4-H Newsletter November 2020
Be An Ambassador!
Have you ever thought of applying to be a Teton County 4-H Ambassador?4-H members need to be 14 by October 1 to apply. 4-H Ambassadors serve an important function in our county.The teens who become ambassadors work with the MSU Extension staff to promote 4-H in our county.The position is a combination of public relations and leadership service.We have had great ambassador teams in the past.Our current Ambassadors are Taylor Asselstine, Bellamy Beadle, Kwin Briscoe, Madeline Konen and Jersey Somerfeld. They will remain on the team but would welcome more to the Ambassador team.
The 4-H Ambassador team and individuals can set their own goals and develop a plan.We are reasonable, though, about our expectations, because we know you are all committed to a wide variety of activities and it gets to be a balancing act sometimes.We will work with you and your schedules.
Some of the main activities the Ambassadors have done lately include masters of ceremonies forcommunication day and textile show, fair duties and announcing, assisting with fair judging and so forth.It can be as much as you make it.
The deadline to apply for 2020-21 is November 30.We will accept applications any time between now and November 30.If you are interested, please contact the Extension Office and we will send you the application materials.
The Next 31
November 7 District 3 Make it With Wool contest-Great Falls
November 10 Livestock Committee meeting
6:30 p.m. at New Life Church in Fairfield
November 23 4-H Council meeting
6:00 p.m. Choteau/Teton Public Library & Live on WebEx
Novmeber 30 Ambassador applications DIUE at Extension Office
All scheduled activities subject to change due to COVID!
Excited to Add Karen Forseth to the Extension Team as Ag Agent
The MSU Extension team in Teton County is super excited to announce that Karen Forseth will be joining our team as the new ag agent.Karen's official first day is November 9.She has been excitedly preparing to start in this new role with MSU Extension.Some of you know and recognize Karen from her years of volunteering with the 4-H program and the Livestock Committee.
Karen brings with her several years in production agriculture as well as years of teaching and FFA advising experience. She has knowledge of the 4-H program as a parent and volunteer.As well, Karen was part of the Extension team several years ago in the role of administrative assistant.It will be great to have her back on the team.We are thrilled about her enthusiasm, energy and desire to serve the county.
Snow Match for Robotic Plow!
Xander Dahle, who is enrolled in 4-H robotics, was among those excited to see snow this weekend. Using 4-H robotics materials, Xander built and programmed this functional snow plow.And although it worked well, we think (given the more than a foot of snow fall) that it might have been a little small compared to the task.The plow may have been small, but the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills Xander is ‘learning by doing’ in the Teton County 4-H program will certainly clear a path for Xander’s future!
Livestock Committee Meeting
The Livestock Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m. at New Life Church in Fairfield.
You may attend in person and follow pandemic precautions or you may attend via video conference.A link to the meeting will be sent the day of the meeting to email addresses for those who were enrolled on the livestock committee last year and those who have joined the committee for the 2020-21 year.
Topics that will be discussed include:
Budget review, fair review, rule changes, looking back and looking forward, animal ownership guidelines and more.
4-H Council Meeting
The 4-H Council will meet Monday, November 23 at 6 p.m. at the Teton/Choteau Public Library.
You may attend in person and follow pandemic precautions or you may attend via video conference.A link to the meeting will be sent the day of the meeting to all 4-H members, volunteers and families. Everyone is welcome to be part of the 4-H Council.Each club is allowed two voting delegates.
Topics that will be discussed include:
Budget review, yearly review,looking back and looking forward, public relations and advertising, shooting sports, officer election and more.
Please let us know if you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for the positions of Vice President and Secretary.Elections will be held at the November 23 meeting.
4-H Seniors and Scholarships
Information on scholarship will be sent directly to 4-H seniors.In early December, you should watch for information on the Boe Brothers and Anne Wiprud Scholarships.
The Montana 4-H Scholarship application for statewide scholarships will be posted online in December. The deadline for these scholarships is April 1, 2021.
Say "Yes" to a Committee
Would you like to participate in 4-H Committees and/or find out more about them?
You can help shape 4-H in Teton County!
Find out more about how you can volunteer in 4-H.
The deadline to join committees is December 1.
Proposed 4-H Council Budget
Please contact the MSU Extension Teton County Office for a copy of the proposed budget.
