4-H Newsletter October 2023

National 4-H Week Celebration

Let’s get together the evening of October 3, 2023, to celebrate 4-H! We have reserved the Pavilion in Choteau. Please see list of activities later in the newsletter. Looking forward to seeing EVERYONE!

Agent's Corner from Jenn and Shelby

Read the latest from Shelby and Jenn later in the newsletter.

Teton County 4-H Year

Teton County 4-H calendar can be found later in the newsletter and referred to throughout the year.

Record Book Quality Judging Results

Congratulations to purple ribbons winners.  See results later in the newsletter.

The Next 31

October 1-December 1

• Enrollment and Re-enrollment on going, Zsuite and extension office

October 22

• District 3 Make It With Wool Contest, Sunday, Fort Benton
  

October 1-31

• Club Treasurers Books Due at Extension Office

November 6

• 4-H Council Meeting, 6 p.m., Teton County Courthouse Conference Room, Choteau

4-H Celebrates

Earlier this month, in honor of National 4-H Week, Teton County 4-H hosted an open house at the Choteau Pavilion.A larger-than-expected crowd of 117 prospective and current members enjoyed a tasty taco buffet catered by Copper Creek Coffee, with the youth migrating outdoors to the City Park Bandshell to enjoy s’mores and dancing.

During the casual supper, Jenn and Shelby shared information with the crowd abouthow 4-H got started, how it works, and the many opportunities to learn life skills that are available.Local club leaders, livestock superintendents, and 4-H project leaders greeted interested families and answered questions, with the wisdom of experience.4-H families are special: after any event they jump in and help clean up without being asked.Many thanks to Jamie, JoAnn, the Snyders, the Lobdells, the Paulsons, the Konens, and anyone else I might have missed listing by name!

We were flattered and blessed by the presence of two long-time 4-H supporters who are still passionate about 4-H: Gerry Smith (with 74 years of total participation as a member and volunteer) and Jack Ward (with a lifetime of experience teaching small animal husbandry to 4-H youth.)Both remain active volunteers and have offered their time for upcoming events.

The Extension agents’ presentations included formally announcing three local volunteers who earned awards at the state level.(Truth be told, Teton County swept the Montana 4-H Volunteer awards in 2023!)Brian Bedord earned the 4-H Hall of Fame Volunteer award for the outstanding accomplishments of his shooting sports members at the state and national level.Susan Snyder earned the Outstanding 4-H Alumnus award for dedicated service that started as a 4-H youth member and continued uninterrupted as a 4-H parent, local club leader, and leader of lamb projects, baking projects, bird house projects, and more.Her current club co-leader, Jo Lynn Miller, wrote a moving tribute to Susan.Marla Holmquist received 4-H Lifetime Volunteer award for a long and illustrious career as the 4-H Camp director, and years of service as a club leader.Salina deVos was not able to be at Tuesday’s celebration, but definitely deserved her 4-H Volunteer of the Year award for outstanding contributions to the Teton County 4-H Horse Club.4-H youth members Bryce Bedord (son of Brian and Lisa Bedord) and Ayden DeBruycker (daughter of Ryan and Kelly DeBruycker) were recognized for national-level achievements – Bryce for being a national champion in 4-H shooting sports, and Ayden for being invited to compete at the National 4-H Congress after winning top honors at the Montana 4-H Congress in Bozeman in July.A big thanks to all who attended and made this recruiting event a big success!

Thank You Teton County Certified 4-H Volunteers

Teton County is grateful to the following volunteers for enriching the lives of local youth:

