Fair!

We understand that everyone wants to know what Fair will look like, how it will run and what's going to happen.We are working everyday on what the 2021 Fair will look like.We promise you this:we will do our very best to offer a fair to our 4-H members that gives them opportunities to present their projects to judges that are excited to see what they have accomplished in a challenging year!We will communicate with you in a variety of ways as soon as decisions are finalized and we ask for your patience while we work on ways to navigate a still-changing environment!

Club Dues and 1% Fee

As of the time the newsletter was published, the following 4-H clubs need to pay their dues/1% fee by April 15 or the amount will double:Rocky Mountain Top Shots ($53.51)and Horse Club ($73.43).Checks should be made out to Teton County 4-H Council.Thank you.

 

The Next 31

April 5                 Deadline for Swine Possession, Paperwork and Photos

April 15               Deadline for adding and/or dropping projects

April 15               Deadline for paying club dues or lose 4-H membership

April 19               Deadline for Lamb/Goat Possession, Paperwork and Photos

All scheduled activities subject to change due to COVID!

Communication Day

A survey was sent March 17 to all 4-H families to complete regarding what day was preferred for Communication Day.The days presented in the survey were April 10, May 8 or June 10.Results of the survey are pending and will be announced soon.Thank you to all who have participated!

4-H Camp

Camp Rotary has been reserved for the week of July 26 this year.Plans are being made and the call for counselors will go out soon!

Teton County 4-H campers around the campfire roasting marshmellows.

Clubs and Committees

Challenging Champs

Submitted by Amara Bodkins, secretary

The Challenging Champs 4-H Club met on March 7, 2021, at 2 pm. Nineteen members, one Cloverbud, and nine adults/leaders were present either in person or online. Caleb Toeckes led the American Pledge and Jessica Toeckes led the 4-H Pledge. Secretary Amara Bodkins led roll call asking if members wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, and read the last meeting minutes. Annie Diekhans moved to approve the minutes and Isaac Toeckes seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.

For our treasurer’s report it was stated that all club dues have been paid, and our sweatshirts promoting 4-H were purchased, as well. Jack Toeckes moved to approve the treasurer’s report with a second from Isaac. The motion passed. Leader Stacy Woodhouse talked to our club about the Remind App for notifications and that the Extension Office is now using it to send out 4-H dates and information. Stacy is going to try and add emails so our club can start using the platform. Members then gave project reports. Mikayla Toeckes reported on the 4-H sweatshirts being paid. Jessica and Annie reported on the 9-patch pillowcases they made together.

Sammy Martinez reported on the coffee cake she made for cooking, along with five other members. Trevor Woodhouse spoke for Colin and reported Colin taking on a twin calf who he named Terrance, and bottle feeds three times a day. Colin has a video on our 4-H Facebook page for members to learn how to correctly bottle feed a calf. Jersey reported on her bread making and how she made a leather design on top of her Dudes. President Jersey Somerfeld told members if they are showing animals that they need to work with them so they can be shown in a safe manner. April 15 is the deadline for dropping or adding 4-H projects. Our club decided on having a Demonstration day during which members can participate in virtually or in person and be judged. Jack made a motion to move our meeting to the 25th of April and then still have our May 2nd meeting, and Jessica seconded. The motion carried. For new business leader Kelsy spoke to our club about having a community garden where the fresh produce could be given to community members and several families could sign up to maintain the garden throughout the growing season. The Woodhouse, Martinez, Toeckes, Keel, and Stengrimson families all signed up to help with the garden. A committee was formed to make a weekly schedule which included Jessica, Abigail, Mikayla, Zoe, Sammy, Madison, Cameron, and Amara. Jessica moved to adjourn the meeting and Cameron seconded. Claire Pfeifle demonstrated on how to make a Pickle in a Blanket.

