4-H Newsletter June 2022

Livestock Members, Families and Friends!

Fair is right around the corner. I can hardly believe it! With that, we need to remember our livestock judge is paid to be at our fair and give their opinion on that day. Please have respect for their time and opinion and listen to their reasons for placing the classes. Definitely thank them for their time, ask how you can improve, etc.However, please refrain from negative interactions.

-Ashle Morris

Teton County Livestock Committee President

Attention Beef, Lamb and Goat Members!

This year, you will have the option to leave your animals at the Weatherbeater until they are loaded out on Sunday. It will be your responsibility to handle the care, safety, and comfort of your animal during that time. You will be expected to secure your animal whenever it is not being shown. Neck-ties are required!

If you choose to take your animal home, ALL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY will be yours when you leave the Weatherbeater grounds. If your animal is injured or dies away from the Weatherbeater at any point after the sale it will be up to you and your family to repay your buyer.

There is limited insurance on the animals during the fair and only on the Weatherbeater grounds.

4-H Fair Awards-Sweatshirts

One of the choices of awards for Division winners (Pavilion) & Grands (Weatherbeater) is a sweatshirt.Kelly Bakken will be at the 4-H Fair with examples of shirts.If you choose a sweatshirt, you will be able to personalize it.Clubs may be interested in getting club sweatshirts made and individuals can check out having sweatshirts made, too.

The Next 31

June 5

• Swine Educational Workshop @ 3 p.m. at Ryan & Kelly DeBruycker's 

June 18

• Teton County 4-H Horse Show @ 406 Arena in Vaughn

June 22

• Interview Judging

June 24-25

• Animal Shows, Textile Show, Family Dance-See Included Schedule for More Information

June 25

• Livestock Sale

June 30

• Final Camp Deadline

2022 Teton County 4-H Fair Schedule

• Please be kind, patient, and respectful to all who attend and work at our fair.
• Eager Eagles 4-H Club is arranging a food truck for concessions.
• Market livestock members are encouraged to acknowledge and thank their buyers. A buyer's reception is not planned.
• While 4-H is a youth event and can be a great family activity, we encourage families with participating youth to limit the attendance of younger children who cannot be given full attention and supervision during the fair. Unattended children can pose a safety risk. We want to encourage best practices for safety.
• Remember to pick up your own garbage and clean your area before leaving.
• Livestock bedding will be the responsibility of the members.

Before the Horse Show:

Horse Assessments: Schedule with your horse leaders.

Saturday, June 18, 2022

9:00 a.m. Horse Show at 406 Arena

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

6:30 p.m.Weatherbeater Set Up

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

1:00-1:30 p.m.Judges' Orientation

1:10-2:15 p.m.Eager Eagles

2:15-3:00 p.m.Old Agency

3:00-3:45 p.m.Prairie Stars & Spring Creek

3:45-4:30 p.m.Challenging Champs

4:30-5:15 p.m.Rocky Mountain Top Shots & Teton County Horse Club

5:30 p.m.Project Display at Pavilion (Challenging Champs)

Friday, June 24, 2022

Market Beef and Breeding Show

7:00 a.m.Beef Weighing

• MUST have ownership papers for brand inspector at the scale
• No blowers until weighing completed.
• Members may fit from their trailers and/or tie inside of Weatherbeater

10:30 a.m.Market Beef Show and Showmanship

Beef Breeding Show:After market classes

At the completion of the Beef Show:

Beef can be left at the Weatherbeater or taken home until the sale on Saturday, June 25

• If animals are left at the Weatherbeater, it is the responsibility of the member to tie up securely and feed and water them.
• If animals are takes home, all liability rests with the 4-H member(s) and their families.

Friday, June 24, 2022

Market Lamb & Goat Show

3:00 p.m. Market Goat & Lamb Weigh in

3:30 p.m. Market Lamb & Goat Show & Showmanship

• Market Goat & Breeding Show & Showmanship
• Market Lamb & Breeding Show & Showmanship

At the completion of the Lamb & Goat Show

• Lambs and goats can be left at the Weatherbeater or taken home until the sale on Saturday, June 25
  • If animals are left at the Weatherbeater, it is the responsibility of the member to tie up securely and feed and water them.
  • If animals are takes home, all liability rests with the 4-H member(s) and their families.

