4-H Newsletter January 2020

Scholarships...Yes, Already!

The Anne Wiprud and Boe Brothers Scholarships have been sent directly to 4-H seniors and county high school counselors.  The scholarship applications are due March 31, 2020. If you did not receive an application, please contact the Extension Office at 466-2491.  The 4-H Foundation has 22 scholarships available for current and past 4-H members. The application is due April 1. One application needs to be completed for all scholarships. Find out more about 4-H Foundation scholarships.

KMON Judging

The annual KMON Judging Contest will be held during MAGIE January 17 and 18 in Great Falls. New this year is a Poultry Judging Contest on Friday afternoon! Other contests include meats, agronomy, livestock and ag sales. Contestants must be 14 years old by October 1, 2019. Cost is $6 per person, per contest, and lunch is $6. Contact the Extension Office to register.  Please make your checks to Teton County 4-H Council.

Livestock Meeting

The Livestock Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14 in Fairfield at the New Life Church.  All committee members are invited to attend, as well as any guests.  Committee members are Todd Banner, Carson Crary, Danelle Crary, Dusty Crary, Josh deVos, Salina deVos, Clayton Forseth, Karen Forseth, Madison Irons, Mark Major, Elexis McCann, Craig Moore, Jolene Moore, Brent Roeder, Doug Ulsh, Justyce Yeager and Rusch Yeager.

The Next 31

Camp Counselor Meeting            January 7 Fairfield 6-8 p.m.  Location:  TBD        Livestock Committee Meeting    January 14 Fairfield New Life Church 6 p.m.
4-H Council Meeting                     January  Location & Time TBD

Celebrations

Make It With Wool
January 7 @ 6-8 p.m. in Fairfield

Congratulations to Shea Ostberg for her first place finish in the Junior Division at the District 3 Make It With Wool contest held in Great Falls this past November.  Other 4-H members who competed in the Junior Division were Presley Holmquist and Maggie Toeckes.  Thanks to all for representing Teton County so well!

Project News

Marias Fair Invitational

The Marias Fair Archery Invitational will be held January 25 and 26 in Shelby. The registration deadline is January 17 and the entry fee is $10 per discipline per child.Find out more about registering.

Find out more about Shooting Sport events in Montana.

Archery in Teton County

Archery project meetings will be held January 13,20, 27 and February 3 and 10 at the Choteau LDS church under Archery leader Jason Asselstine.Beginners will shoot from 5:30- 6:30 pm and Advanced archers will shoot from 6:45-8:00 pm.For more information, please contact Jason at [email protected] or 750-1342

For the Good of the Order

Demonstrate Your Best!

Communication contests allow 4-H members to share what they have learned, to teach others, and to share ideas and concepts. 4-H communications in Montana have been divided into five contest categories: Demonstration and Illustrated Talks, Prepared and Impromptu Speeches, Career Communication, Published Videos, and Promotional Presentations and Commercials.

Clubs, counties, districts, regions and state entities may organize presentation events to allow 4-H youth to practice their skills. Youth ages 13-18 by October 1 of the current 4-H year who receive a blue ribbon at the county level may advance to state events.

Visit the Montana 4-H's Communications webpage to learn more about how to create each type of demonstration. When designing and presenting your demonstrations this year, use the following tips to make your best better!  

• Select a topic that you know well and find interesting.
• Develop one main idea or topic to share.
• Use an outline to help you organize the idea or topic into three to seven points or steps that can be explained and/or shown.
• Secure the material and the equipment needed and organize it to avoid clutter.
• Dress appropriately for the activity being demonstrated.
• Check your materials and equipment before you give the demonstration.
• Make words on posters large enough for all to read.
• Use a catchy introduction that will get the attention of the audience.
• Take your time and speak clearly, looking at your audience.
• Show how each step is done so everyone can see.
• Keep your materials orderly, and when you are finished with something, place it out of the way.
• Practice the demonstration with family or friends who will give suggestions for improvement.
• Smile and enjoy yourself, but avoid chewing gum, placing your hands in your pockets, or “fiddling” with equipment.
• Review your points or steps at the end, ask for questions, and thank the audience.
• Check with your County 4-H Extension Agent for county specific guidelines and dates.

4-H Council Budget

Please contact the office for a copy of the 2019-2020 budget.

Proposed 4-H Council By-Laws Changes

For a complete constitution and by-laws and proposed changes, please request from the office at 466-2492 or [email protected].

Officers
The president and treasurer will be elected in odd years alternating with the vice president and secretary who will be elected in even years.  Officers will hold office for two years and can succeed themselves for a maximum of two terms for a total of four consecutive years in the same office.

Committees
To have line (a.) state: Only those who have properly registered for a committee by December 1 will have the right to vote at committee meetings.

Horse Committee
The committee will oversee equine education events, rules, regulations and safety of 4-H horse related events and contests.

Articles
To have line item iv. read:  Serve in an advisory capacity to MSU Extension Agents in Teton County.

