Thank You to Outgoing 4-H Council Officers

Thank you to Kwin Briscoe, vice-president and Kelly DeBruycker, secretary, for your service!

Volunteer Opportunities and Training!

Find out more about the training on page 2. Training is ongoing. New volunteers must complete training to become active. We ask that returning volunteers complete training modules as soon as possible.

4-H Council Minutes and Budget

Starting on page 3.

Congratulations Shea and Maggie!

Shea Ostberg and Maggie Toeckes did well at the Make It With Wool District 3 level and move forward to the state competition. See page 10.

2023 Scholarships

Montana 4-H Foundation scholarship application deadline is Tuesday, February 14, 2023. More on page 12. Information about Anne Wiprud and Boe Brothers scholarships will be sent directly to seniors.

2023 Outbound International Exchange Programs for Youth

Montana's application deadline is Saturday, December 31, 2022. Information on page 13.

4-H Citizenship Seminar and Legislative Breakfast

Details on pages 14 and 15.

The Next 31 and beyond...

December 2-3

  • MIWW State Competition at Montana Wool Growers Convention in Billings

December 3

  • Billings Livestock 3rd Annual Judging Contest in Billings, see page 11 for details.

December 5

  • 4-H Livestock Committee meeting Monday 6:30 p.m. NewLife Church, Fairfield.

December 31

  • Application deadline for 2023 Outbound International Exchange Programs for Youth

January 2

  • Deadline for Legislative Breakfast and 4-H Citizenship Seminar sign up

4-H Volunteers

Montana 4-H is excited to launch the Volunteer Orientation Modules for all 4-H volunteers in Montana and host the Volunteer Institute in Billings in 2023. All volunteers must enroll every year to continue to serve as a Montana 4-H Volunteer.

4-H Volunteer Orientation

What is the orientation? The orientation is broken up into 4 modules that are about 15 minutes each. Topics included are positive youth development, basics of 4-H, risk management, impacts of 4-H, and policy & procedure.

 

How do you take the orientation?The orientation can be completed online at your convenience through the ZSuite/Clover Academy platform. Your progress will be saved so you are free to complete it at your own pace. Clover Academy is on the left-hand menu in ZSuite.

 

Why an orientation?Providing training is part of our mission to support our volunteers. Providing an orientation will ensure that all volunteers have a basic understanding of what it means to be a 4-H volunteer in Montana. Across Montana 4-H volunteers have asked for training so they can better serve the youth of 4-H.

 

Is the orientation required? Yes, all volunteers with Montana 4-H will be required to complete the orientation. Returning volunteers will have until the end of the 2022-2023 4-H year to complete the training.

 

Montana 4-H Volunteer Institute

Join us February 17-19 2023, in Billings, MT, for the Montana 4-H Volunteer Institute. Meet other volunteers from across Montana while learning skills to improve your 4-H program in your County. More information to come including a chance to submit a workshop proposal to share your skills with other volunteers.

Thank you for your time and dedication to the youth of 4-H!

4-H Council Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Kelly DeBruycker

Monday, October 24, 2022

Fairfield High School Media Center Fairfield, MT

The Teton County 4-H Council meeting was called to order by Co-Presidents Myles Allen and Presley Holmquist at 6:29 p.m. on Monday October 24, 2022.Attendance in person included: Jenn Swanson, Rachel Christensen, Jamie Smith, JoAnn McDowell, Presley Holmquist, Myles Allen, Kelly DeBruycker, Heidi Konen, Misti Redland, and Lynda Allen.Attending via phone: Carli Neal.The American and 4-H pledges were recited.

Introductions:Jenn Swanson is our new Teton County Ag Agent and JoAnn McDowell is our new administrative assistant in the Extension Office.

Roll Call:Roll call was taken by secretary, Kelly DeBruycker.Voting members were established as follows.

Teton County 4-H Council Voting Members

1 Co-President:Presley HolmquistTreasurer:Rachel Christensen

Secretary:Kelly DeBruyckerVice President:Not present

Club Voting Members

Challenging Champs: NoneEager Eagles:Heidi Konen

Old Agency:Misti RedlandPrairie Stars: Lynda Allen

Spring Creek: NoneTop Shots:None

Horse Club: None

Presentations: None

Minutes:The minutes from Monday March 7, 2022, were read by secretary, Kelly DeBruycker.There was no discussion and no changes suggested.Rachel Christensen moved to approve the minutes as presented.Misti Redland seconded the motion.There was no discussion.The motion proceeded to a vote.The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report:Rachel Christiansen gave the treasurer’s report.

