On the Horizon

March 4

  • Council Meeting, Monday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Courthouse Conference Room, Choteau

March 16

  • Cavaletti Training, Saturday, 9-noon, 406 Arena, Vaughn

March TBA

  • Camp Counselor Planning Meeting

March 29

  • Registration Due for Teton County Comunications Day, Friday, Extension Office

April 1

  • Livestock Committee Meeting, Monday, 6-7 p.m., New Life Church, Fairfield

April 9

  • Swine Possession Deadline, Tuesday, 5:00 pm, Teton County Extension Office

April 15

  • Dues and 1% Deadline, Monday, 5:00 pm, Teton County Extension Office

April 16

  • Lamb/Goat Possession Deadline, Tuesday, 5:00 pm, Teton County Extension Office

Club Dues and 1% Deadline

Invoicing for club dues and 1% was completed in February and sent to club leaders. The deadline for sending payment to the Extension office is April 15, 2024. We have already received payment from the following clubs: Eager Eagles and Prairie Stars. Thank you!

Agent's Corner:  A Peek Into the Mind of a Judge
by Jenn Swanson

On Sunday afternoon, February 25, 2024, 17 of 24 beef project members came to the Weatherbeater to weigh-in their 4-H steers for the Beef Rate of Gain contest and get some pointers on steer handling.Levi Hodgskiss and Justin Paulson (beef superintendents), Ashle Morris (president of the Livestock Committee), and other parents and members were on hand to share wisdom and mentorship.After the weigh in, participants enjoyed hot chocolate and snacks as they listened to guest speaker Mari Morris of Augusta.Mari has extensive show experience as both a beef exhibitor and a livestock judge.She described what judges like to see and why, and shared valuable handling and presentation tips.Beef project member Katie Morris helped out by leading her steer to demonstrate the patterns and show positions that Mari recommends in the ring.Camaraderie was in the air - it was an impressive day all around!Stay tuned for similar events with the lamb/goat and the swine project superintendents and members this spring.

Agent Corner:  2024 Communication's Day
by Shelby Jones-Dozier

The Teton County Communication’s Day event is just around the corner!On Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Choteau Baptist Church, Teton County’s finest 4-Hers will compete in various events ranging from job interviews, commercial creations, demonstration talks, and even a high-energy cooking competition.New this year will be the Stir-Ups competition that will not only challenge each participant’s cooking skills, but also their ability to create a visually appealing meal and talk about its nutritional value.  Register for Teton County Communications Day. Please contact the Extension Office if you would prefer a paper application. Please register by Friday, March 29, 2024.

The theme for this year’s stir-ups competition will be stir-fry, which is the same for this summer’s competition at Congress.Those interested in participating should begin researching stir-fry recipes that involve five of the following ingredients:

  • Pork
  • Shrimp
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Mandarin Oranges
  • Cabbage
  • Bell Peppers
  • Nuts
  • Quinoa
  • Parsnips
  • Potatoes
  • Oranges

Your cooking and adaptation skills will be put to the test on the competition day- not all the ingredients in the above list will be provided exactly as they are listed.For example, you may want red bell peppers and be provided with green.You may want red quinoa and be provided with tricolor.The fun of this competition is the adaptation to the foods provided.A special meeting will be held for those who want to participate in stir-ups to learn more about the event and answer any questions you may have.

