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.

Quilting for Ukrainian Refuges

Help is needed to create quilts for Ukrainian refuges.

Dates:May 13 & 14, May 20 & 21

Time:10 a.m. - 7 p.m. all four days.Anyone can come at any time and stay as long as they like.

Place:LDS Church in Fairfield

Material, yarn, thread and needles will be provided.

If anyone has quilt batting or quilt frames and could bring them to the quilting days, it would be appreciated.Five regular-sized, five queen-sized and five crib-sized quilts will be made.

 

If you have questions, please contact Judy Giles at 406-467-3421 (H) or 406-590-8896 (C) or Pam Haynes at 406-467-2008 (H) or 406-450-2698 (C).

The Next 31

May 1

  • Beef Educational Workshop @ 2 p.m. at Lidstrom's

May 6

  • Cancelled:  Swine Educational Workshop @ 5:30 p.m.

May 7

  • Goat Educational Workshop @ 1 p.m. at Pearson's

May 9

  • Camp Planning Meeting @ 6 p.m.

May 11

  • Livestock Committee Meeting @ 6 p.m. at New Life Church in Fairfield

May 14

  • Lamb Educational Workshop @ 1 p.m. at Roeder's

May 22

  • Beef Educational Workshop @ 3 p.m. Location TBD

May 25

  • Fair Entry Deadline

Camp Counselors

Camp Counselors are needed for what will be the greatest 4-H camp the world has EVER seen!Camp will be held July 25-29 and counselors must be 14 as of October 1, 2021.There will be a camp planning meeting May 9 at 6 pm, location to be determined.Please contact the Extension Office if you are interested in being a camp counselor.So far, Myles Allen, Nolan Forseth, Golden Holmquist, Presley Holmquist, Madeline Konen, Shea Ostberg, Leah Paulson, Maggie Toeckes and Mikayla Toeckes have contacted us.

Call First!  We Are at 50% 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.

Congress:  July 13-16

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]

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

Beef Education Workshop Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m.

Educators: Lidstrom Family & Kwin Briscoe

Where: Lidstrom Ranch, 451 2nd Road SW, Fairfield, MT 59436

What to Expect:

  • Talk about how animals are progressing
  • More advanced training session
    • Leading, Feet set up, Showmanship skills, What to expect from a judge, etc.
  • Tips on washing, hair care, brushing, trimming
    • Examples of products & equipment used
  • Discuss feed schedules as animal grows
    • How to meet optimal weights/muscle, etc.
  • Check in on project books & record books
  • Question & Answer

Cancelled:  Swine Education Workshop Friday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Educators: deVos Family

Goat Education Workshop Saturday, May 7 at 1 p.m.

Educators: Bender & Pearson Families

Where: Pearson Home, 560 Hwy 413, Fairfield, MT 59436

What to Expect:

  • How to start socializing your animal
  • When & how to start basic training.
  • Maintaining housing/shelter for your animal
  • Equipment needed for the project (collars, brushes, etc.)
    • How to use items
  • Feeding & watering your animal
  • Vaccination/worming schedules
  • Discuss healthy vs. unhealthy animals.
    • When to call your vet?
  • Discuss project books & record books
  • Question & Answer

Lamb Education Workshop May 14 at 1 p.m.

Educators: Brent & Tracie Roeder

Where: Roeder Ranch,950 County Line Road,Fort Shaw, MT 59443

What to Expect:

  • How to start socializing your animal
  • When & how to start basic training.
    • Halter breaking, feet placement, leading etc.
  • Maintaining housing/shelter for your animal
  • Equipment needed for the project (halters, ties, brushes, show sticks)
    • How to use these items
  • Feeding & watering your animal
    • Feeding schedule & how to progress as animal grows
  • Vaccination/worming schedules
  • Discuss healthy vs. unhealthy animals. When to call your vet?
  • Discuss project books & record books
  • Question & Answer

Beef Education Workshop Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m.

Educators: Morris Family

Where: Location TBA

What to Expect:

  • Animal progress with training and growth
  • Continued discussion of 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

Lamb Education Workshop Saturday, June 4 at 1 p.m.

