On the Horizon

May 5

  • Council Meeting: Choteau, Courthouse Conference Room (2nd Floor), Monday, 6:30 p.m.

May 21

  • Fair registrations due! No late entries accepted!

June 2

  • Livestock Committee Meeting: Choteau, Courthouse Conference Room (2nd Floor), Monday, 6:00 p.m.

New Fair Registration Software Streamlines Registration!

See details in this newsletter!  Please allow plenty of time to register your entries.  Remember, late entries are not accepted.

4-H Leaders Council Needs You!

Allclub leaders, adult volunteers, parents, and 4-Hers of all ages are invited to attend the Monday, May 5, 2025,4-H Leader’s Council Meeting.Leaders please plan to attend or send a representative from your club to this meeting.All clubs, including project clubs, need to be represented.

Fair Registration-Due by Wednesday, May 21, 2025

For written step-by-step instructions, check your email for a message from [email protected] with an attached .pdf document.You can also stop by the Extension Office for one-on-one assistance or pick up a printed copy. Register for Fair

Watch the step-by-step video instructions.

Important things to know before you register for Fair.

  • Register for the in-person interview and static exhibit item separately.
  • Register for one interview per project type.
    • For example, Teton Jane wants to enter five photos in the fair.  She will create one photography interview entry and five photgraphy entries.  In total, she will have six entries-one interview and five photos.
  • Each entry will receive a ribbon and cash award (premium).
  • Entry Class:   You will use this to selet the type of item you are bringing to the fair.  All STatic exhibit classes have the same choices:
    • Poster or educational display
    • Project ournal pages fromt he record book
    • Any item created as part of project
  • Enter all of your family's entries (interviews, livestock and static entries)
  • Your progress is automatically saved.  Changes can be made to exhibitors and entries before cliciking 'submit'.
  • Once you click 'submit,' any further changes will need to be made by the Extension Office.

Definitions:

Exhibitor: The 4-H youth who will be participating in the fair

Exhibit: The individual item brought to fair

Entry: The individual item or animal brought to fair

Project: The learning category the 4-Her registered for at the beginning of the 4-H year

Be at the Fair or Be Square!

Set-up Team (Tuesday, June 24, 5 p.m. until done)

Bender, Caleb

Bender, Kamber

Bender, Keira

Bender, Kinsey

Bradley, Bryden

DeBruycker, Ayden

DeBruycker, Nolan

Jacobsen, Elias

Jacobsen, Tessa

Jordre, Colton

Jordre, Kailey

Kelley, Dani

Lobdell, Kolman

Lobdell, Audrey

Long, Charlie

Long, Claire

Long, Laudi

Lytle, Boaz

Lytle, Polly

Lytle, Theodore

Martin, Ledger

Morris, Owen

Morris, Sage

Redland, Mesa

Taylor, Trent

Tschida, Tana

Toeckes, Grace

Toeckes, Isaac

Toeckes, Jackson

Toeckes, Mikayla

Yeager, Casen

Yeager, Justyce

Yeager, Rusch

Clean-Up Team (Sunday, June 29, 9 a.m. until done)

Banner, Ariana

Banner, Billy

Carlson, Lily

Carlson, Iris

Cherry, Keaton

Crabb, Tate

Davis, Cru

Davis, Quincee

DeBruycker, Kinsley

DeBruycker, Natalie

Donnelly, MaClay

Drumm, Liam

Gagne, Tucker

Greyn, Trent

Grubb, Aliya

Harrell, Charley

Hodgskiss, Grant

Hodgskiss, Hayden

Little, Waylon

Miller, Nick

Morris, Katy

Neal, Seeley

O'Haire, Zane

Paulson, Anna

Paulson, Leah

Pearson, Korbin

Pearson, Ronnie

Scott, Addy

Scott, Dawson

Elianna Sweetman

Ulsh, Dylan

Weekes, Tensli

Williams, Luci

2025 Teton County Club Rotations

Old Agency:  Pavilion set up and clean up

Challenging Champs: Weatherbeater Facility & Maintenance During Fair

Spring Creek: Arrange Exhibits & Manage Greeters/Judges' Snacks

Eager Eagles: Buyers' Appreciation Meal: Meat & Greet

Prairie Stars: Camp Facility Prep

Rock Your Record Books

Last month you worked on beginning your Animal Project Journal, now let’s delve into the financial record portion.

