Treasurer's Book DUE

Club/Committee Treasurers should be completing the work required for auditing.Books are due in the Extension Office no later than OCTOBER 31.Please wait to turn them in until you have received your September bank statement.

This is what will be evaluated during the audit:

  • Monthly bank statements have been reconciled
  • Any voided checks are on file
  • Receipts have been written for ALL monies received
  • Total of all deposits must equal the total of all funds received
  • A written bill or receipt is on file for all expenditures.All expenditures should be paid by check, not cash
  • Year-end financial summary report information is complete
  • The total balance at the beginning of the year (October) plus funds received minutes all expenditures must equal the September bank statement balance
  • Minutes of club meetings contain financial reports and approved motions for all expenditures
  • Financial documents submitted on time as requested by Extension Office

Items that must be submitted with the treasurer's book are:

  • Checkbooks
  • Receipts
  • Financial records
  • Bank statements

Clubs that do not submit these records to the Extension Office risk losing their charter and association with Montana 4-H and/or Teton County 4-H.

Please contact the Extension Office (466-2491 or [email protected]) with any questions or concerns.

The Next 31

October 1  4-H Enrollment begins in Zsuite. 
                    Please check your email for trainings.

TBA             4-H Council Meeting and Elections

TBA              4-H Livestock Committee meeting.  Streaming live on WebEx

NEW Enrollment  Program

We are excited to announce that we will be using a new 4-H enrollment software.The software, ZSuites, is the same one that some have been using to complete their record books.

ZSuites will be available for registration onOctober 1.

Please continue to check your email for updates and information on how to register.

National 4-H Week  October 4-10

The theme this year is "Opportunity 4 All" . Think of what that means to you and your club.Here are some suggestions for how you can celebrate National 4-H Week:

  • Wear green or the 4‑H clover.
  • Have a 4‑H mask? Be sure to wear it!
  • Invite a friend who isn't in 4-H to your next club meeting so they can see what 4-H is all about.
  • Ask a local business if you/your club can paint or decorate their windows in support of 4-H

Montana 4-H Leadership Academy

The annual TeenLeader/Ambassador FALL training has been postponed, due to COVID, until October 2021.There is a new opportunity for 4-H members 12+ (4-H Age) and County Ambassadors 14+ (4-H Age) to build a network of 4-H teen leaders across Montana and connect them directly with State Ambassador Officer Team and statewide resources in order to develop capacity for individual leadership skills and practice these leadership skills at the local level.

The leadership academy will take the energy and engagement found at Teen Leader & Ambassador Fall Training events and stretch it out over 10 months! This also allows the opportunity for more scheduled interaction with the ambassador officer team, meaningful responsibility for county ambassadors and accountability for leadership at the local level where it is needed.

The kickoff event will take place VIRTUALLY Saturday, October 17 from 3-5 pm.Over the next 10 months, topics for the academy include:

  • knowing yourself and setting goals
  • planning and promotion
  • citizenship
  • facilitation
  • and others designed to help you grow in your leadership skills.

 

For more information, please contact Brett Schomer ([email protected]) or the MSU Teton County Extension Office.

Register here.

Food Drive

Normally a committee of 4-H teens plans all aspects of the door-to-door food drive in Choteau.Last year, the weather caused the first cancellation of the event in more than two decades.4-H members had the opportunity to develop new solutions.This year, 2020 is the year for new solutions.As yet, no committee has been formed to plan the food drive.

We have some unique challenges to overcome and I know we have the teens who can be creative developing solutions.If you are interested in working on the food drive, please let Jane know at 590-2492.Working on the food drive offers unique opportunities for leadership and service learning.

Shooting Sports Meeting

Teton County 4-H Shooting Sports Program offers training in four disciplines: archery, Western Heritage, air and small-bore pistol and air and small-bore rifle.  There will be a pistol and rifle organizational meeting October 6 at 7 pm at the Rocky Mountain Rifle Club outside Fairfield.  Members MUST enroll both in 4-H and the project on or prior to the night of the meeting.This meeting is MANDATORY for pistol members and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for rifle members.

Pistol members will meet Tuesdays from 4 pm-7 pm at the Rocky Mountain Rifle Club October 13-November 17.Rifle members will also meet on Tuesdays from 4 pm-7 pm December 1-February 9.For more information, please contact Brian Bedord at 590-9092 or [email protected].

Archery sessions will begin shortly after the new year according to Archery Project Leader Jason Asselstine.

Opportunities for All Scholarship

We realize the COVID-19 situation may have caused economic hardships for some of our county residents.If you or someone you know may be having difficulty paying club dues or any other costs related to 4-H membership, please contact the Opportunities for All Scholarship, Inc. organization.This non-profit exists to provide monies for Teton County residents for enrichment programs, such as 4-H, Scouts, etc.Families/individuals who would qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Price School Lunch Program, based on their income, are automatically eligible for these scholarships.There is a $250 limit per person or $500 limit per family during any 12-month period.The Extension Office has application forms or you can write to OFAS Inc. at PO Box 1134, Choteau, MT59422 for one.