Old Agency

Submitted by Natalie Hodgskiss, secretary

The Old Agency 4-H Club met January 18, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the Choteau Elementary School. There were 19 members present. Roll call was “What is your new year's resolution.”The American pledge was led by Brody, and the 4-H pledge was led by Bellamy. The secretary’s report was read by Natalie. Kale moved and Charlie seconded to accept the report. Taylor gave the treasurer's report. Dillion moved and Ledger seconded to accept the treasurer's report.

Old Business: The Christmas committee decided to not do a Christmas party because of the high amount of COVID cases in the county.Bellamy reported that the Caring Tree was a success and all the gifts were received.The club decided to not buy sweatshirts for last year's seniors.We decided to do $50 gift cards. Charlie moved and Bellamy seconded to get $50 gift cards for last year's seniors.Motion passed.

New Business: The 4-H club discussed ideas for community service projects. We talked about donating essentials to Toby’s House. We formed a committee to find out more ways we can help with Toby’s House.The group made Valentine’s Day cards to give to people in nursing home facilities. Ainsley moved and Trent seconded to adjourn the meeting.Meeting Adjourned

 

On March 16, 2021, we had a 4-H meeting at 6:30 pm. It was held at Choteau Elementary School. There were 24 members present. The roll call theme was “What’s your favorite part of spring.” The American pledge was led by Laudi and the 4-H pledge was led by Andrew. Natalie read the secretary's report. Bellamy moved and Andrew seconded the secretary’s report as read. Taylor gave the treasurer’s report and assured us that the Visa gift cards were received. Blake Gunderson moved and Jacob seconded to accept the treasurer's report as read.

Old Business: Trent and Blake gave a report about Toby’s House and told us how to donate money or non-perishables. We also learned that there is an Amazon wish list and Toby’s House needs older volunteers to help lay sod during the summer. Blake Hodgskiss moved and Charlie seconded to donate $200 to $300 for needed supplies at Toby's House.

New Business: Seeley reported that Carrie Otness is willing to teach about six kids how to sew pillow cases at her workshop in Fairfield. You need have your own sewing machine to attend the class. Seeley also reported Cathy Campbell is willing to teach kids from our 4-H club how to cook and bake. This will be held at the Lutheran Church depending on how many kids want to go. Jane reported that they are hoping to have 4-H camp, and also reported deadlines for The Foundation Scholarship and when the deadline is for adding or dropping projects.Our club talked briefly about the Fireworks Fundraiser. We also talked about selling popcorn at the Choteau Easter egg hunt. The club filled Easter eggs for the town Easter egg hunt.

Bellamy moved and Jacob seconded to adjourn the meeting. Meeting Adjourned.

Spring Creek 4-H members play a game of toss after their March meeting.

Horse Club Service Project Day

4-H Horse club members helped clean the 406 Arena for their service project day.

4-H Horse club members helped clean the 406 Arena for their service project day.

Announcing TetonCounty: An LQA video production with built-in quizzes!

All members listed below will receive an email with a link to the video.  You will have about one month to complete.

Market Project Members Needing LQA

If your name islisted below, you MUST take an approved Livestock Quality Assurance (LQA) class before fair if you want to be eligible for county and/or state carcass awards.  Keep watching ZSuite Annoucements and your email for news about the new and improved LQA coming your way!

Ariana Banner

Avery Banner

Gage Banner

McCoy Banner

Kinsey Bender

Caden Brooks

Jeff Burton

Ainsley DeBruycker

Nolan DeBruycker

Kingston Egbert

Blake Gunderson

Kale Gunderson

Dillon Harrell

Atha Johns

Annika Konen

Waverly Konen

Andrew Major

Jacob Major

Katie Major

Ledger Martin

Elexis McCann

Tessa McFarlin

Maili Miller

Nick Miller

Alexis Morris

Jorja Morris

Katy Morris

Seeley Neal

Kamri Neuman

Kinlie Neuman

Shea Ostberg

Aundra Passmore

Caleb Rammell

Hunter Rammell

Jeremiah Rammell

Cannon Stewart

McKenzie Stewart

Trent Taylor

Grace Toeckes

Jackson Toeckes

Maggie Toeckes

Mikayla Toeckes

Dylan Ulsh

Cyler Yeager

Justyce Yeager

Kyona Yeager

Rusch Yeager

Renegade Jackpot-Choteau

Saturday, May 29-Beef

Sunday, May 30-Goats & Lambs

Monday, May 31-Beef

3 Days, 48 Buckles, 120 Banners

8 Belt Buckles Awarded for residents of Teton County only!

Teton County market Steer class and beef showmanship on May 31.

