New 4-H Year!

October 1 marks the beginning of a new 4-H year, so happy new year to all our 4-H members! Re-enrollment begins on this day as well on ZSuite. If you have any questions about re-enrollment, please contact Jamie at the Extension Office (466-2491), text (only) at 406-350-5373 or email [email protected]

National 4-H Week 

National 4-H Week is October 2-8, 2022. The national theme this year is "Opportunity for All," focusing on all the ways kids turn challenges into opportunities through Montana 4-H.

Clover Academy Volunteer Training

The new volunteer training modules will be available for the new 4-H year and accessible through ZSuite. A Help Sheet and more information will be available soon.

Welcome, JoAnn McDowell!

We would like to welcome JoAnn McDowell to the MSU Extension Teton County Office.She has been hired as an administrative assistant.We are excited to have her on the team!

The Next 31 and beyond...

October 1

  • 4-H Enrollment Begins
  • Entry forms for MIWW are due to directors.  No late entries accepted.

October 1-31

  • All treasurer's books are due to the Extension Office for auditing

October 4

  • Mandatory Shooting Sports Organizational Meeting at the Rocky MOuntain Rifle Club

October 21-23

  • Fall Ledership training for Teen Leaders and Ambassadors in Great Falls.  Info on page 5.

Thank You Teton County 4-H!

During my 24th consecutive Teton County 4-H Fair, I had the pleasure of working with a new colleague and friend who was less than four months into her service as an MSU Extension Agent.She is probably the youngest hire on record, having started at age 20.When I arrived in Teton County, I was 30 years old, had taught and been a school counselor for five years and had been an Extension Educator in Sheridan, Wyoming for nearly three years.

While we were working on fair details and preparations, the younger Extension professional finally let us know that she needed to stop and get something to eat.I decided to invite my husband to eat with us at a local restaurant.During our meal, she asked, “When does working for Extension get good?”I was grateful for the question because it meant (presumably by watching us) she realized that it did get good.Interestingly, while I was still thinking, it was my husband who answered.He said, “It gets good when you start changing people’s lives.” My husband has played an extremely supportive role, as have my daughters, in my Extension career.

After supper, while I was back working on the fair, I thought about the conversation, how my husband answered, and how I might have answered.I thought in many ways he was right – it does get good when you start changing people’s lives.As I reflected further, my mind shuffled through so many 4-H members, Extension and 4-H events, families, and people.I realized that while it is good when you start changing people’s lives, it gets even better when they start changing yours.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for the many ways serving as an Extension agent has enriched my life, for the cherished memories, and the wonderful friendships.Thank you for making my life better, and for the positive influences you’ve had on my entire family.

It is because of the amazing Extension and 4-H impacts I have experienced in Teton County that I am now able to serve in my new position with the Montana 4-H Foundation sharing the value of 4-H and seeking those who want to invest in that value for Montana youth and communities.

Jane Wolery, 4-H Foundation Executive Director

For the Good of the Order

Sign Up!

Re-enrollment for 4-H will begin October 1 on ZSuite.Club leader(s) will have Clover Selection projectguides for members to get more information on projects. The deadline for re-enrollment is December 1.

When 4-H youth re-enroll before December 1:

  • Project books will be ordered for you by the office.
    • The first project book order will be placed in late October.
    • A second project book order will be placed in December.
  • Project books will be paid by 4-H Council.
  • You can sign up for and participate in committees.
  • You will receive information from the MSU Extension Office in Teton County.

IF you re-enroll after December 1 you:

  • must complete a variance request form stating why you were unable to re-enroll by December 1
  • are responsible for ordering and paying for your own project books
  • are ineligible to serve on 4-H committees
  • must pay a $25 per member late fee
  • will not receive any correspondence from MSU Extension Teton County until you are re-enrolled
  • Dues must be paid before members are considered active in 4-H and receive the benefits listed above.

Your club dues must be paid before you are active and ceive the above benefits.

Need Accommodations?