Livestock Committee Minutes

The Livestock Committee met May 18, 2020 Via WebEx

Members Present:

Todd Banner, Danelle, Carson and Dusty Crary, Josh and Salina deVos, Clayton and Karen Forseth, Madison Irons, Mark Major, Craig and Jolene Moore, Alexis and Ashle Morris, Brent Roeder, Doug Ulsh, Justyce and Rusch Yeager.There were 52 guests in attendance.A list of their names is on record at the Extension Office.

Following welcoming words from Jane, an update from Teton County Department of Health and Chris Hindoein, Mayor of the City of Choteau, the meeting was called to order at 7:25 pm Via WebEx by Todd Banner.

New Business:

Only item agenda covered at meeting was the future of the 2020 Teton County Livestock Show and Sale.

Karen moved and Ashle seconded: Teton County Livestock Committee goes forward with the 2020 Teton County Livestock Show and Sale to be held in Choteau June 24-27, 2020, with the following conditions and changes:

1. Any and all directives and requirements from the Governor, Health Department, MSU Extension and any other entity associated with the decision making process for Teton County 4-H will be strictly adhered to.2. Modifications to previous fair arrangements will have to be made to protect the health and well-being of our members, their families, Teton County Extension staff, volunteers, buyers and members of our community. 3.Member participation at the show will be optional with no penalty and they will still be allowed to sell their animal at the sale, if they so choose.4. Sale will be held utilizing an online format using only photos of the animals for sale.

A detailed plan addressing all of the changes required will be developed, finalized and submitted for approval by the health department and MSU Extension as they request.This will be done at the discretion of the Teton County Extension staff.Input from the Livestock Executive and species superintendents will also be included, as needed, to carry out this task.These changes will only apply to the 2020 Teton County Fair.

Todd opened the floor to discussion from the committee members first with a time limit of 3 minutes per member.Limited discussion from the guests was allowed after all committee members gave their input.Discussion in favor of the motion included:Reserved processing spots, showing/normalcy allowed with motion and opportunity to provide a product seeing more demand due to COVID-19.Discussion opposed to motion included:Losing buyers due to change in format, reduced prices, setting example to other counties across the state with preference being to hold show and sale without changes or conditions related to COVID directives.

Todd called for vote.Karen-Secretary, called each voting member for their vote.Motion carries with a margin of 9:1.

Meeting adjourned at 8pm.

 

The Livestock Committee met June 9, 2020, 7:00PM via WebEx due to COVID-19.

Members Present:Danelle Crary, Clayton and Karen Forseth, Josh deVos, Ashle, Alexis Morris, Todd Banner, Sharla Hinman, Jamie Smith, Brent Roeder and Jane Wolery.  Guests included:  Chelsee Yeager

Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Josh deVos.

Reports:  Jane reported on the number of animals that signed up for the fair.  25 Beef will ship, 2 Breeding will show.  23 Swine, 3 Lambs, 2 Goats, 1 Breeding with the possibility of 2 more Pearson swine and Harrell swine (not sure if his is shipping at time of meeting.)  Save the date postcards sent to 480 addresses. 

Advertising in Acantha and Sun Times. Radio, Tribune, Helena Independent this week.  Posters and postcards available to distribute.

Minutes:No minutes or treasurer’s reports.

Action/Input Items:  1.  Breeding projects:  Goat project will be placed in with the lambs on Thursday.  Breeding beef will be brought in on Thursday and shown at 9:30 am after the Lamb/Goat show prior to small animal show.

2.  Schedule was adjusted as follows:  7am No Show Beef Weigh-in.  Market Show beef weigh in after.  Show starts at 10 am.  

3.  It was determined that a skidsteer would not be needed for this fair.

4.  It was at the Livestock Committee’s discretion not to refund Assessment fees.

5.  Brent will setup and calibrate the scale on Monday, June 22.

6.  A setup crew of Brent Roeder, Clayt and Karen Forseth, Ashle Morris and older girls, Todd Banner and older boys, and Josh deVos will meet at 5pm.

7.  Shipping crew will be made up of the species superintendents, Danelle Crary and Joe Campbell will be asked to serve. 

8.  Cleaning crew will be assigned by Jane.

New Business:

1.  Shirley Hodgskiss would be contacted with regards to sponsoring the George Hodgskiss Memorial Award for this year.  No herdmanship awards will be offered this year.

2.  Carcass judges have been selected.  Awards will be sent out and a carcass event would be addressed at a later time.

3.  Policy Committee:  Jane, Danelle, Josh, Ashle and Justin and/or Justyce.

4.  Grievance Committee:  Brent, Todd, Karen and Alexis

5.  Bo Somerfeld to ship to both processors on Sunday, June 28 for estimate of $680 to Chinook and $600 to Columbia Falls.

6.  Ashle Morris and family have volunteered to be the swine caretakers for Saturday night

7.  Signers on checking account issue tabled to date after the fair.

Next Meeting:Not scheduled at this point.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. 

