caring tree report. We had pizza, bowled and held a white elephant gift exchange. Dillon Harrell moved to adjourn the meeting and Kale Gunderson seconded it. Meeting adjourned.

Spring Creek by Leah Paulson

The Spring Creek 4-H club met on December 15, 2019.Roll call was "What is your favorite Christmas tradition? "

Leah read the minutes of the last meeting and Kyle gave the treasurer’s report.

Old Business: Pins for the Pantry: we can rent the whole bowling alley for 2 hours for $150 + $0.50 per pair of shoes. We can bring anything to eat, however, all drinks have to be bought at the Alley Cat. We discussed and decided if it would be better to just pay the food pantry money. Moved and seconded to donate $350 to food pantry, and not do Pins for Pantry.

Meeting adjourned and then we had a Christmas party.

The Spring Creek 4-H club met on January 13, 2020.

Carson led the American pledge, and Kyle led the 4-H pledge. Roll call was "something that is cold other

than the weather."There was no correspondence.Leah read the secretary minutes.Kyle gave the treasurer’s report. The account balance is $2,250 after donating $350 to the food pantry.

There were no awards reported.For an activity we did a human knot.There were no visitors or new members.

Mrs. Snyder announced the KMON Livestock Judging is this weekend. You can register in advance, or you can

do so that morning. Carson is judging carcasses.

Audrey announced that jackpot shows will be held around the state. All species shows are the Golden Triangle on

6/6 and Helena on 6/12 and 6/13. Beef only shows will be held in Great Falls on 4/18 and in Choteau on 4/19. Helena will be hosting lamb camp on 6/12 and 6/13. Anyone who has an interest in lambs is encouraged to participate!

Old Business: We donated $350 to the food pantry and we are not doing Pins for Pantry project.

New business:We decided on our goals for the year and volunteered for committees to plan our goal activities. We are doing an activity for each area – head, hands, heart and health. The head committee of Maili, Kyle and Matthew are planning a trivia night. Our first hands committee of Audrey and Brigid are planning a 4H tour of animal projects and our second hands committee of Leah and Bo will plan a day to shovel snow for the community. The heart committee, Leah and Nick, is planning a date to make Valentines and deliver them to the Beehive. The health committee, Carson, Bo and Matthew, is planning a ski trip.

Leah moved to adjourn the meeting, Nick seconded that motion.

Congratulations!

KMON Meats Judging Team Places Second

The Teton County Meats Judging team took second place at the KMON Judging Contest, held in conjunction with MAGIE January 17-18.

Team members (back row, l to r) are Nicholas Konen, Justin Forseth, Alexis Morris and Nolan Forseth. Seated in front is team coach Brent Roeder.Way to represent!

Pearson Honored by Prok Association

Kaare Pearson was honored by the Montana PorkGrowers Association for a pig he bred and sold for 4-H last year.The pig's carcass was awarded first place in the heavy weight class.Congratulations!!

County News

Food (Drive) for Thought...

The final total for food donations for our food drive is 953 pounds.There were over 50 pounds of expired food items donated which could not be used.The monetary donations totaled $1019.25. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the 4-H members who assisted/donated and to the Boy Scouts who helping in collecting food and money during theWinter Fair at the Pavilion as well as during the Christmas Stroll!

Soroptimist Spring Fling for a Cause

The Choteau Soroptimists are hosting their 4th annual Spring Fling for a Cause on March 7 at 11 am at the Stage Stop Inn.All those interested in an update on human trafficking and trafficking awareness are encouraged to attend.Tickets are $12 and are available at Country Hallmarkand will also be available at the door the day of the event.A lunch will be served followed by a live and silent auction.Anyone wishing to is invited to sponsor a table, decorating it and selling seats.Donations of gift baskets for the auctions are welcome.All those who pre-register will be entered into a drawing for $50 in Choteau bucks. The proceeds from this event will be sued for traffic safe house funding, scholarships and other women's and local projects.

Club Dues and 1% Fee

The Club Dues and 1% FeeThe invoices have been sent to all 4-H Clubs and committees for their dues and 1% fees to be paid before April 15, 2020. These dues cover accounting and auditing costs at the state level. Any dues not paid by that date will double. Please contact Sharla in the Extension Office with any questions.

Scholarships

Anne Wiprud Memorial: Due March 31, 2020

Boe Brothers: Due March 31, 2020

The Anne Wiprud and the Boe Brothers’ Scholarships have been sent directly to 4-H seniors and the county high school counselors. If you have NOT received your applications, please contact the Extension Office.

4-H Foundation Scholarships: Due April 1, 2020

The 4-H Foundation has 22 scholarships available for current and past 4-H members.One application needs to be completed for all scholarships.Check out the scholarships here.

Free Outdoor Education Offering

Free Animal Tracking and Outdoor Awareness
February 8-9
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Open to students ages 10-14
Taughut by Bill McConnell of Past Skills Wilderness School

Pre-register by contacting Bonnie Griffis at 451-4665.

Saturday Session:

Meet at Scout Hall, 218 Main Ave in Choteau.This will be a basic overview followed by field tracking at the City Park.Please bring paper, pencil and a lunch.

Sunday Session:

Meet at Scout Hall and spend the day practicing tracking skills at Freezeout. Please bring water and a lunch.

Transportation to Freezeout can be arranged by contacting Bonnie.