Grand and reserve belt buckles awarded for residents of Teton county market Steer and Grand and Reserve Showmanship in Junior, intermediate and senior classes.  For more information, contact Chelsee Yeager at [email protected]

Marias Invitational-Shelby

The Marias Invitational Livestock Judging Contest in Shelby is happening again this year! The contest will be held at the Marias Fairgrounds on Sunday, May 16. Registration starts at 12:30 pm, with judging starting at 1 pm and awards by 5 pm (hopefully).

There will be 10 classes – beef, sheep, swine, goat, and a surprise. Reasons will be given on 4 classes. Individual and team awards will be given for junior (8-13) and senior (14-18) age categories.

All 4-H and FFA members are welcome. Registration fees will be $5 per participant, payable to Toole County 4-H. For registration form, please contact MSU Extension Teton County. Please have registration to MSU Extension Toole County by Friday, May 14.

Project Add/Drop

The deadline for adding or dropping projects for this 4-H year is APRIL 15.Beyond that date, you cannot add projects OR drop projects for this year.Be sure you will be able to complete any projects you have already enrolled in before deciding to add any more.Carefully determine if you will not be able to complete a project for which you have signed up before dropping it.

Find Out More About Record Books

Montana 4-H Live Webinar Series
GPS & Drone Aerial Mapping

Through June 2021
Live Webinars for Virtual Club Meetings and/or In-home Learning

If  you are interessted in this new offering, please let the Extension Office know ASAP.  Links for webinars will be available soon.

Technology needed:  Participants can utilize their own handheld GPS receiver (or smartphone with apps such an OnX, Gaia, Google Maps, etc. for certain applciations) and drone (if they have them).

Webinars will be recorded an made available on the website.

5:  Google Earth

Introduction to Google Earch software/app.

April 5, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

Technology needed:  computer with free Google Earch software or app installed or accessible.

6:  Logging points, lines and polgyones with GPS Receiver Outside & Importing to Google Earth

From fireld to office to map of your features of interesst.

April 20, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

7:  Introduction to Drones

How they're used in agriculture & natural resource applications.

May 4, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

Technology needed:  a drone if you have one; otherwise this information will help you understand which type of drone or simulator to start with.

8:  Drone Simulators/Drones & Aerial Imagery/Drone FAA Flight Rules & Regulations

May 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

9:  Drone Flight Parameters & Mission Planning

Elevation, speed, pattern, overlap, timing, etc. are flight variables affecting photo coverage and eventual end map success.

June 1, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

10.  Aerial Image(s) Stitching - Introduction to Microsoft Image Composite Editor

This software is used to stitch drone-collected photos together.

11.  Calculating Scale for Stitched Aerial Photo/Map

Turn your large-area drone aerial map into a land management tool by calculating the scale of your aerial map. 

For the Good of the Order

2021 Club Rotations

Weatherbeater Concessions-Spring Creek

Fair Project Display-Pavilion-Old Agency

Buyers' Appreciation/Meat & Greet-Prairie Stars & Challenging Champs

Fair Clean Up-Pavilion-Eager Eagles

Camp Rotary Clean Up-Eager Eagles 

Calendar

April 2021

5:  Swine assessment fees, paperwork and photos due

15:  Project Add/Drop Deadline
        Pay Club Dues or Lose 4-H membership deadline

19:  Lamb and goat assessment fees, paperwork and photos due 

May 2021

May 28:  Fair registrations 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
2024    June 24-30
2025    June 24-29

MSU Extension Teton County
P.O. Box 130
Choteau, MT 59422
Agents:
Karen Forseth:  [email protected]
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