Small Animal Shows

5:00 p.m. at the Choteau Pavilion/Choteau City Park

• Dog Show

Style Show

6:00 p.m. at the Choteau City Park or Choteau Pavilion

Family Dance with DJ Mandy Beachy

7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Choteau Pavilion

Saturday, June 25

Market Swine Show

• 7 a.m. Swine Weigh in
• 9:00 a.m. Market Swine Show & Showmanship

Round Robin

• TBA

Set Up Sale Arena

Before Livestock Sale

Members return with market lambs, goats and beef.

Livestock Sale Registration at the Weatherbeater

• 6:30 p.m.
• Out of courtesy for your buyers, members are encouraged to leave ample room for buyers to view sale ring.

4-H Livestock Sale at the Weatherbeater

• 7 p.m.
• Live sale with Jerry Collins Auction Service and Ryan Perry, Western Livestock Auction

Sunday, June 26

Shipping Day

Shipping Crew will be Livestock Superintendents.by 4-H Livestock Committee.

6:30 a.m.Swine Loaded

7:00 a.m. Lambs & Goats Loaded

7:30 a.m.Market Beef Loaded

Post-shipping

Clean up of Weatherbeater and grounds by those assigned to task.

Carcass Judging of market swine, lambs and goats

Time and date TBA

Bear Paw Meats, Chinook

Attendance of members/families is not allowed.

Carcass judging of market beef

Time and date TBA

Vandevanter Meats, Columbia Falls

Attendance of members/families is not allowed.

Watch your email for other instructions both before and after fair.

Call First!  We Are at 22% Staffing!

Due to our current staff vacancies, there will be times when the office will not be open.Jamie will be in the office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Please call to ensure someone will be in the office prior to coming in.Thank you.

Explore the Wild at Teton County 4-H Camp

July 26-28, 2022

A fun-filled three days of workshops, games, activities and more!

4-H Members & Cloverbuds

Camp Rotary Neihart, MT

Adult Volunteers:  No registration fee and t-shirt provided.

4-H Camp Counselors:  $25 registration fee and t-shirt provided.

Congress:  July 13-16

Complete applications by June 10:  The state dealine is June 15.

Montana 4-H Congress provides youth from across the state an opportunity to come together on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman for four days and participate in an event like no other. Congress offers both youth and adults a venue in which to learn, be challenged, and most of all, have a great time with their peers.You must be 13 as of October 1 of the current 4-H year in order to attend Congress.The following are the contests for Congress:

Career Communications

Demonstrations and/or Illustrated Talk

Fashion Revue

Gavel Games (Parliamentary Procedure)

Horse Judging

Horse Hippology (Horse Skill-a-Thon)

Livestock Judging

Public Speaking

Quilt Contest

Stir‐Up (foods)

Video

If you are interested in attending Congress, please let the Extension Office know either by texting 406-350-5373 or emailing [email protected]

Teton County 4-H members will only pay $115 by check to Teton County 4-H Council.

You can check the Facebook page under "Montana 4-H Congress" or find the latest 4-H Congress information.

Swine Education Workshop Sunday, June 5 at 3:00 p.m.

Educators: Morris Family

Where: Ryan & Kelly DeBruycker Farm, 331 13th Lane SW, Fairfield, MT 59436

What to Expect:

• Continued discussion of animal progress training & growth
• Continued discussion about feed
• Continued discussion about care of animal
  • Brushing, bathing, clipping, etc.
  • Getting animal ready for the show ring
• Advancing showmanship skills to be ready for fair
• Talk about expectations for fair
  • Dress code
  • 7 options in project books completed
  • Animal Journal record book review
• What to bring to fair for your animal
  • Feed pans, water buckets, bedding, skin/hair products , brushes, etc.
• Expectations from weigh-in, to show, to sale

Club Hubbub

Challenging Champs by Annie Diekhans, acting secretary

On May 1, 2022, at 4 p.m. the Challenging Champs 4-H club met in the Power School cafeteria. They started their meeting with an illustrated talk by Colin Woodhouse on Geocaching 101.