Checking account:$42,827.61

Savings account:$25,612.64

Lynda Allen moved to approve the treasurer’s report.Jenn Swanson seconded the motion.There was no discussion.The motion proceeded to a vote.The motion passed unanimously.

Correspondence & Announcements: (Report by Jenn Swanson and Jamie Smith)

A letter and donation were received from Billy Lou Arnott (Susan Snyder’s mother).The money is earmarked for an educational trip by a 4-H member to Washington DC.A thank you card was received from Amara Bodkins for her receipt of the Boe Brothers scholarship.

 

Committee Reports:

Livestock: (Report by Kelly DeBruycker) Their first meeting will be Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

Horse: (Report by Jenn Swanson) Their first meeting was scheduled for Sunday, October 23, 2022, and was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Budget & Audit: (Report by Rachel Christensen) The committee met to organize preliminary numbers for the proposed 2022-2023 budget.Rachel Christensen will reach out to Diane Gollehon to audit the Teton County 4-H Council books for this year.The budget and audit committee will review items of difference in the near future.

Fair:No report

Textile:No report

Communications:No report

Record Books: (Report by Jamie Smith) There were a good number of record books (about 10-15) submitted for quality this year.The results were posted in the newsletter.Seventy-five percent of Teton County 4-H member record books were considered “complete” for the 2021-2022 4-H year.

Exchange: (Report by Lynda Allen) We had an exchange student from Japan this year that stayed with the Kaare & Heidi Pearson family.His name was Yuto, and he was 12 turning 13 years old.He had a very positive experience in Montana and especially at 4-H Camp.Lynda was very pleased with how great our 4-H members were about making him feel welcome.

Awards:No report

 

Old Business:

1. Awards Sub Committee

At the 4-H Council meeting on Monday, March 7, 2022, Jane Wolery reported that the Awards Committee wanted to propose an awards change.The change was then sent to the Budget and Audit Committee.The Budget and Audit Committee decided that a subcommittee made up of 4-H Council, livestock members, and a wide range of 4-H members and volunteers should be formed to develop the process on changes to the awards and premiums received at the Pavilion and at the Weatherbeater.At the 4-H Council meeting on March 7, 2022, it was decided that since we were so close to the 2021-2022 4-H Fair there would not be ample time to make any major changes to awards.Therefore, the discussion on changing awards would be tabled until the first 4-H Council meeting in the fall of 2022.The original proposal was to increase ribbon premiums to $5 for blue, $3 for red, and $2 for white. (Currently the premiums are $3 for blue, $2 for red, and $1 for white) The request also asked to increase the rosette premium by $10 which would increase the total rosette premium from $25 to $35.At the time there was concerns about budget sustainability and concerns that market livestock project members are already getting premiums via the sale of their animals at the Weatherbeater.

Tonight there was further discussion about the need to have the perspective and representation from livestock members, textile/static exhibit members, and those who participate in both aspects of the 4-H Fair.There is still concern over the sustainability of awards within the budget.Jamie Smith noted that Teton County has been downin exhibits at the Pavilion.The average pavilion exhibits pre-Covid were 900-1000.Post-Covid the exhibit numbers were down to 600.The award budget for 2021-2022 was $2, 475.00.A conservative estimate of the additional costs of changing the awards to the above stated would be about $1,500.00.There was discussion that the budget could sustain the increase in ribbon premiums if the rosette premiums were left the same at $25.There is also confusion about the receipt of rosettes at the Pavilion.Jamie Smith clarified the process stating that currently only division winners at the pavilion receive the $25 rosette premium award.Those who win top of their classes receive a rosette ribbon, but not the premium $25 award.It was suggested that class winner rosettes at the pavilion receive a $10 premium award and division winners continue to receive the $25 premium as the top award.Heidi Konen asked if livestock members at the Weatherbeater receive premiums for their blue, red, or white ribbons.Jamie Smith stated that they do not.Jenn Swanson stated that she did not feel it was necessary to form a subcommittee to make this decision.She made a motion to increase the premiums for ribbons as follows:$5 for blue, $3 for red, and $2 for white.We will add a $10 premium received for all class rosette winners at the Pavilion.Division winners at the Pavilion will continue to receive a $25 premium for the top award.Rosette winners at the Weatherbeater for livestock will also continue to receive the $25 premium for top award.Misti Redland seconded the motion.There was no further discussion.The motion proceeded to a vote.The motion passed unanimously.