Meet Your 4-H Ambassadors

Teton County 4H Ambassador Photo

My name is Grace Toeckes and I'm a sophomore at Power High School.
Over the years I have raised pigs, cooked a lot, and had a lot of great
experiences at 4-H congress and our county 4-H camp. I loved being
a counselor at camp last year and can't wait to lead in more ways.
Teton County 4-H Ambassador Photo I am Mikayla Toeckes and this is my tenth year in 4-H. I am currently a junior attending school in Power. Throughout my 4-H years I have participated in many projects including sewing, photography, interior design, and market swine. I have also participated in 4-H camp both as an attendee and a counselor. My time in 4-H has yielded many important experiences and introduced me to many supportive friends and adults. I have grown in social skills, public speaking, teamwork, organization, problem solving, and had a lot of fun in the process. I am excited this year for this opportunity as a 4-H Ambassador to continue meeting new people and improving my skills.
Teton County 4H Ambassador Photo Hi! My name is Waverly Konen and I am excited for my first year as an ambassador! This year my 4-H projects are cooking/baking and leather. My all-time favorite part of 4-H is 4-H camp, where I have attended as a camper three times and as a counselor once. 4-H has helped me learn to step up and be a leader, be self-motivated and has given me valuable public speaking experiences. On top of all of that I have gotten to meet some very cool people and have been in some neat experiences I would not be in otherwise. Working alongside this great team of ambassadors and Teton county 4-Hers is something that I am looking forward to!

Club Commotion

4H Members Making Fleece Blankets



It takes a village.Some cozy blankets can now comfort foster kids in the area.
Thank you to the many people involved from our community!

Tracie Roeder donated a bunch of her mom’s, Gloria Helen Bernardini Roark,
fleece material to the 4-Hers in Spring Creek 4-H Club!

Spring Creek 4-H Club knew after a quick vote that they wanted to use the
material to make blankets for foster kids in the area.
4H Members Donating Blankets to CASA


The material was brought to the Skyline lodge and a few caring people cut the
edges so it was ready to be tied.Thank you to Roy and Gayle Snyder, Betty Clark, and
long time 4-Her Gerry Smith for cutting all the strips!

The material then traveled back to Spring Creek 4-H Club members where they
tied the material into five big beautiful blankets. They were delighted to deliver
them to Kiersta Sullivan the supervisor of CASA for this area. It’s always a beautiful
thing when the whole community works together!! by
Rose Carlson
4H Member Practices Pulling a Calf



Hayden Hodgskiss, a member of Old Agency 4-H Club, practices pulling a
calf at the Calving and Cow-Calf Nutrition Workshop, February 12, 2024.
Also pictured are “Stella” the flexible plastic mother cow and Katie Rein, DVM.

2024 4-H Club Rotation

2024 4-H Club Rotations
Club
Rotation
Club Rotation Description
Challenging Champs
Meat and Greet
  • The Meat and Greet is our buyer appreciation event.It takes place on Saturday June 29, 2024, from 5 to 6:30 pm, in the Weatherbeater Arena
  • Your club will set up, serve food, and clean up after the event.Available club members should be divided into two teams:
    • 4-6 p.m.Setup for the event and serve food
    • 5-7 p.m.Serve food and clean up after the event
  • Your club has the option of selling baked goods as a club fundraiser, during Fair
Old Agency
Fair Project Display
  • Projects are displayed, and decorations are put up immediately following interview judging
    • Please wait to begin until all interview judging is complete
  • Clubs decide how to best exhibit fair entries (can be by club, by project type, etc.)
    • A champions area is generally created to display the exhibits that were ranked as rosette and division winners
  • The office will supply tablecloths, easels, risers, magnets/pipes, etc.
  • No tape, nails, staples, etc. can be used on the Pavilion walls
Spring Creek
Fair Cleaning at Pavilion
  • Clubs cleaning the Pavilion following the fair may either do so on Saturday night or on Sunday following the fair and should communicate their plan with the Extension agents
  • A cleaning list will be supplied with specific details for both cleaning the Pavilion and organizing 4-H/Extension supplies
  • Depending on the number of people who assist, this assignment will take 2-4 hours

Eager Eagles
Prairie Stars
Fair Facilities Management
and Greeter Scheduling
  • Arrange Pavilion greeters (work with Extension to determine schedule)
  • Plan and provide hospitality for judges at Pavilion during interview judging
    • Work with Extension to arrange budget/payment/times
    • Hospitality for judges varies depending on the time of judging
      • Could include a light snack (bars, fruit) and water or a light meal
  • Manage the physical facilities at the Weatherbeater and Pavilion 
    • Daily loading of paper towels, soap, toilet paper, dumping garbage, sweeping off bleachers, keeping areas clean and tidy, cleaning cement pad
    • Water spray bottles should be used to keep dust down
    • Managing inside and outside areas for cleanliness, safety, traffic, etc.   
      • Safety announcements can be made prior to and during the fair 