For the organizational meeting, seventeen members and five club leaders were present. Donald led the Pledge of Allegiance and Abigail led the 4-H Pledge. President Jersey read the April minutes and they were approved as read. Treasurer Jessica reported on our treasurer’s account and stated after a donation from Smoot Honey for $53 and paying Kelsy Diekhans $68.16 for parade candy, we have a balance of $2542.43. Colin moved to approve the treasurer’s report and Isaac seconded it. The motion carried. There are no bills to be approved at this time.

For old business, the club decided to clean up the town of Power on May 15, at 3 p.m. In new business, Leader Kristen Martinez mentioned the Senior Center needs help repainting their flower boxes. Maggie moved and Abigail seconded the motion to paint the boxes in the same afternoon as cleaning the town on May 15. The motion carried.

Jersey reminded the treasurer that our gym cleaning bill needs to be submitted to Power Schools.

In more new business, the club decided to put together a “Best of Teton County” basket to support the Mark Major fundraiser this summer. This basket will include handmade gifts made by our 4-H members and friends of 4-H and other donations from local businesses. Leader Leona has a basket for these items. Any donations can be given to Leader Kelsy so our basket can be ready by our June meeting.

Jersey announced the 4-H Camp planning committee is meeting May 9 at 6 p.m. County fair entries are due May 25. Teton County Fair is June 20-26 in Choteau. 4-H Camp will be held July 25-29 at Camp Rotary. Congress is July 13-16 in Bozeman.

For project reports, Jessica and Abigail talked about the vanilla cupcakes they made in the latest baking meeting. Caleb told the club his chocolate cake tasted really good. Kinlie and Kamri gave an update on their pigs. Annie showed the club her latest ambulance quilts and Jessica let the club know she finished the graduation quilt for her cousin. Jersey said her quilt is “spectacular”. Members Abigail and Caleb told the club how fun cake decorating was, although Caleb said he put too much frosting on his bunny cake. Leader Leona said she enjoyed her bunny cake for Easter dessert. The woodworkers, Zoe, Donald, and Calvin, brought their coasters to show, which were made from Russian Olive. Leader Laura said the Cloverbuds learned kitchen safety at their last meeting and made a couple of snacks.

Jack motioned to adjourn the meeting and Calvin seconded it. For their demonstration, Maggie, Grace, and Makayla taught the club the difference in Intravascular Vs. Subcutaneous injections for animals. Jack and Isaac took the club outside for a demonstration on “How To Set Up a One-Man-Tent”.

Because of the rain, Colin decided to postpone the club activity of geocaching in Power to May 15th when we clean up the town.

Next meeting will be June 6, 4 p.m. at the Power School cafeteria.

Respectfully submitted by Annie Diekhans, filling in for Secretary Amara Bodkins

Challenging Champs by Annie Diekhans, acting secretary

On April 3, 2022 at 4 p.m., the Challenging Champs 4-H club met in the Power School cafeteria. They started their meeting with an activity lead by Jack Toeckes. He explained Reverse Charades. The club members split into boys vs. girls and had a close match with the boys winning in the end.

For the organizational meeting, twelve members and seven club leaders were present. Calvin led the Pledge of Allegiance and Caleb led the 4-H Pledge. President Jersey read the February minutes and they were approved as read. Standing in for Treasurer Jessica, Leader Laura gave the treasurer’s report and stated that after paying for club dues and for our bowling party, we have a balance of $2557.59. Smoot Honey donated $53 towards our club. Calvin moved to pay Kelsy Diekhans $68.16 for the parade candy from Harvest Fest. Zoe seconded the motion and the motion carried.

For old business, Jack and Calvin told the club our bowling party was really fun. Calvin reported on his experiences at the county Communication Day. Leader Leona suggested we help our community dump site and clean up the garbage around the area. Leader Laura mentioned we could pick up garbage around Power before graduation. The club decided to pick a date at our May meeting to clean the highway, including inside the dump area, and also discuss when we can clean up the town of Power.

Zoe and Annie showed members the tool roll-up they made in quilting. Cayden told the club he is using his tool roll-up for paint brushes right now. Sammy showed the club the 9-square pillow cover she made just today! Calvin gave a report on the coffee table he is rebuilding with his dad in woodworking. Ethan, Caleb and Isaac told the club about their final Robotics meeting where they made a robot with ultrasonic sensors. The bakers, Caleb, Abigail, Sammy, and Annie talked about their cookie exchange at Martinez’s. Jersey shared her struggles with her current quilt. Laura gave an update on the fun activities the Cloverbuds have worked on the last two meetings. And Jack made the club laugh when he shared his mistake with his brownie recipe.