One Year

Kwin Briscoe

Jennifer Laisnez

Jon Redland

Misti Redland

Chris Tacke

Loren Tacke

Two Years

Janelle Campbell

Melissa DeBruycker

Ryan DeBruycker

Luke Diekhans

Coy Egbert

Katie Egbert

Loraine Meyer

Jane Wolery

Three Years

Kristen Martinez

Carli Neal

Heidi Pearson

Chelsee Yeager

Four Years

Laura Toeckes

Five Years

Kelsy Diekhans

Six Years

Kelly DeBruycker

Jason Gibson

Andrew Watson

Seven Years

Leane Hodgskiss

Hillary Killorn

Lauren Long

Eight Years

Kate Banner

Todd Banner

Ashle Morris

Nine Years

Rachel Christensen

Salina deVos

Laura Toeckes

11 Years

Lynda Allen

12 Years

Marla Holmquist

Cari Ostberg

Stephen Ostberg

13 Years

Susan Snyder

14 Years

Fred Ginther

Heidi Konen

Carolyn Major

Jo Lynn Miller

Alan Peace

15 Years

Brian Bedord

Lisa Bedord

Cathy Maurer

Brent Roeder

19 Years

Doug Ulsh

21 Years

Cathy Campbell

33 Years

Linda J Rice

37 Years

Leona Somerfeld

46 Years

Deanna Burgmaier

Agents' Corner

Jenn Swanson

Do you have a burning desire to learn more about something?I got to wondering about what happens when a    4-H member has a spark but can't find a corresponding project in the Clover manual.As it turns out, 4-H has a way for agents and kids to develop an individualized curriculum.If you find yourself in this situation, give me a call and we'll chat!Here are two opportunities that come to my mind. First, if any members are interested in a hospitality career, they might be interested in a 4-H Hospitality Project that would include learning about catering, cake decorating, decor, and flower arranging.These members would play a key role in putting on the Fair Meat and Greet, and the event itself would be the culminating project (which looks great on your resume!)Secondly, any gear-heads out there (especially if you love old tractors) should talk to me about a Mechanics Projects with our local Teton Antique Steam and Gas Association (TASGA).(TASGA puts on the annual threshing bee in Choteau each Fall.)There are a handful of senior mechanics in that group who'd really like to pass on their skills!

Shelby Jones-Dozier

New Communications Day Competition Category Added

I want to sincerely thank everyone who attended our 4-H week new family event on October 3.It was fantastic to grow our 4-H community and have current members mix and mingle with new families.October marks the new 4-H year and as I look forward to the months to come, I would like to share how Communications Day will be different for the 2024 season. Communications Day is typically in March and is open to all 4-H members, regardless of age. This is an event where 4-Hers can practice their oral presentation skills through Illustrated Talks, Demonstrations, and Career Communications, among others.Those who receive a blue ribbon or above, and are 4-H age 13 and older, are eligible to compete at the state level during Montana 4-H Congress, which is held on the MSU campus in July.This year, Stir-Ups, similar to the TV cooking show Chopped, and a popular competition that is held annually at the state 4-H Congress, will be included as a part of Teton County Communications Day.Stir-Ups is a cooking competition where participants are given a type of dish to prepare, for example a salad, and a list of potential ingredients that will be available.Prior to the event, participants research different recipes they would like to try and learn about the history of the ingredients and the nutritional content. On the day of the event, the participants are given a list of available ingredients, and they must make on the spot modifications based on what is available.The cooking process is timed and when time is up the final product is judged.The information participants researched before the event is very helpful when talking to judges about the food that was prepared.In addition to providing 4-Hers with a new county level competition, this event will also provide food for Communications Day participants and their families.

For the Good of the Order

Sign Up!

The new 4-H year began on Oct 1, 2023 and runs through Sep 30, 2024.New members may enroll at any time throughout the year.Re-enrollment is what returning 4-Hers do.Remember, all members - new and returning - need to select a club and at least one project to pursue throughout the year.All projects are accompanied by a record book to record goals, reflect on challenges and progress, and keep track of expenses.

Here is some important information about re-enrollment.

Members who re-enroll before Dec 1, 2023:

• Avoid a late fee of $25
• Can sign up for committees
• Get project manuals for free, ordered by the office
• Receive informational communications from the office

Returning members who re-enroll after Dec 1, 2023:

• Are still very welcome!
• Must pay for their own project manuals
• Pay a late fee of $25
• Cannot join a committee this year
• Will miss important communications from the office

The 4-H member, or their club, must pay their dues before the member is considered “active.”

Record Book Quality Judging Results

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.

Congratulations to those awarded purple ribbons!

Senior Division - Leah Paulson, Nick Miller, Bryce Bedord, Waverly Konen and Ayden DeBruycker

Junior Division - Anna Paulson, Annika Konen, and Nolan DeBruycker

Pre-junior Division - Bryden Bradley, Audrey Lobdell, Hannah Meyer, Mesa Redland, Knox Pearson, Natalie DeBruycker and Sawyer Scott

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.

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.

2024    June 24-30
2025    June 24-29
2026    June 22-28

Camp Dates

2024   July 22-26

4-H Congress Dates, Bozeman

2024   July 9-12

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

Agents:

Shelby Jones-Dozier [email protected]
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