New Business:

1. Election of new officers for Vice-President and Secretary

Vice-President:A nomination for Waverly Konen was made and accepted.No other nominations were brought forward.Rachel Christensen moved that Waverly Konen be elected as the next Teton County 4-H Council Vice-President by acclimation.Jenn Swanson seconded the motion.There was no further discussion.The motion proceeded to a vote.The motion passed unanimously.Waverly Konen will replace outgoing Vice-President Kwin Briscoe.

Secretary:Nominations were made and accepted by Misti Redland, Melissa DeBruycker and Heidi Konen.A secret ballot was passed around to all in attendance.The ballots were counted by Co-Presidents Presley Holmquist and Myles Allen.Misti Redland was elected the new Teton County 4-H Council Secretary by popular vote.Misti Redland will replace outgoing secretary Kelly DeBruycker.

2. Action As Needed Based On Committee Reports

See Old Business awards discussion above.

3. Fair Meat and Greet

Last year 4-H Council donated $1200 toward the Meat and Greet ($600 from 4-H Council and $600 from a private donor).Jenn Swanson volunteered to chair a separate hospitality project committee to take the previous responsibility off the livestock members and their families.This would be a committee made up of 4-H and or community members interested in hospitality and catering.All present at the meeting would like to see the buyer’s appreciation continue as part of Teton County 4-H tradition.It is important to thank livestock buyers for their generosity.Jenn was brainstorming ideas of heavy appetizers, a tent, photos of members and past buyers etc.If 4-H members were interested in this project, they would consider it a “self-determined” project and keep a record book like all other 4-H record books.Everyone present at the meeting agreed that this was a great idea.Jenn Swanson will continue to organize this event.

4. 4-H Enrollment

New Members: (Report by Jamie Smith)

We have new members joining Teton County 4-H.However, we are still at the beginning of enrollment and will know more solid numbers after December 1.

New Volunteer/Project Leader Needs: (Report by Jamie Smith)

There is a new requirement set by MSU for new/previous volunteers and project leaders.They are requiring four, fifteen-minute leadership modules to be viewed.Current volunteers and project leaders will get an email requiring them to view as well.This will be a one-time requirement.

5. Communications Day (Report by Heidi Konen)

Communications Day will be set for Saturday, March 18, 2023. Location to be determined.

 

The next Teton County 4-H Council meeting will be the first week in February 2023.Place and time to be determined.

 

Jenn Swanson made a motion to adjourn the meeting.Rachel Christensen seconded the motion.The motion proceeded to a vote.The motion passed unanimously.The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

Proposed 4-H Council Budget  2022-2023

Please contact the office for more information.

Club Hubbub

Old Agency

On November 13, 2022, the Old Agency 4-H Club met in the Choteau Schools Cafeteria. Holter Smith led the American pledge and Mesa Redland led the 4-H pledge. Twenty-five members were present and the roll call question was “What is one thing you want for Christmas?” Addison Christensen read the secretary’s report. Natalie DeBruyker moved the secretary’s report as read and Charlie Long seconded it. Natalie Hodgkiss then read the treasurer’s report in which the balance was 3,793.54. Brody Hodgkiss moved and Hayden Hodgkiss seconded the treasurer’s report as read.

Old Business

4-H enrollment began on October 1 and will end on December 1.

Our club will be paying our dues this year.

Trent Taylor reported on some things that they taught in the dog class at the Weatherbeater. He reported it was fun and said, “They taught us how to train the dogs to sit and stuff.”

Natalie Hodgkiss reported that making pillowcases for CASA went well and that the participants made 10 pillowcases altogether.

New Business

We made it known to members who wished to participate that the Choteau Lions Club needed volunteers for the Thanksgiving meal provided at the school.

The club decided to get 4 Caring Tree tags, on which we will spend $50 each. Hayden Hodgkiss moved and Mesa Redland seconded to buying this amount of tags and spending this amount on each. The club also decided to meet in front of the Roxy Theater after the Christmas Stroll movie.

We decided to hold our Christmas party at the bowling alley and to do a white elephant. Izzy Cornelius moved and Seeley Neal seconded this location and activity.

Our club decided to go Christmas caroling and that members can bring friends outside of the club if they wish.

Carli implemented a new record book process where all members of the club will fill out a paper copy of their record book forms for a few minutes at each meeting.

On December 5, there will be a livestock committee meeting.

Grant Hodgkiss moved to adjourn the meeting and Kale Gunderson seconded it.