Challenging Champs Minutes
The Challenging Champs 4-H Club had a meeting on October 3, 2020 at 2 p.m. 14 members and 7 adults/ club leaders were present. Cameron Keel led the American Pledge and Caleb Toeckes
led the 4-H Pledge. Secretary, Jordyn Stengrimson, read off the minutes from the last meeting and the only addition that needs to be made is for minutes to be typed up for the August WebEx meeting. Laura Toeckes stated our updated club balance after taking out $100 for Kyona’s Biggest Drive is $3892.42. Our club elected new officers for the 2020/2021 4-H year. Jersey Somerfeld was elected president, Jordyn Stengrimson was elected vice-president, Amara Bodkins was elected secretary, and Maggie Toeckes kept her position as treasurer. Jersey Somerfeld and Colin Woodhouse stayed as our meeting notifiers. Our club decided to appoint a committee to come up with a list of members and families for each month to do demonstrations, come up with activities for meetings, and bring snacks. Colin Woodhouse, Sammy and Zoey Martinez, Annie Diekhans, and Jessica Toeckes are all a part of this committee. For old business we restated the guidelines for club and project meetings following Covid procedures, and Laura Toeckes volunteered to purchase bulk snacks for our meetings with reimbursement from our club. Colin moved to have Laura purchase snacks, and Cameron seconded the motion. For new business we were reminded that it is National 4-H week and our club came up with promotional ideas such as wearing 4-H shirts and promoting 4-H on social media. We then appointed a committee, Maggie Toeckes, Jordyn Stengrimson, and Amara Bodkins, to come up with logos for 4-H merchandise working with a local business to purchase this with our club’s money. 4-H enrollment starts October 1 and Jack Toeckes moved to have our 4-H club pay dues for members and Cameron seconded the motion. Leaders volunteered to help lead projects. Deanna Burgmaier can help with quilting and sewing, Kelsy Diekhans can help with knitting, Stacy Woodhouse can help with cats and self determined, and other various projects, Zane Somerfeld can help with welding and leatherwork, Leona Somerfeld can help with cake decorating, and Kristen Martinez can help with cooking, baking, and crocheting. Jack Toeckes motioned to adjourn the meeting and Cameron Keel seconded the motion. Our club then cleaned the highway as community service.
Submitted by Amara Bodkins
Eager Eagles Club Minutes
The Eager Eagles started off their first meeting at 6:30 pm in the Fairfield City Park on September 23rd, 2020. The meeting started off by Ayden DeBruycker leading both pledges. Secretary Alexis Morris took roll call and read the March 9, 2020 meeting minutes. Nolan Forseth gave the treasurer's report, and we have a total of $555.19. Reminder to send thank you cards to livestock buyers in order to collect checks for market animals sold.Reminder to send thank you notes to 4-H donors and supporters.These came to each family in the mail.Remember to pay your club dues to Nolan ($7 per adult volunteer & $ per youth). We will also continue the snack budget of $5 per family.Eager Eagles really appreciate the Teton County Extension Office staff.A thank you card was passed around and signed by members of the club. The club decided that we would like to do a little something more, so Ayden DeBruycker made a motion to purchase coffee gift cards to Copper Creek Coffee in Choteau in the amount of $20 for each member of the Extension Office Staff (Sharla Hinman, Jane Wolery, and Jamie Smith) for a total of $60. Waverly Konen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
We congratulated all the carcass winners we had from our club. Way to go! We also congratulated Justin Forseth for winning a Montana State Award for projects focused on video and computer technology. He also earned a trip to the National 4H Congress. Madeline Konen also earned 2nd place in the category of career communications. Way to go guys! We plan on having our meetings the 2nd Monday of each month. Masks are required in the Fairfield Bible Youth Hall. There is a maximum of 50 people allowed. If Covid-19 becomes more of an issue in our county and we must stay home, we will go virtual for club meetings. Our club participated in our first service project by collecting 287 pounds of food for Kyona’s Biggest Drive which was donated to the Fairfield Food Bank. We will also continue with our Adopt a Highway service project.Mrs. DeBruycker will set a date to clean the highway on a Saturday in October instead of an October club meeting.Other service project ideas for the year were discussed.Madeline Konen made a motion to shovel sidewalks in the winter for elderly people and clean or rake leaves in the spring/summer/fall. Nolan Forseth seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously.There was also discussion about ideas for fundraising.Nolan Forseth made a motion to have a garage sale with a bake sale in the spring and a raffle for pies.Ayden DeBruycker seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously.
This year 4H project registration will take place through 4Hzsuiteorg.Please do not attempt to register until on or after October 1st.Jamie Smith will be sending an email to each family with instructions.We are also reminding members that there are 4H discounts available for show clothes, animal feed and other 4-H related items at North 40, Mountain View Co-Op, and West Feeds. We are looking for volunteers to serve on the 4H council as the vice president and the secretary. Please get a hold of the Extension Office if you are interested.Justin Forseth made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Alexis Morris seconded.The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
New officers were elected to the Eager Eagles 4H Club on September 23, 2020.
President = Kyona Yeager
Vice President = Madeline Konen (Re-elected to this position)
Secretary = Alexis Morris (Re-elected to this position)
Treasurer = Nolan Forseth (Re-elected to this position) & will remain a co-signer on the account.
Submitted by Kelly DeBruycker
Celebrations
Record Book Quality Winners
Congratulations to the follwing 4-H members on their quality awards for record books.
Seniors:
Justin Forseth
Nolan Forseth
Luke Ostberg
Juniors:
Ayden DeBruyckers
Leisal Rammell
Pre-junior:
Nolan DeBruycker
The winners received $20 for their efforts!