4-H strives to meet our members at their own levels of interest, capacity and capability.If a 4-H member requires accommodations – ranging from food allergies to wheelchair accessibility to sign language interpreters and more – we will gladly try to make those accommodations. We rely upon the members and their families to request these accommodations. To make such a request, please do so in writing or verbally and let us know that you or your child needs accommodations. We are happy to work with you to adapt the 4-H program to fit your needs.

We Welcome All

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 regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, citizenship, and marital or family status. 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.

No Toasting

We know that sometimes in our rural communities, our 4-H clubs, volunteers and members find themselves in places where alcohol is served – hotels, restaurants, weddings, bowling alley, ski lodge, etc. We realize that on other occasions adults may enjoy an alcoholic beverage in these locations, but we want to remind adults that when at a 4-H event, it is inappropriate to purchase, consume or have consumed alcohol. If adults are at an event and will be working with 4-H youth in an official capacity they must refrain from alcohol consumption.

Fire Up! Shooting Sports Meeting

Rocky Mountain Top Shots will be having a pistol and rifle organizational meeting Tuesday, October 4 at 7 pm at the Rocky Mountain Rifle Club outside of Fairfield. This meeting is MANDATORY for pistol and rifle members and their parent(s).For more information, or if attending presents a problem for your family, please contact Brian Bedord prior to October 4.Contact Brian at 406-590-9092.

Fall Leadership Training

Join us for the 2022 Fall Leadership Training! There will be activities that will help 4-H member and volunteers from across the state meet people and access resources that will help them reach their leadership goals.Fall Training is the annual leadership development retreat for Montana 4-H Ambassadors and Teen Leaders. The event is planned, implemented, and evaluated by the State Ambassador Officer Team. Youth will leave the weekend prepared and excited to take the knowledge and skills they have gained and apply them in their counties.

Event Dates: Friday October 21- Sunday October 23, 2022, in Great Falls

State Registration Deadline is October 11, 2022.

 

Register on ZSuite

Leadership Academy:  Online Workshops

Join the Montana 4-H Leadership Academy workshop on Sunday afternoons from 3-4 p.m. in 2022 and 2023. The leadership academy is a network of Montana 4-H members ages 12 and up who are interested in exploring and developing their own leadership skills while serving their county 4-H program in new ways.

 

Local county leadership groups will have an opportunity to join with groups from around the state as well as the Montana 4-H Ambassador Officer team, virtually and in person when possible, to work on skill building, planning and mentorship.

 

Each month the officer team members will be presenting a different workshop topic that they have found to be important as they have grown their own leadership abilities. This workshop should be paired with a local county leadership meeting to work on county projects that serve the local 4-H program and community.

 

County Leadership groups should plan to meet face to face whenever possible and engage in the virtual state wide workshop together.This time can be viewed as a leadership club meeting. County ambassadors can aid in planning and facilitating these local workshop meetings. The agenda is currently being planned.Zoom links for each workshop session will be emailed to county extension offices and can be shared locally.

Register for Leadership Academy

 

Dates & Times

• November 20, 2022 3:00-4:00 PM

• December 11, 2022 3:00-4:00 PM

• January 8, 2023 3:00-4:00 PM

• February 5, 2023 3:00-4:00 PM

• March 5, 2023 3:00-4:00 PM

Thank You, Volunteers!

Our 4-H program is immeasurably enriched by the volunteers who give freely of their time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this gift!!