Meeting adjourned.

After the meeting club members tied blankets for CASA. Members also attended a 45-minute presentation about falcons and other birds of prey on the school playground and field area.

Challenging Champs

Challenging Champs held a Trunk or Treat in the town of Power on Sunday, November 6, 2022. They collected 299 pounds of food to donate to the Teton County Food Pantry!

Congratulations!

Shea Ostberg and Maggie Toeckes competed in the District Make it With Wool event in Fort Benton on October 22.

Shea was awarded first place in the junior division with a coat and dress and Maggie received a first-place award in the senior division with her wool dress.

Both will be competing in the state Make it With Wool competition in Billings on December 3.

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

• Sunday, November 20, 2022 3:00-4:00 PM

• Sunday, December 11, 2022 3:00-4:00 PM

• Sunday, January 8, 2023 3:00-4:00 PM

• Sunday, February 5, 2023 3:00-4:00 PM

• Sunday, March 5, 2023 3:00-4:00 PM

Scholarships

The Montana 4-H Foundation supports 4-H initiatives that focus on healthy living, citizenship, leadership, science, engineering and technology, to name a few.The mission of the Montana 4-H Foundation is to "help 4-H youth by raising private funds, managing financial resources and partnering with the MSU Extension Service to fund educational opportunities for Montana 4-H youth, volunteer leaders and staff."

Scholarships and grants provide opportunities for youth and adults to strengthen their skills and maximize their positive impacts on the communities in which they live.

​Announcing Scholarships

​The Montana 4-H Scholarship winners will be recognized at Montana 4-H Congress on the MSU campus in July.As a condition of receiving the scholarship, each recipient or their appointee must agree to attend Montana 4-H Congress closing banquet to be recognized.

How to Apply

Each person need only complete one Montana 4-H scholarship application to apply for multiple Montana 4-H scholarships. Interested persons should complete the scholarship application via the Application platform on or before February 14, 2023.All applicants will need to submit two letters of recommendation, with one of the letters from your County 4-H Agent.

Awarding of Montana 4-H scholarships is based on the availability of funds.

2023 Outbound International Exchange Programs for Youth

Costa Rica · Japan · South Korea

Are you curious about daily life, culture, and youth programs in other countries?

Travel abroad with States’ 4-H and enter a world that most tourists rarely get to see.

Program Details:

States’ 4-H Summer Outbound programs provide American 4-H youth with the opportunity to travel to foreign countries for amonth-long cultural immersion experience. Delegates live with volunteer host families and engage in experiential learning about a new way of life.

Delegates experience aspects of daily life that allow them to more deeply understand both their host culture and their own culture. Our network of like-minded international partners recruit host families and plan enrichment activities.

2023 Travel Dates:

Japan 8-week:June 14—August 10, 2023

Costa Rica:June 21—July 20, 2023

Japan 4-week:July 12—August 10, 2023

South Korea:July 17—August 15, 2023

*Program dates subject to slight change or modification

Eligibility:

4-H youth ages 12 - 18 for Japan & South Korea, and ages 15 - 18 for Costa Rica

Program Information:

•Adult chaperones accompany the group during international travel and remain in-country to provide support.

•States’ 4-H provides Program Handbooks that cover everything from packing lists to financial matters to cultural information.

•States’ 4-H conducts group conference calls and a National Departure Orientation prior to international travel.

•No prior language study is required, but it certainly is helpful! Our international partners have English-speaking staff on hand to assist you in communication.

Program Fees Include:

Welcome packet; overnight national departure orientation; arrival orientation in host country; portion of chaperone fee; Accident & Sickness Medical Insurance;

in-country transportation, lodging, and meals while on-program; country-specific activities as determined by international partner organizations.

Application Deadline:

Montana's application deadline: December 31, 2022

Please note that program details are subject to change.

If interested and to request more information, contact:

Christine Sommers-Austin

[email protected]or406.994.3504

www.states4hexchange.org

Montana 4-H Citizenship Seminar

 

The 2023 Montana 4-H Citizenship Seminar will take place from January 15-17, 2023 in Helena at the Delta Colonial Hotel. This citizenship-in-action seminar is designed to educate Montana youth about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

When:The seminar will begin on Sunday, January 15 at 3:00 p.m. and end on Tuesday, January 17 sometime in the early afternoon around 1:30 p.m.

Where:Helena, Montana – Seminar activities will take place at the Delta Colonial Hotel in conjunction with Legislative Breakfast, the Bill Hamilton Building as well as the state capitol complex.