For the Good of the Order
Our 4-H Year
As has been the case all year, items listed in each month may change depending upon the COVID situation. this information is provided so families and members know what is upcoming.
October
- Enrollment begins
- National 4-H Week
- Treasurer's books due 10/31
- Ambassador/Teen Leader training
- Choteau Food Drive
November
- Make It With Wool District contest
- National 4-H Congress
- Enrollment continues (deadline 12/1)
December
- Re-enrollment DEADLINE 12/1
January
- Market beef paperwork DUE
- KMON Livestock Judging Contest
February
- Camp planning meetings for counselors
March
- Boe Brothers/Anne Wiprud scholarship applications DUE
- Rec Lab
April
- Market swine/goat/sheep paperwork DUE
- Project drop/add DEADLINE 4/15
- 4-H Foundation scholarships DUE
May
- State awards due 5/1
- Congress Intent to Enter DUE
- Fair registrations DUE
June
- Camp registrations DUE
- Leadership retreat for camp counselors
- Fair June 21-27
July
- 4-H Camp
- 4-H Congress
August
- Record Books DUE 8/15
- 4-H Congress
September
- Enrollment begins
Dues Increase
Our 4-H dues for members and leaders have remained the same for several years.In order to cover the fees associated with being able to pay dues via ZSuite with a credit/debit card, we have increased dues by $1 for each category.PLEASE NOTE: dues for members are now $6 and leader dues are $7.We have had some families pay the incorrect amount which makes our bookkeeping complicated. Thank you for remitting the correct dues amount!
Are You Enrolled in Teton County 4-H?
Below is a list of youth and adults enrolled in each club. If your name is not listed below, you are not enrolled. Please enroll as ssoon as possible. An order for project books will be placed soon! If you need assistance enrolling, please use the Chat feature in ZSuite or contact the office.
Challenging Champs
Deanna Burgmaier
Antonia Diekhans
Benjamin Diekhans
Calvin Diekhans
Kelsy Diekhans
Cameron Keel
Madison Keel
Kristen Martinez
Sammy Martinez
Zoe Martinez
Jersey Somerfeld
Leona Somerfeld
Cannon Stewart
McKenzie Stewart
Paisley Stewart
Doug Ulsh
Dylan Ulsh
Jennifer Ulsh
Hendrika Willekes
Tanner Willekes
Colin Woodhouse
Eager Eagles
Kamber Bender
Kaylie Bender
Keira Bender
Kinsey Bender
Ayden DeBruycker
Kelly DeBruycker
Nolan DeBruycker
Kingston Egbert
Clayton Forseth
Justin Forseth
Nolan Forseth
Annika Konen
Heidi Konen
Emilee Lear
Angus Lidstrom
Kameron Lidstrom
Addie Pearson
Heidi Pearson
Korbin Pearson
Ronnie Pearson
Taylee Pearson
Caleb Rammell
Hunter Rammell
Jeremiah Rammell
Leisal Rammell
Tristan Rammell
Pete Townsend
Tammy Townsend
Cyler Yeager
Kande Yeager
Kyona Yeager
Old Agency
Jason Asselstine
Jennifer Asselstine
Taylor Asselstine
Addi Christensen
Rachel Christensen
Ainsley DeBruycker
Lauren Long
Andrew Major
Carolyn Major
Mark Major
Seeley Neal
Prairie Stars
Lynda Allen
Myles Allen
Saber Allen
Debie Briscoe
Kwin Briscoe
Ashley Heagy
Kimber Heagy
Golden Holmquist
Marla Holmquist
Taela Knable
Trinity Knable
Brent Roeder
Tracie Roeder
Rocky Mountain Top Shots
Colter Dowdy
Cord Gough
Ephriam Gough
Tana Gough
Riley Gough
Jonathan Harris
Spring Creek
Jo Lynn Miller
Maili Miller
Nick Miller
Hunter Watkins
Summer Watkins
Teton County Horse Club
Elisabeth Brown
Cora Dowdy
Cale Fryberger
Carter Fryberger
Clancy Fryberger
Connor Fryberger
Ella Fryberger
Jimmy Fryberger
Scotty Sivumaki
Dusty Weaver
Kody Weaver
Sara Weaver
Calendar
November
7: Make It With Wool District 3 Contest
10: Livestock Committee Meets at 6:30 p.m. at the New Life Church in Fairfield and Live via WebEx
23: 4-H Council Meets at 6 p.m. at the Choteau/Teton Public Library and Live via WebEx
30: Ambassador applications DUE at Extension Office
Extension Events
YAM: Jane wolery will again be teaching YAM (Youth Aware of Mental Health) class this fall and winter in Chtoeau, Fairfield, Power and Dutton/Brady High Schools.
Strong People Randomized Control Trial
Teton County will soon be scheduling an informational meeting about the results of
the Strong People Randomized Control Trial that area residents participated in last
year. Contact jane for more details.
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
2024 June 24-30
2025 June 24-29
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