Under new business, Leona will be helping any interested members in cake decorating on April 16th, right after the Easter Egg hunt at the school. On April 10th, at 1:30 Leader Kristen will have the cooking project members make cakes and freeze them so they’re ready to decorate with Leona. A woodworking meeting is scheduled for April 23rd and Burgmaier Farms. Cloverbuds will meet April 7th right after school at Ben Toeckes’ to learn about kitchen safety.

Isaac motioned to adjourn the meeting and Cayden seconded it. Jersey showed techniques on how to stamp and burn leather with her “Burn, Baby, Burn” demonstration.

Next meeting will be May 1, 4 pm at the Power School cafeteria.

Respectfully submitted by Annie Diekhans, filling in for Secretary Amara Bodkins

Old Agency by Natalie Hodgskiss, secretary

The Old Agency 4-H group had a meeting on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 3:40pm in the Choteau Schools cafeteria. The American pledge was led by Hayden and the 4-H pledge was led by Kale. Roll call was taken by Natalie. There were 20 members present at the meeting.

The secretary’s report was read by Natalie. Trent moved and Kale seconded the Secretary’s report as read.

Dillion gave the treasurer's report. Our balance is $3,629.67 Seeley moved and Hayden seconded the treasures report as read.

Old Business:

Addi reported that the Weatherbeater Dinner went well and that we should think about doing it again in the future.Hayden reported that the pig class went well. One thing that she said she learned was that pigs like hard boiled eggs.We discussed the basket for the Major family. We decided that we are still interested, so we formed a committee to purchase items for the basket. Trent moved and Grant seconded to take out $100 dollars for items for the Major Basket.

New Business:

On May 20, there will be a Quilting for Ukrainian refugees project held at the LDS Church in Fairfield.

We were told that there are a few more livestock classes coming up. In these classes you will learn how to finish your animal, show your animal and expectations for the fair. The dates of these livestock classes are-Goats, June 11th, Swine, June 5th, Lambs, May 14th, and 4th of June, and Beef, May 22.

For fair, Old Agency is in charge of cleaning up the pavilion after the fair.Charlie moved and Grant seconded to clean up the pavilion after you drop off your animal.We were also informed that our club’s interview time for the fair is on June 22nd at 4:30pm. For livestock steers and small animals will show on Friday. Swine will show on Saturday. Then, the sale is on Sunday. Also, if you bring a market animal to the fair you have to pay a $100 dollar cleaning fee, and it is due by May 25.Another thing we were informed was that the livestock round robin is canceled unless there are volunteers to organize the event.The livestock board is working on different ideas for buyer appreciation. They had the idea of doing a popcorn reception with beverages.

Some important dates that we were notified about were the Renegade Jackpot which is May 28-29,4-H Camp which is July 25-29, 4-H Congress, the dates of which are July 13-16 in Bozeman, and the 4th of July concessions. For the 4th of July concessions, everyone that can be there is expected to help out. Carli will be sending out a sign up sheet. We will also be doing highway cleanup sometime toward the end of May to early June, so be watching your reminds.

Charlie moved and Kale seconded to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Natalie Hodgskiss

Benefit for the Mark Major Family

A gift basket and gun raffle will be held.  If you are interested in helping with the benefit, please contact Jane at 406-466-2492 or 406-590-2492.

Farewell from Jane Wolery

After serving in my current role for nearly 24 years, I will be leaving my position with MSU Extension in Teton County.My new position starts on June 6, which is not ideal timing.We will have three positions vacant in our office and will be staffed at 22% of normal as we head into the summer season and the fair.We ask for your patience and assistance.

We have always relied on volunteerism in the 4-H program and look to each of you now to consider ways you can assist.

We ask that you do everything you can to reduce workload for our remaining support staff member, Jamie Smith, who is employed at 32 hours per week for Extension.Please be patient as we may not be able to provide the customer service to which you have become accustomed.