Educators: Brent & Tracie Roeder

Where: Roeder Ranch,950 County Line Road,Fort Shaw, MT 59443

What to Expect:

  • How animals are progressing with training and growth
  • More advanced training session
    • Leading, set-up, showmanship, judging, etc.
  • Tips on washing, hair care, brushing, trimming
  • Discuss feed schedules as animal grows
    • How to meet optimal weights/muscle, etc.
  • 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
  • Expectations from weigh-in, to show, to sale

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

Goat Education Workshop Saturday, June 11 at 1 p.m.

Educators: Bender & Pearson Families

Where: Pearson Home, 560 Hwy 413, Fairfield, MT 59436

What to Expect:

  • How animals are progressing with training and growth
  • More advanced training session
    • Leading, set-up, showmanship, judging, etc.
  • Tips on washing, hair care, brushing, trimming
  • Discuss feed schedules as animal grows
    • How to meet optimal weights/muscle, etc.
  • 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
  • Expectations from weigh-in, to show, to sale

Club Hubbub

Spring Creek

April 10, 2022 Meeting Minutes

The Spring Creek 4-H April 10, 2022, meeting was called to order at 3:08 PM by vice-president, Leah Paulson. The meeting was attended by Nick Miller, Maili Miller, Chad Miller, Audrey Lobdell, Kolman Lobdell, Dustin Lobdell, Bre Lobdell, Addison Scott, Leah Paulson, Anna Paulson, Tiffany Paulson, Susan Snyder and Jo Lynn Miller by phone.Anna Paulson led the American pledge and Nick Miller led the 4-H pledge. Leah Paulson reported on the fireworks fundraiser meal that will be April 16 at the Pavilion. Leah and Jo Lynn have gathered many donations. Our club will be responsible for a few more food items and supplying workers on Saturday. Club members were asked to have their donations to the Pavilion by 10 a.m. on Saturday.

 

Leah read the March 14, 2022, meeting minutes. The club approved the minutes as read. Maili gave the treasurer’s report with the account balance at $1,624.00.

 

4-H members Anna Paulson, Audrey Lobdell, Nick Miller, Maili Miller and Leah Paulson gave demonstrations before the club. After demonstrations the meeting was adjourned.

Eager Eagles by Addie Pearson

The Eager Eagles meeting at the New Life Church in Fairfield on March 14, 2022, at 6:34 p.m. was called to order by president Madeline Konen.Korbin Pearson led the pledges. Addie Pearson read the roll call in Taylee Pearson’s absence.Korbin Pearson motioned to approve the minutes as written. Logan Becker seconded the motion. The motion proceeded to a vote. The motion passed unanimously. Ayden DeBruycker gave the treasurer’s report. We currently have $952.82 in checking and $213.13 in savings. Two checks were written. One to Teton County 4-H Council for our club dues and annual fee. The second to Hot Dang Ninja for half of the registration for cooking members to attend a cookie decorating class for Valentine’s Day.Waverly Konen gave the cooking report.The cooking members had a meeting at the Fairfield Senior Center learning how to make lasagna. Nolan DeBruycker gave the Shooting Sports report. Shooting Sports members have been meeting twice a week to practice. Recently there were two meets. One in Great Falls and the 4-H State Meet in Bozeman. Ayden DeBruycker gave the horse report. There was a working meeting in February in which project and record books were reviewed and the helmet video was watched.They are planning on a riding meeting in March or April. Katie Egbert and Kelly DeBruycker gave the livestock report. There was a livestock meeting on March 8 for continued fair planning. They are looking for volunteers for species superintendents.It was voted that the Round Robin and Buyers Meet and Greet will be cancelled this year unless volunteers step up to assist in setting up those events. Thursday, April 7 will be the next livestock meeting.