Eager Eagles 
Prairie Stars
Camp Rotary Cleaning
  • The Rotarians set the date for cleaning at Camp Rotary
    • As a user of Camp Rotary, Teton County is expected to participate
  • The Extension Office will forward information as it is received about the cleaning event
  • This assignment generally requires a smaller group of people with 4-10 able to complete the task
    • It is best to take gloves (cleaning and work), buckets, and rags.
    • Wear comfortable shoes and cleaning clothes.

Cavaletti Training for Horse Project Members

Shelby Strutz is an accomplished English rider and jumper. She owns a canvas shop, comes from a cowboy family, and is a graduated 4-Her. She is very down to earth and easy to be around. Shelby is offering a cavaletti training (featuring ground poles and very low jumps) on March 16, 2024, from 9 am-12 noon, at the 406 Arena outside Vaughn. Cavaletti time for 4-H members specifically will be from 9-10:30 am. Adults and 4-H horse project members are welcome to ride the entire time. Shelby is not charging for this training but, arena fees apply. Please let Kate Banner know if you will attend 406-264-5124.

If you would like to get more information about events for the Teton County 4-H Horse Project, please contact Kate Banner at 406-264-5124 to get an invite to get on the notification called Band app.

Montana 4-H Volunteer Awards

4-H is made possible through the outstanding support of adults who provide their time, resources and support to improve the lives of Montana 4-H youth and strive to constantly make the best better. Through the following award categories, Montana 4-H recognizes outstanding contributions of volunteer leaders, staff and alumni at the county and state levels.  The three adult awards are Tribute to Volunteer Excellence, Hall of Fame and Outstanding 4-H Alumni.Find out more about these awards. All awards are presented at the Montana 4-H Leadership Forum in the fall or another statewide event.Nomination Guidelines: Each county may nominate one individual for each category to be considered for awards.  Nominees may qualify for more than one category.  Priority consideration will be given to volunteers who have not received a statewide award within the last five years. Nominations are due May 1.If you would like to nominate a volunteer, please contact the Extenison Office.

Montana 4-H State Awards

The Montana 4-H State Awards program recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of 4-H members whoreach a standard of excellence in a project area. State Award winners go above and beyond regular project work with a focus on leadership, communication and community service. Winners are eligible to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. The out-of-pocket costs for Teton County 4-H members has been around $300 for the week of National 4-H Congress. The timeline below will help those who plan to apply for state awards in 2023-2024. Much of the process is self-directed.

December:

• Download state award application from Montana 4-H website

• Spend 3-6 hours completing written work – add information based on your own record books, Teton County 4-H newsletters which are posted online, club leader information

• Have your application reviewed by your family members and your club leader

• Look up “verbs for resumes” or “adjectives for resumes” to find powerful words to use as you describe your 4-H work

January:

• By mid-January, please submit your first draft of your written work to the Extension Office for editing and suggestions

• Start working on your creative work – which can be in a variety of formats including a newspaper publication, quilt, scrapbook, video or slide show

• Set aside up to 10 hours in January to work on your creative project

February:

• Schedule an appointment with Extension Office. Discuss corrections needed for written application and brainstorm/plan for creative work

• Make corrections as needed on your written work

• Set aside at least 5 hours this month to work on your award package

March:

• Submit a copy of your creative work and corrected written work to the Extension Office

• Schedule 2-3 hours to work with the office, if you need assistance with technology, writing, etc.

• Complete creative project, as much as possible

April:

• Schedule 2 hours with the Extension Office to review your work

• Make recommended changes in your project

• Have application completed, packaged professionally, signed and delivered to MSU bydeadline specified in application

• Be prepared to spend the hours needed this month to complete your creative project

See more information at the state website

MSU Extension Teton County

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