Eligibility:4-H members must be 13 years of age by October 1, 2022. Delegates will also attend the Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, January 17.

Chaperones:Each delegate must have a designated (adult) chaperone. Counties may combine with other counties to reach a desired 1:10 ratio of adults to youth. Chaperones will be asked to participate in the seminar by acting as lobbyists during the legislative process. Any adults with special skills or interests please email [email protected] if you would like to assist in any way.

Accommodations:Each individual/county must make their own guest room reservations. A block of rooms is reserved at the Delta Colonial Hotel (2301 Colonial Drive, Helena) under 'Montana 4-H Citizenship Seminar' by calling (406) 443-2100. The block will be open from November 28, 2022 – January 1, 2023. The rate is $107.00 per room plus tax (single/double occupancy) or $123.00 per room plus tax (triple/quad occupancy).

Fee:There is a $85 registration fee per youth and adult to offset the seminar program costs. The Montana 4-H Foundation contributes $3,000. The program fee includes all meals for both Montana Citizenship Seminar and the Legislative Breakfast.

Registration:Youth and adults log into your ZSuite Profile and register under Events starting November 28, 2022 – January 2, 2023. Please check with your county office to confirm the amount before paying.

Transportation:Transportation to and from the seminar and shuttling youth delegates between activities is the county’s responsibility.

Legislative Bill:Each delegate is expected to sponsor one “bill” suitable for the 4-H Legislature. This should be submitted, electronically, to Christine Sommers-Austin [email protected] by January 2, 2023. The bills will be reviewed and grouped by topic area into committees prior to the seminar. Please see the template included with this email and in the ZSuite registration for information on how to write a bill.

Service Project:Each delegate and county will have the opportunity to contribute to a service project that is yet to be determined.

History Bowl:Each delegate will have the opportunity to compete in the Montana History Bowl. The first round of the History Bowl will be a written form given on Sunday, January 15 during the seminar's check-in to determine the participates who will compete in the second and final rounds throughout the event.

Checklist:Please complete the following by the January 1 and January 2, 2023 deadlines

_____ Reserve your hotel room by January 1, 2023 or earlier

_____ Registration through ZSuite by January 2, 2023 or earlier

_____ Check with your county office to confirm amount before paying

_____ Email your mock legislative bill to [email protected] by January 2, 2023 or earlier

 

Thank you. We look forward to a phenomenal experience learning and growing with all of you!

Contact Christine Sommers-Austin at [email protected] or 406-994-3504 with questions and/or comments.

Montanans for 4-H Legislative Breakfast:  January 15-17, 2023

The 19th Biennial Montanans for 4-H Legislative Breakfast is fast approaching!

 

• Registration deadline in ZSuite is January 4

• Practice Dinner: Monday, January 16 & Breakfast: Tuesday, January 17 in Helena

• ***Please Note if you register for Citizenship Seminar event, you DO NOT need to register for legislative breakfast, it is already included.***

 

The Legislative Breakfast is a statewide Montana 4-H event hosted by The Montanans for 4-H. This event depends on local county participation to bring informed youth and adult participants together with state legislators to communicate the impact 4-H has on their community and our state. This event is open to active 4-H members and volunteers that are interested in citizenship and sharing positive information about 4-H with statewide lawmakers. Participants will also be encouraged to contact legislators prior to the event and personally invite them to attend the breakfast.

The event includes a breakfast with legislators Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30 AM and a practice dinner and training workshop Monday, January 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Both events will take place in the ballrooms at the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial Inn in Helena, MT.

Participants are highly encouraged to attend the Monday evening dinner as this event serves as a practice run for the Legislative Breakfast. A workshop hosted by the Ambassador Officer team will follow the dinner for youth participants to practice their communication skills when speaking with their legislators.

The event is open to all 4-H members and volunteers of all ages. 4-H members must be chaperoned by an adult.

Registration

Registration is required to participate in this event. The deadline to register for the event is January 4, 2023. Registration can be found in ZSuites.

The cost to attend the Breakfast is $30 (this fee is subject to change based on negotiations with the Hotel).

The cost to attend the Monday night dinner is $25. It is highly encouraged in order to be prepared for the breakfast event.

Lodging arrangements are to be made by the participants. There is a block of rooms reserved under “Montanans for 4-H Legislative Breakfast” at the Delta Hotel for $103 plus tax for a double queen. Also at the Fairfield Inn under “Mary Beth Walsh” for $124 plus tax.

This information can be found on the registration page.

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