Reminders about collecting Show Rite feed tags, market animal members completing seven activities in their project books prior to fair interview day, and record book completion. This year, Eager Eagles fair rotation is concessions. We can choose to have concessions or not have concessions. If we choose to have concessions it is up to our club on how it is handled. If we choose not to have concessions, our club will be assigned another rotation at fair.Nolan Forseth motioned to bring a food truck to the fair. Korbin Pearson seconded it. Heidi Pearson will contact food trucks and figure out the details. Eager Eagles will serve at the Shrimp Peel Fundraiser on April 2nd.We will earn about $300.00. Mrs. DeBruycker gave reminders on market animal qualifications for fair and educational opportunities for each species that are available.She also reminded market animal members to start thinking about how to market your animal before the sale. One of the fundraisers chosen by Eager Eagles this year is a bake sale. Dates were discussed for the best time. We will consider having the bake sale mid-May at the Fairfield City Park or maybe at a baseball game. We will discuss further at the next meeting. There was a committee meeting on how to help the Mark Major Family. The committee decided to hold a gun and basket raffle.The proceeds from the raffle will go to the Major Family. Korbin Pearson made a motion to have Eager Eagles donate a basket. Nolan DeBruycker seconded the motion. The motion proceeded to a vote. The motion passed unanimously. The theme chosen for the basket is “Breakfast Basket.”Families from Eager Eagles will donate items to put into the breakfast basket. The baskets will need to be ready by April 25. Mrs. DeBruycker asked that donations be brought to the next meeting in April or given to herself or Heidi Pearson. Old Agency 4-H Club out of Choteau is holding a t-shirt drive. Donated t-shirts will be given to an orphanage in need.Boxes for t-shirt drive will be ready by March 20 and will be placed in various locations around Teton County.Mrs. DeBruycker asked that t-shirt donations be brought to the next meeting in April or given to her or Heidi Pearson. We need to clean our area of highway this spring. Looking at mid-May or early June. Date to be set later. Waverly Konen motioned to adjourn the meeting and Ayden DeBruycker seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

After the meeting adjourned, those members participating in Communications Day were able to practice their presentations in front of club members.

Eager Eagles by Taylee Pearson

On April 11th, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. the Eager Eagles 4-H club had a meeting at the New Life Church in Fairfield. Kingston Egbert led the pledges. Nolan Forseth motioned to approve the minutes as written. Annika Konen seconded the motion. The motion proceeded to a vote. The motion passed unanimously. Ayden DeBruycker gave the treasurer’s report. We currently have $952.82 in our checking account and $213.14 in our savings account. There were no reports on cooking, shooting sports, and sewing. There was a livestock meeting on April 7. Kelly DeBruycker gave the Livestock report. They are still working on tying ends up for the fair. They have superintendents solidified for all species. There has been a volunteer to provide a buyer’s appreciation and a possible volunteer to set up Round Robin. Ayden DeBruycker gave the horse report. There will be a horse riding meeting Friday, April 22, at the 406 Arena. There was no report on Rec Lab. There was a meeting for camp on April 7. Nolan Forseth and Madeline Konen gave the report. They are working on a theme for camp and still looking for camp counselors. Reminder that for record books you need at least three goals for the 4-H year and three goals for every project journal. Market animal members start working on your seven activities. Market animal members need to start thinking about how to market their animals. Different options were discussed. Heidi Pearson is working on getting a food truck to the fair as the concession rotation for Eager Eales. We talked about our annual bake sale fundraiser. It was decided to try to have the bake sale during a home baseball game. Kelly DeBruycker will get the baseball schedule and she and Heidi Pearson will work on setting a date. Heidi Pearson thought she may be able to obtain use of the Lions Club enclosed trailer. “Breakfast Baskets” for Major family items need to be turned in by April 25. Old Agency’s t-shirt drive is collecting till the end of April. If you want to drop a 4-H project, do it by the 15th of April. Next beef educational opportunity is May 1, next swine is May 6, goat is May 7, and lamb is May 14. There will be no highway pick up until further notice from the highway department due to construction on highway 408.Lamb and goat possession date is April 18. 4-H Congress is July 11-15. County Fair is June 20- 26. The Horse Show is June 18. Camp is going to be on July 25-29 at Camp Rotary. We have been invited to help make quilts at the LDS Church May 13-14 and 20-21. Mrs. DeBruycker will get more details from Judy Giles and get an email and text out to the club. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at New Life Church in Fairfield. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Nolan Forseth and seconded by Keira Bender.After the meeting adjourned the Eager Eagles club put together 2 dozen Easter eggs as a donation to the Fairfield Easter Egg hunt.

Committee Minutes

Livestock Committee by Kelly DeBruycker

Teton County 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 7, 2022

New Life Church in Fairfield

(Written by Kelly DeBruycker in Katie Egbert’s absence)

The Teton County 4-H Livestock Committee meeting was called to order by president, Ashle Morris, at 6:12 p.m. at the New Life Church in Fairfield. Those present at meeting included: Clayton Forseth, Ayden DeBruycker, Ryan DeBruycker, Katie Morris, Ashle Morris, Alexis Morris, Brent Roeder, Kelly DeBruycker, Jane Wolery, and Kwin Briscoe. The 4-H and American pledges were led by Kwin Briscoe.

Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting in March were read aloud by Jane Wolery. Clayton Forseth made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Ryan DeBruycker seconded the motion. The motion proceeded to a vote. The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Report: Given by Treasurer, Ryan DeBruycker. There were no checks written or deposits made.

Checking: $12,487.59

Ayden DeBruycker made a motion to file the treasurer’s report as presented.Alexis Morris seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously.

Reports:

Market Beef 21

Market Goat Goat 3

Beef Breeding 7 (4-5 to show)

Dairy Goat 2

Market Sheep 3

Market Swine 39

Breeding Sheep 1-2

Old Business:

1. Policy Committee (3 adult leaders, 1 junior, & 1 agent)

Leaders: Kelly DeBruycker, Carli Neal, ? will ask Josh DeVos

Junior: Alexis Morris

Agent: Jamie Smith

2. Grievance Committee (2 adult leaders, 1 junior, & 1 agent)

Leaders: Brent Roeder, ? will ask Janelle Tschida

Junior: Addie Pearson

Agent: Jane Wolery

3. Superintendents: (Certified Volunteers)

Swine (2-3): Ryan DeBruycker, Doug Ulsh, and Kaare Pearson

Beef (2-3): Ashle Morris, Chelsea Yeager, and Alexis Morris

Lamb/Goat (1): Brent Roeder

4. Vice President position still vacant

There was discussion to leave the position vacant for the 2021-2022 4-H year due to lack of avolunteer.Jane Wolery thought that Lauren Long may be someone we could ask to consider this position next year.

5. To Do List

Ringmen: Ross Fitzgerald, Tim Bruner, Jere Long, and Krista Briscoe

Flat Bed Trailer: Levi Hodgskiss has agreed to let us borrow his again this year.

Skid steer: Bill Hodgskiss will need to be called and asked if we can borrow his for this year.

Schedule Carcass Event: Still need to work on

Benefit for the Mark Major Family

The event is still in the planning stages.  If you are interested in helping with the benefit, please contact Jane at 406-466-2492 or 406-590-2492.

Work You Can Love:  Employment Opportunity!

We are also recruiting for a part-time (32 hours/week) Administrative Assistant.This position serves clients, assists Extension Agents, works with 4-H programs, does bookkeeping and general office tasks and other duties as assigned. Applicant must have computer skills and be customer service oriented. Position open until filled. Applications and complete job description are available at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office and need to be returned to Teton County Extension Office or the Teton County Clerk and Recorder’s office. The completed application may be mailed to PO Box 130, Choteau, MT 59422. Rate of pay will depend on experience. For more information, call 466-2491. Teton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

Needs Assessment

Montana State University Extension is currently gathering feedback from community members to inform and improve resources, programs, and services for Montanans. A needs assessment is being conducted statewide. Take the needs assessment survey.

MSU Extension Agent Jane Wolery invites community members to participate in a survey or in individual interviews in order to hear from as many people as possible. Every postal patron in Teton County should have received a postcard with a QR code that can be scanned with a smart phone and takes you to the survey. The link to the survey is included as well. The postcards contain contact information if citizens want to request a paper copy of the survey to complete.

For questions or information about the survey, please email [email protected] or call 406-466-2492

Teton County 4-H Horse Show

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

Montana 4-H Volunteer Awards

4-H in Teton County is made possible by the great volunteers in our county who provide their time, resources and support to 4-H youth.Montana 4-H recognizes these volunteers through several awards including the Tribute to Volunteer Excellence Award, the Hall of Fame Awards and the Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award.

If you would like to nominate someone for one of these awards, contact the MSU Extension Office in Teton County.Teton County may nominate one person for each category.Applications are due June 1.Find out more about the Montana 4-H volunteer awards.

Apply to Be a State Ambassador Officer

The Montana 4-H State Ambassador program provides opportunities for youth to represent 4-H through leadership and service at the state level. State Ambassadors Officers are a select team of Montana 4-H Ambassadors that have demonstrated leadership in their county 4-H programs, and who are interested in developing and refining skills to teach other 4-H youth about leadership, promotion and service.

 

Applications are due postmarked to the 4-H Center by June 15. The ambassador officer selection process takes place during Pre-Congress events, July 11-12.Find out more about State Ambassador Officers.Apply to be an Ambassador Officer.

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

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