The financial parts of your animal project should be recorded on these pages, whether it is a market or breeding project, or a horse, dog, cat, rabbit, chicken, or pocket pet (tarantula!). As a learning tool, these pages are vital to your 4-H experience.

Fill in each chart that pertains to your project.

All animal projects will fill in the following

  • Beginning Value of Animal(s)- One line per animal.
  • End Value of Animal(s)- If you have a market animal project remember that after it is sold, it’s value to you is $0.00 because you no longer own it.
  • Feeding Record
  • Other Expense
  • Health Care Chart

 

Market and breeding animal projects will fill in these additional charts

  • Market Animal Growth Record
  • Sales Record
  • Production Record for Animal Breeding Project

 

Once you have the above information, you will fill out your Project Summary

  • Did you notice how at the bottom of some of the charts there was the word “Total” followed by a letter? Use this system to help find information and enter it in the correct place in the Project Summary.
  • Net Income = Total Receipts - Total Expenses. Did you make or loose money? Remember this is a learning exercise, there are no right or wrong outcomes here!

 

Your observations can be recorded near the bottom of the page in the “Comments” section

Remember, if you are selling a market animal, you must bring your project journal pages to the Fair as the basis of your interview.Make them complete, neat and tidy and you could even win a premium!

 

Ag Agent's Corner: Getting Your Game Face On!
By Jenn Swanson

  • Do you do your best work when no one is watching?
    • That’s because you are RELAXED.
  • When it’s time to perform or demonstrate, our nerves can get the best of us...
    • But only if we let them.
  • What can we do about being nervous??
  • PRACTICE!PRACTICE up to an “11” so you can perform at a “10”!PRACTICE until your routine is second nature and you can do it on auto-pilot.
  • Our animals get nervous, too.Spend lots of quality time with your animal so it will take comfort from you and feel as relaxed as possible at Fair.
  • 4-H projects are judged, but our primary focus is on personal growth and skill improvement.And it’s not all about winning.After all, only 1 person can win at a time even if more than 1 are really good.
  • So be proud ofhow much you practiced, how much you learned,andthe way you help others.That’s what makes 4-H FUN and SPECIAL!
    • Just ask our seniors ... and check out their amazing stories in this issue.Congratulations, Graduates!

2025 Teton County Communications Day

Demonstrations:

  • Hannah Meyer
  • Sawyer Clark
  • Parker Clark
  • Benjamin Diekhans
  • Annika Konen & Polly Lytle
  • Chase Harlow
  • Laney Wied

Speech:

  • Claira Duty

Western Heritage Persona:

  • Kyndal Becker

Stir-Ups:

  • Caleb Toeckes

Ambassadors (Emcee and photographer duties):

  • Nolan DeBruycker
  • Waverly Konen (Waverly also did a mock job interview)

Club Commotion

Thursday, April 17, myself, Addy Scott, along with Anna Paulson, Leah Paulson, Mesa Redland, Boaz Lytle, Polly Lytle, Theo Lytle, Elsie Lytle, Claira Duty, Brooks Johnson, Ella Olson, Trevor Olson, Kolman Lobdell and 7 adults, all members of the Spring Creek 4-H Club of Teton County, had the privilege to visit the Montana State capital in Helena. Thanks to our very own lobbyist with Farm Bureau, Karli Johnson, we were able to watch the Montana House of Representatives and Senate in session. The House and Senate are both very busy places with fast talkers, loud voices, and fancy desk buttons that light up the board when you vote yes or no. While we were there, they were discussing multiple bills, andmost passed. We were also able to attend and speak at an agriculture committee meeting with Karli. We discussed bill HJ-52 an Interim study on the Montana cattle industry. Ella and Mesa spoke of reasons why to vote in favor of the bill. Carly White provided the group with a wonderful tour of the capital building. My favorite part of the tour was learning about the origins of the art in the capital. I recommend visiting our beautiful State capital any chance you get. We finished off the day with a stop at the Parrot Confectionary for the most delicious sweet treats!! You can never go wrong ending your day with chocolate! A special thank you to Karli Johnson and Susan Snyder for making this trip possible.

By Addy Scott

Congratulations 2025 Graduates!