State Events

Rec Lab

Save the Date! APRIL 24-26 in HOBSON! This event provides an opportunity for youth and adults to enhance their leadership, communication and team building skills in an action-packed and interactive setting. Rec Lab programming is designed to provide participants with tips and tricks for being a better club, camp and community leader. This is an ideal event for younger members to attend a state event for the first time and begin to form relationships with 4-H peers from across the state, broadening their own skills and widening their network. Rec Lab will be hosted by District 3 (which includes TETON COUNTY). Youth participants must be 13 as of October 1, 2019 and Adult chaperones must be as least 21 years of age.Registration information will be sent out in January.If you are interested in attending, please contact the Extension Office.

State Awards Process

The Montana 4-H State Awards program is in place to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of

4-H members who have reached a standard of excellence in a variety of project and activity areas. State Award winners have gone above and beyond regular project work with a focus on leadership,communication, and community service. Winners are eligible to attend National 4-H Congress. The out-of-pocket costs for Teton County 4-H members has been around $300 for a week in Atlanta, Georgia. For those who plan to apply for state awards in 2019-2020, this timeline will help you get started. Much of the process is self-directed. As an Extension Agent, I would like to assist you as much as possible, but due to the time constraints of my work, it is imperative that you are working on your own to complete the process. Below are the suggestions I have for you to help complete your state award.-Jane Wolery

December:

• Download state award application from Montana 4-H website

• Spend 3-6 hours completing written work – add information based on your own record books, Teton County 4-H newsletters which are posted on-line, club leader information

• Have your application reviewed by your family members and your club leader

• In a search engine look up “verbs for resumes” or “adjectives for resumes” to find powerful words to use as you describe your 4-H work

January:

• By mid-January, please submit your first draft of your written work to the Extension Office for editing and suggestions.

• Start working on your creative work – which can vary from a newspaper publication, quilt, scrapbook, video, slide show.

• Set aside up to 10 hours this month to work on your creative project. Some creative projects take more time than others.

February:

• Schedule an appointment with Extension Office. Discuss corrections needed for written application and brainstorm/plan for creative work.

• Receive your written work back from the office, make corrections as needed.

• Set aside at least 5 hours this month to work on your award package.

March:

• Submit a copy of your creative work and corrected written work to the Extension Office.

• Schedule 2-3 hours to work with the office, if you need assistance with technology, writing, etc.

• Complete creative project, as much as possible.

April:

• Schedule 2 hours with the Extension Office to review your work.

• Make recommended changes in your project.

• Have application completed, packaged professionally, signed and delivered to MSU by May 1 (or deadline specified in application).

• Be prepared to spend a few more hours this month, depending on the skills and technology needed to complete your creative project. The Extension Office is willing to spend roughly 10 hours with each applicant in preparing their state award. The balance of time spent on the award is up to the individual. We can provide some equipment and software training for 4-H members who plan to apply for a state award. For those planning to apply for a state award in the next 2-3 years: Please schedule an individual time to meet with the Extension Agents to develop a plan for meeting your goals and to brainstorm ideas for how you can be involved in 4-H at a level that will make you eligible to win a state award.

International Programs

Academic Year Program (AYP)

AYP delegates come from Costa Rica, Japan, Korea or a Eurasian country for one school year. The Japanese students have traveled previously to the United States as part of the summer program. English skills are well-developed. Delegates must attend public school. Host families do not need to have children in their homes to host but need to welcome the delegate as a member of their families for a year. Students have their own health insurance. Family attendance is required at a mid-term event. Japanese students are 12-16 and will arrive from July 22-August 18 and Costa Rica students are 15-18 and will arrive from June 23-July 18.The deadline to apply to host a Costa Rican student is March 1, and the deadline for Japan is rolling. Visit the Year Long Hosting Opportunity webpage to learn more.

4-H International Program for Young Adults (IPYA)

Delegates arrive in Montana in early July and participate in 4-H Congress. Families generally host these older youth for 2-3 weeks. They are interested in an in-depth look at U.S. culture and to gain a better understand farming and ranching practices. Families do not need to live on a farm or ranch to host. Delegates come from European and Asian countries.

For more information on Youth International Programs, contact Stephanie Davison.

Calendar

February

1: Next Gen Conference in Shelby

1: MT 4-H Foundation People Parner Grant applications due

6: 4-H Committee meetings 5:30-9:30 p.m. Location TBA

8: LQA Cascade County9 amGreat Falls

9: LQA Lewis and Clark County2 pmHelena

9: LQA Judith Basin County2 pmStanford

11: Livestock CommitteeNew Life ChurchFairfield6 pm

18:4-H Council6 pmCourthouse Conference RoomChoteau

March

1: Applications to host a Costa Rican 4-H member due

28: Communications Day Choteau

April

6: Market Swine Possession/Paperwork/Photo Deadline

20: Market Lamb/Goat Possession/Paperwork/Photo Deadline

24-24: Rec Lab Hobson, MT

May

1: State Award Applications deadline

29: Fair Registrations due

June

25-30: Teton County 4-H Fair

July

6-8: Pre-Congress

8-12: Montana 4-H Congress

13-18 4-H Camp

Fair Dates

The Teton County Fair is scheduled for the last full weekend in June that includes a Sunday.
2019 June 25-30
2020 June 22-28
2021 June 20-25
2022 June 24-30

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