If you know anyone who might be interested in a temporary full-time position with our office through the summer (and possibly into the fall) please have them reach out to me immediately.If you know of anyone who might be skilled for a 32-hour per week support staff work with our office, please have them contact us for an application.Because of my impending departure, and some other timing issues, I have decided to wait until another agent is on board before hiring this position.As well, if you know anyone who would be suited for my position, that posting can be found at https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/30434.

The search and interview process for the ag agent position has been underway and no new applications for that position are being accepted.

As we move into summer, some of the most pressing unfilled volunteer needs are for the following:

• 4-H Camp Chaperones and/or co-director
• 4-H Congress Chaperone
  • Jane is likely to be able to fill this role this year simultaneous with her new position, but would welcome another chaperone
• Textile Judging and Show Coordinator
  • Consists of setting registration, location, judges, etc.
  • Textile (on the model clothing and presentation of quilt) judging is generally held the week prior to the fair
  • Textile show during the fair on Friday night (June 24)
  • Organizing scripts, order, master of ceremonies, narrators, sometimes live music, etc.
• Fair dance chaperones for Friday night(June 24)

My new position will be as the Executive Director of the Montana 4-H Foundation.My supervisors (new and former) are willing to be patient as we work through the transition.My husband and I will remain living in Teton County.I will be working in Bozeman June 6-17, but will be available in Teton County the week of the fair and will try to do much of what I normally do.I will be attending 4-H Congress and will likely be able to chaperone our delegation. I will, unfortunately, not be able to attend camp, which is probably my favorite of the summer 4-H events.Marla Holmquist does a fabulous job as the camp director.I believe we have the kitchen crew extraordinaire of Leona Somerfeld and Cathy Campbell.Carli Neal plans to attend as a chaperone and nurse.It would be a great time for other volunteers to join at camp to gain from their historical knowledge.

The 4-H program in Teton County has been a great, productive, engaged, and strong program.I have high hopes that it will remain so in the future, in large part to the dedication of our 4-H families.

It has been my pleasure and honor to serve you and to form lasting relationships with so many in the nearly quarter-century of service in my position.May we all enjoy the exploration of new and familiar gifts and opportunities … and remain green and growing!

Thanking Your Buyer

Congratulations!You bought your market animal (or chose it from your own herd) then put the time and effort into getting it ready for the fair.You worked on gentling it, brushing it, walking it, etc.You came to fair, showed and presented your market animal in the show ring.And then...your animal sold!The marketing you did paid off and now you need to thank your buyer.How do you do that?

Thanking your buyer can take many forms.Some members purchase small gifts for their buyers such as plaques with a photo of them with their animal.These plaques have an area for wording so you can put something along the lines of "Thank you for buying my steer "Bandit" Teton County Fair 2022."Other members have baked cookies and delivered them to their buyers with a thank you note.Others simply write a thank you note.

What do you say in your thank you note? See the example below for an example of how to write a thank you note to your buyer.

Dear Mr. and Ms. Grocery Store:

Thank you for buying my steer "Bandit" at the Teton County

4-H Fair. Bandit was the first steer I raised for 4-H and I

really enjoyed it.He was fun to work with--once he got used

to his halter.He liked to be scratched on his back and

got used to setting up.

I plan to use part of my earnings from Bandit to buy my next

steer and the rest will go into my savings account for college.

Thank you again for buying Bandit and supporting 4-H.

I think he will provide good beef for you.

Sincerely,

Pat Clover

Teton County 4-H Horse Show

June 18, 2022 at 406 Arena at 9:30 a.m.

Lots to Celebrate BUT...

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. 

Contact/Resources (Clip and Keep)

MSU Extension Teton County

• 466-2491/2492 (phone/voice mail)
• [email protected] (send club minutes, most questions/issues)
• 406-530-5373 (text ONLY, checked M-F, 8-5)
• https://teton.msuextension.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/TetonCoExt
• http://montana4h.org/

Fair Dates

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

2022    June 20-26
2023    June 19-25
2024    June 24-30
2025    June 24-29
2026    June 22-28

Camp Dates

2022    July 25-29

Congress

2022    July 13-16

MSU Extension Teton County
P.O. Box 130
Choteau, MT 59422
406-466-2491

Agents:

Jane Wolery:  [email protected]

Assistant:

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