Challenging Champs Minutes

The Challenging Champs had a 4-H meeting at 12 p.m. at the Dutton Pool. Cameron Keel led the American pledge and Jessica Toeckes led the 4-H pledge. For roll call, members said what 4-H

project they wanted to take next year.

For old business we discussed project reports. Jersey Somerfeld said that the 4-H fair was very different this year because of COVID-19. Our president Amara Bodkins, and leader Kelsy Diekhans reminded us that we are still going to be cleaning the gym after volleyball games but a mask will be required.

For new business we discussed what to expect for the next year regarding COVID guidelines. Our meeting dates for next year will be on the first Sunday of each month. We will not have a meeting in September. On October 4, we will be meeting up again and doing highway cleanup after our meeting. Jersey Somerfeld did a demonstration called "Sandwich Anyone?"

Tanner moved to adjourn the meeting and Annie seconded that.

Submitted by Amara Bodkins

Eager Eagles

On August 27, the Eager Eagles held a food drive as part of Kyona's Biggest Drive in honor of their club member, Kyona Yeager, who had contracted COVID-19 and become very ill.They gathered 287 pounds of food for the Fairfield Food Pantry.

Celebrations

Congress Contest Winners

Justin Forseth from Fairfield, and a member of the Eager Eagles 4-H club, earned a Montana State Award duringMontana 4-H Congress in early July.Forseth's State Award project focused onvideo and computer technology.His award earned him a trip to National 4-H Congress although it remains to be seen if that will take place live or virtually.

Madeline Konen, also ofFairfield and the Eager Eagles, earned second place in the category of career communications.

Congratulations to both Justin and Madeline on your hard-earned awards!

Carcass Contest Winners

The winning carcasses were announced during an on-line presentation July 26.Ben Hauptman who conducted the beef carcass evaluations was very pleased with what he saw and stated, "overall these were well-finished cattle with ten meeting the standards for Steer of Merit designation."Rusch Yeager of Choteau was awarded top place in the beef quality category with Samara DeBruycker of Dutton placing second.Third place went to Gage Banner of Fairfield.

The hog, lamb and goat carcasses were evaluated by Marco Manoukian from MSU Extension Phillips County.Marko was busy with the Phillips County 4-H fair during the on-line presentation so was not able to join in.The top three places for hog carcasses went to Joshua Rammell, Hunter Rammell(both of Choteau) and Keira Bender of Fairfield.In total, five hog carcasses met the standards for Symbol of Excellence quality distinction.

In lamb carcass, there were two carcasses that would have met the Symbol of Excellence designation but the 4-H members to whom they belonged were not current on their livestock quality assurance training which is a requirement in Teton County.The first and second place thus went to senior 4-H members Conner Klick of Fairfield and Lila Bradley of Choteau.The two goat carcasses did not score for merit status.

Sponsors for the carcass contest were Beef: North Montana Feeders, Hog, lamb and goat: Choteau Lions Club.

For the Good of the Order

Make It Yourself With Wool

The District 3 Make It With Wool contest will be held November 7, 2019, in Great Falls.  Categories are Pre-Teen, Junior, Senior, Adult and Made for Others.  First place winners in Junior, Senior, Adult and Made for Other categories will advance to the State Competition held during the Montana Wool Growers Convention December 4-5, 2020, in Billings.  Please note that there is a STRICT content testing policy.  ALL fabrics and yarns used in garments in ALL categories will be tested for wool content prior to District contests.  For more information, please contact the Extension Office.

All Are Welcome!

As a youth organization, 4-H strives to meet our members at their own levels of interest, capacity and capability. All 4-Hers are encouraged to visit with the Extension Agents regarding their goals for their 4-H career, so that we may help link them to activities, events and opportunities that will be of value to them. If a 4-H member requires adjustments or accommodations – ranging from food allergies to wheelchair accessibility to sign language interpreters – we will gladly try to make those accommodations. We rely upon the members and their families to request these modifications of services. To make such a request, you may indicate in writing or verbally that you or your child needs accommodations. We are happy to work with you to adapt the 4-H program to fit your needs.

Fair and Equitable

As Montana State University Extension is committed to ensuring the civil rights of its clients, employees and volunteers. Every client, volunteer and employee must be treated fairly and equitably, with dignity and respect. This policy applies to all clients, volunteers, employees – regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, citizenship, and marital or family status. Each Extension employee and 4-H Leader has an important role in ensuring that our programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with the goals of the program, and for maintaining a positive and equitable environment. We are all responsible to recruit and retain people who are traditionally underrepresented in our programs and employee groups. We broaden our outreach when we are open to a diversity of ideas, cultures, experiences and backgrounds. Not only are our lives enriched, but we also build healthier communities for learning and living.MSU Extension and 4-H are pleased to partner with you to achieve the important goals of equity and fairness to all.

A Big "No"!

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.

 

Calendar

October

7:  4-H Enrollment Begins

6:  Shooting Sports Meeting

TBA:  Choteau Food Drive

           4-H Council meeting

           4-H Livestock Committee meeting

31:  Treasurers' Books Due

November

7:  Make It With Wool District 3 Contest

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