To Fair or Not to Fair

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much uncertainty in the world, and unfortunately that extends to many of our 4-H events.   The Teton County 4-H Council and all committees (Livestock, Fair, Horse, Textile, etc.) will meet on Monday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. via WebEx . An email invitation with the link to this meeting will be sent to the email addresses we have on file for all our 4-H families.  The email will be sent closer to May 18.  

Melissa Moyer, Teton County Public Health Director, has been invited and plans to be in attendance. Fair plans will be discussed at this May 18 meeting.  We will follow guidance from the Teton County Board of Health, MSU Extension, Montana 4-H and other governing bodies. Our office is currently researching several options.  We will do our best to communicate any changes to you as soon as we are able.  Please be sure that your email service is enabled to receive messages sent frpm 4HOnline,[email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].

It is important that you check for email from our office frequently for current information.   We have a Facebook page that announces many upcoming events and is another place we provide updated information during the fluidity of the situation with the pandemic and our 4-H events. Thank you for understanding.  May you and your family be well.

The Next 31

All Committee Mtg.   May 18 Via WebEx   7 p.m.

Fair Registrations Due  May 29 

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 

Salute to Our Seniors

“Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Lila Bradley

Samara DeBruycker

Quincy Holmquist

Conner Klick

Brigid Miller

Nicholas Konen

Josh Rammell

Casey Simons

Wyatt Ulsh

Janessa Willekes 

Livestock Committee Minutes

The Livestock Committee met March 31, 2020 at6:00 pm via WebEx due to COVID-19.

Members Present:Danelle and Dusty Crary, Clayton and Karen Forseth, Josh deVos, Ashle and Alexis Morris, Todd Banner and Jane Wolery.  Guests included:  Mike Morris, Calon Yeager, Shanun Rammell, and Kate Banner.  Meeting was called to order at 6:20pm via WebEx online meeting format by Todd Banner.

COVID-19 Report:  Jane reported on the COVID-19 situation as it relates to MSU-Extension and 4-H administration. No face to face 4-H meetings until May 10, 2020.  Discussion of whether 4-H Congress will be held is scheduled for May 1st.  CDC recommendations will be reviewed as well as directives from Governor Bullock.  Due to the pandemic Montana University System has issued a moratorium on all hires until further notice.  This means the Ag-Agent position hiring process for Teton County has been paused.

Minutes: Minutes from previous meeting were moved to be approved.  Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report:  Beginning balance = $14,928.90.  Expense of ear tags in amount of $14.98 spent.  Current balance = $14, 913.92.

New Business:  (Agenda rearranged to address issue of COVID-19 affecting fair)

1.  The decision to proceed with the fair was discussed at length.  Discussion included fairness to the members, normalcy, risk, virtual options and if it is too soon to decide.  Karen made the motion to set May 18, 2020 as the “No-Go” date.  Alexis seconded.  Motion carried.  This date would be when the Livestock Committee along with the 4-H Fair and Committee would meet and decide whether or not to proceed with the fair and its preparations.  More information from MSU, CDC and the Governor’s office will be considered at that time. 

2.  Possession dates for Swine and Sheep were discussed.  Ashle moved to leave dates the same but to waive the late fees and allow the 10 day grace period.  Josh seconded.  Motion carried.  The Extension office would handle individuals with possession issues on a case by case basis.

Old Business:

1.  Processors have been contacted and space reserved for fair.  Processors are aware of the tenuous situation and will be apprised of changes as they come.

2.  Carcass judges have been selected.

3.  Large animal judge confirmed and contracts being sent.  Judge is aware of fluidity of situation.  Backup judges were discussed.  No action taken.  Tabled until May 18th.

4.  LQA Sub-committee will meet to finish preparations for Webinars scheduled for April 6th at 5pm and April 13 at 10am.

5.  Danelle moved that the Livestock Committee take over 100% of the costs associated with the livestock portion of the advertising for the fair.  Ashle seconded.  Motion carries. (Previously, the livestock committee paid ½ of the livestock sale advertising for fair and 4-H Council paid the other ½.  Council pays all general fair advertising.)

6.  Buyer’s survey briefly discussed.  Tabled until May 18.

7.  Budget tabled until future date.

8.  Renegade Jackpot postponed until June 5th.

9.  Shipping and hauling has been arranged through Bo Somerfeld.  Rough estimates are $600 to Vandevanter’s and $680 to Bearpaw Meats.

10.  Karen will work with Jane to check status of check signers at the bank.

11.  Other fair preparation related items were tabled until after the May 18th meeting.

Next Meeting: May 18, 2020 via WebEx at 7 pm.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

 


For the Good of the Order

New Ambassadors

Congratulations to Taylor Asselstine, Madeline Konen and Jersey Somerfeld on becoming Teton County 4-H Ambassadors!They will join current Ambassadors Bellamy Beadle and Kwin Briscoe.

A Toast to Not Toasting

We know that sometimes in our rural communities, our 4-H clubs, volunteers and members find themselves in places where alcohol is served – community fundraisers, restaurants, weddings, bowling alley, etc. On other occasions, adults may enjoy an alcoholic beverage in these locations, but when at a 4-H event, it is inappropriate to purchase, consume or have consumed alcohol. When parents/volunteers are at an event and will be working with 4-H youth, the adult must refrain from alcohol consumption.

Record This!

Record books will still be due August 15.You can work on your record book in ZSuites online.For more information, please contact the Extension Office.

Criteria for a Complete 4-H Record

All 4-H members in Teton County must submit their 4-H record book to their club leaders to be reviewed for completion. Record books are due to your club leader by August 15.

Record book forms

Each 4-H member will need:

* One “My 4-H Year” journal

* One “Project and Financial Journal” for every non-animal project taken

* One “Animal Record” journal for each animal project taken.

Please contact the Extension Office if you are unable to print the forms, or if you have questions.

*Enroll in and complete at least one project.

*Identify at least three goals for the 4-H year. Clearly record achievements.

*Identify at least three goals for each project completed. Clearly record achievements.

*Submit your book which includes, as a minimum, the My 4-H Year journal, followed by the 4-H Non-Animal Journal, and if an animal is owned, the 4-H Animal Journal.

You are encouraged to include other things to personalize your book like photos and articles, while still maintaining a professional record.

*Complete all sections of the “My 4-H Year” journal.

*Participate in at least three additional learning activities during the 4-H year and record them in your journals. Examples include the fair, speeches, demonstrations, judging, public presentation, tours, workshops and camps.

*List any awards and honors, both 4-H and others, received.

*Complete one 4-H Non-animal Journal for each non-animal project in which you are enrolled.

*If an animal is owned, keep records for it on the 4-H Animal Journal according to the type of project carried. Examples include breeding, market, and companion animals, including pets.

4-H members must COMPLETE their record books according to the completion criteria or they will not be allowed to exhibit or sell any item at the following Teton County 4-H Fair. Record books are used to determine years completed in 4-H. The number of years a 4-H member has completed may affect scholarship selection results. Record books will be reviewed for completion by club leaders. A book will be reviewed for completion by a non-related certified volunteer. If there is not a non-relative within the club, then the books will be submitted to another club leader or the Extension Office for completion review.

Calendar

May

1:  State Award Applications deadline

1:  Montana 4-H Adult Award nominations due

18:  All Committee Meeting at 7 p.m. via WebEx

29:  Fair Registrations due

June

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

25-30:  Teton County 4-H Fair (tentative)

July

6-8:  Pre-Congress (tentative)

8-12:  Montana 4-H Congress (tentative)

13-18  4-H Camp (tentative)

August

15:  Record Books due

Fair Dates

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

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