One Year

Janelle Campbell

Melissa DeBruycker

Ryan DeBruycker

Luke Diekhans

Coy Egbert

Katie Egbert

Holly Hamilton

Ronald Hinman

Sharla Hinman

JoAnn McDowell

Loraine Meyer

Ryan Pfeifle

Rebecca Ratzburg

Stephanie Tacke

Jane Wolery

Stacy Woodhouse

Two Years

Brian Larson

Kristen Martinez

Haven Murphy

Carli Neal

Heidi Pearson

Chelsee Yeager

Three Years

Laura Toeckes

Four Years

Josh deVos

Kelsy Diekhans

Five Years

Samantha Brooks

Kelly DeBruycker

Jason Gibson

Andy Watson

Six Years

Leane Hodgskiss

Hillary Killorn

Laruen Long

Christina Stewart

Seven Years

Kate Banner

Todd Banner

Ashle Morris

Becky Preston

Eight Years

Rachel Christensen

Salina deVos

Laura Toeckes

10 Years

Lynda Allen

11 Years

Clayton Forseth 

Marla Holmquist

Cari Ostberg

Stephen Ostberg

12 Years

Jason Asselstine

Jennifer Asselstine

Susan Snyder

13 Years

Darren Beadle

Fred Ginther

Heidi Konen

Michael Konen

Carolyn Major

Jo Lynn Miller

Alan Peace

14 Years

Brian Bedord 

Lisa Bedord

Cathy Maurer

Brent Roeder

17 Years

Dusty Crary

18 Years

Danelle Crary

Doug Ulsh

19 Years

Tammy Townsend

20 Years

Cathy Campbell

25 Years

Cynthia Rice

26 Years

Kayla Breen

32 Years

Linda Rice

36 Years

Leona Somerfeld

45 Years

Deanna Burgmaier

Montana Make It With Wool Contest Information

It is time to start preparing for the Make It With Wool contest to be held this fall. Get out your favorite pattern and start hunting for that perfect wool fabric. Wouldn’t it be great to make a wool outfit for the contest this fall and then already have an outfit finished for your sewing project this next 4-H year?

The fabric and/or yarn needs to have a minimum of 60% wool to qualify for MIWW contest. The District 3 contest is October 22, 2022.There is a $7.00 entry fee per swatch of fabric used and wool yarn used. These funds will cover the cost of testing your fabric or yarn for content.

Categories are Preteen (12 and under); Junior (13-16); Senior (17-24); Adult (25 and older); and Made for Others. Contestant ages are determined as of January 1, 2022. First place winners in the Junior, Senior, Adult and Made for Others categories advance to the State competition which will be held during the Montana Wool Growers Convention in Billings, December 2 and 3, 2022.

There is also a Quilt/Applique Project/Afghan Contest this year. The fabric or yarn needs to be at least 60% wool. There is a $10 entry fee and entry forms are due in by October 1, 2022. The quilts, applique projects and afghans need to be mailed to Jean Harrison and postmarked no later than October 15, 2022.Entry forms and brochures are available at MSU Extension Teton County, the Make It With Wool Facebook page or the Montana Woolgrower Association website.

Club Hubbub

Old Agency 4-H Club

Old Agency 4-H Club hosted an Invite a Friend event and made friendship bands.

Congratulations!

Record Books submitted for quality review are judged on eight categories which are assigned points totaling 100. The eight categories are:neatness, effort, organization and order, 4-H involvement, community service/extra activities, project journal/animal record, financial journal and My 4-H year.Those receiving a score of 96 or above in each division are awarded a purple ribbon and a cash award.

Purple Ribbons were awarded to Addi Christensen, Ayden DeBruycker, Nolan DeBruycker, Maili Miller and Nick Miller.

 

The following 4-H members submitted their Record Books for quality review.

Congratulations to everyone who submitted for excellent work!

Seniors:

McCoy Banner, Nick Miller, Maili Miller, Leah Paulson

Juniors:

Avery Banner, Addi Christensen, Ayden DeBruycker, Waverly Konen

Pre-Juniors:

Ariana Banner, Natalie DeBruycker, Nolan DeBruycker, Audrey Lobdell, Boaz Lytle, Polly Lytle, Anna Paulson, Addy Scott

Animal Resource Manuels

The Extension Office has a variety of animal resource manuals available for check-out.These manuals typically cost over $20 but are available FREE for your use.We have them for many animal projects.Contact us for more information.

 

 

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.

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

Camp Dates

2023   July 24-29

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


Agents:

Jenn Swanson  [email protected]

Assistants:

JoAnn McDowell & 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