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.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Program Age: 14-19 Years-old Program Dates: June 13-20

During this week-long trip, delegates go to Washington D.C. to experience our nation's capital, meet your legislators, and meet 4-H members from around the country. The week is comprised of workshops related to the congressional process, meetings with your legislators, a cultural evening, and visits to monuments and museums on the mall. Two selected adults chaperone the trip. Susan Dufner Scholarship is awarded to one delegate to help with trip costs (application required).

Leadership Washington Focus (LWF)

Program Age: Grades 7th -9th  Program Dates: July 26-31

A sister program of CWF,  Leadership Washington Focus is designed for younger youth, the program takes place at the National 4-H conference center, conveniently located one mile from Washington, D.C. Participants build confidence in their abilities to motivate and direct others in meaningful action, practice effective communication with others through group discussion and public speaking, work with others to create and accomplish goals, develop an understanding of their own personal leadership style, exchange ideas, practice respect, and form friendships with other 4-Hers from across the nation. Two selected adults chaperone the trip.

National 4-H Conference

Program age: 15-18 years old Program Dates: March 28- April 6, 2020

Land Grant University 4‑H Departments send delegations of 4‑H youth to participate in the National 4‑H Conference. At the conference, delegates prepare and present briefings on important societal topics to federal officials in Washington, D.C. 4‑H youth also have the opportunity to engage in personal development experiences that increase their knowledge, resources, and skills while discussing topics affecting youth and 4‑H programming nationwide.Delegates not only learn while at the conference: they are empowered to create positive social change in their communities and have the opportunity to practice and apply their skills in a real-world setting.The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H youth development programs nationally and in their communities. Conference delegates are prepared, personally and professionally, to become more active participants within their communities and to effectively develop youth-adult partnerships for community action.

Please Note:  Application Deadline for CWF, LWF and National 4-H Conference is January 15, 2020.  Find out more about applying for these programs.

Extension Events

Read on the Money!

Mondays on January 13 -February 17

7:30-8:30 p.m.

Book Club via Web Video Conference

$15 includes book, class and access to book club discussions.

Formore information, contact Katrin Finch at 454-6980 or Jane Wolery at 466-2492.

Golden Triangle Cropping Seminar

January 9, 2020
Stage Stop Inn
Choteau, MT 59422
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
2 pesticide credits available

Next Generation Conference January 31-February 1

Registration is now open for the 2020 Montana’s Next Generation Conference. The conference, which will take place in Shelby on Friday and Saturday, Jan.31-Feb. 1, will focus on business planning for the farm or ranch and production workshops. 

The conference will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the Coyote Club and Events Center, 137 Main St. Dan Manternach, agriculture economist, will begin the event with a lecture, “The Big Picture in Ag,” to be followed that afternoon with “Financial Management Skills and Business Planning” and “Farming is a Blessing and Not a Punishment.”Friday will conclude with a trade show and social including a roast beef dinner and time for networking with neighbors, sponsors and industry professionals.

Saturday’s events at Shelby High School will feature industry speakers and professionals offering 36 workshop options covering crops and livestock production, financial management, record keeping, leasing, succession planning and more. Saturday's workshops will provide pertinent information for both the beginning and experienced producer. Livestock topics include beef cattle nutrition, fetal programming, livestock marketing, bull selection, animal health, USDA programs, plants to identify on the ranch, grazing management and more. Crop producers will have opportunities to learn about equipment maintenance and valuing equipment, grain marketing, crop fertility, crop insurance and more. There will also be numerous financial and accounting topics in addition to one workshop room devoted to succession planning topics.

The Feb. 1 workshops will fulfill the Farm Service Agency’s production and financial management training requirements for producers. Pesticide applicator points will be available throughout the day. Online registration is available at ticketriver.com or registration forms are available on the conference website at mtnextgen.com or by calling 406-873-2239. Updates will be available via the Montana’s Next Generation Conference Facebook page at facebook.com/Montanasnextgeneration/.

Early bird registration is $25/day for individuals or $40/day for couples if registrations are submitted by Jan.17. Late registrations will be accepted until Jan. 24 at $30/day for individuals or $50/day for couples. Daycare will be available for both days at $15/child, which includes snacks and meals.

For more information, visit mtnextgen.com or contact Lacy Roberts at 406-873-5618 or Kari Lewis at 406-873-2239.

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

January 2020

6: Market Beef Possession/Paperwork/Photo deadline

7: Camp Counselor meeting 6-8 p.m. Fairfield Location TBD3

9:  Cropping Seminar 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Stage Stop Inn in Choteau

13:  Eager Eagles Club meeting 6:30 p.m. at Fairfield Faith Bible Church

14:  Livestock Committee meeting 6:30 p.m. at Fairfield New Life Church

15:  CWF, LWF, National Conference applications due

17-18:  KMON Judging in Great Falls

25:  Ag Ambassador Competition in Lewistown

31:  Next Gen Conference in Shelby

February 2020

1:  Next Gen Conference in Shelby

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

April 2020

6:  Market Swine Possession/Paperwork/Photo deadline

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

26-28: Rec Lab in 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