Kamber Bender

4-H has meant many different things over the years. It has been something my siblings and I have bonded over. 4-H has been a huge part of my life as I have grown up with it. The ability to show my market pigs has been a great learning experience for me. It has gifted me leadership opportunities and helped to break me out of my comfort zone.

Bryce Bedord

To me, 4-H was never just about shooting sports. It was a place where I was able to grow and learn the skills to become an effective leader of my community. Through my years in 4-H, I gained practical skills, a strong work ethic, and the confidence to work with and lead others. I was able to learn the value in serving my community-not just for the benefit of myself, but for everyone around me. Because of 4-H, I am moving on in my life with not only my knowledge and skills, but also with the commitment of giving back to wherever I go.

Jordyn Stengrimson

4-H has taught me the value of responsibility, teamwork, and giving back to my community. It’s a great way to learn new skills, make connections, and have fun along the way. I always encourage younger classmates to get involved because it’s an experience that helps you grow and gain confidence in ways you might not expect.

Nick Miller

4-H has been a central part of my life growing up for as long as I can remember. It has taught me valuable life skills such as patience and teamwork that will help me in future careers. It also allowed me to experience what it is like to take care of an animal and to have emotional attachment to one. I’ve also formed some great friendships over the years. Finally, I appreciate all the volunteers and leaders that have helped me over the years and made me the person I am today.

Mikayla Toeckes

Justyce Yeager

To me, 4-H means growing love and a respect for animals and responsibilities that you don’t get to learn anywhere else.

Join Teton County for the Wildest Westest Summer Camp-July 22-24

Register on ZSuite.

Registration ends Monday, June 30.

Camp will be located in choteau at the Teton Antique Steam & GasAssociation (TASGA) grounds.

We really need at least three more adult chaperones, including one adult male!

Call the Extension office to volunteer!

 

 

4-H Council Seeking New Officers!

4-H Council is seeking a new secretary for 2025-2027. Youth and adults are both eligible to serve as secretary.Our treasurer position will be vacant later this year and we are seeking a treasurer-in-training to work with Rachel Christensen to learn the ropes!Please contact the Extension Office to learn more.

Clover by 4-H

Clover by 4-H is a great online source of project support and learning.
Try it today! Find out more about Clover by 4-H.

Club Dues and 1%

Thank you to Eager Eagles, Old Agency and Spring Creek 4-H Clubs for your timely payments. If your club still needs to reimburse Council for club dues and 1%, please send your club payment, payable to Teton County 4-H Council,to Teton County MSU Extension Office, PO Box 130, Choteau, MT 59422.

FREE Knitting and Crochet Supplies for 4-H Members

A community members have donated yarn and other supplies to be used by 4-H members. These items will be given out free, on a first come, first served basis. Please call or stop by the Extension office if interested, 406-466-2491.

Montana 4-H Congress

4-H for LIFE isn’t just a theme—it’s a call to adventure! It’s all about the journey of growth, leadership, and endless possibilities that 4-H gives you, now and into the future. LIFE stands for Leadership In Future Endeavors, and that’s exactly what 4-H helps you build—skills and experiences that will set you up for success long after you’ve left the  4-H community.

WHAT PARTICPANTS CAN EXPECT FROM 4-H CONGRESS:

  • Make connections with peers, both youth and adult from across Montana.
  • Learn by doing - Get practical experience through hands-on activities and competitions.
  • Discover fresh ideas from workshops and national speakers that will fuel your future success.
  • Build your network of mentors and friends who will cheer you on.
  • Set yourself up for success— Participate in workshops that open doors to new careers

This event is the cornerstone of Montana 4-H’s Beyond Ready initiative which prepares young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future by helping them build the skills needed to be healthy, productive, and engaged.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

  • Any Teton County 4-Her age 13 - 19

Teton County Requirements

  • First year attending, not required to participate in a competition
  • Second year attending, required to participate in a competition
    • All competitions are open to anyone, competing at the county level is not required
  • Find out more about State Competitions

An adult chaperone (certified 4-H volunteer) is needed to transport and attend with participants.A Teton County Extension Agent will not be attending Congress this year.Please contact the office if you are interested in chaperoning.

Application will open in ZSuite May 1 and will close June 15.

Teton County 4-H Council will cover half of the cost of attendance.

 

 

MSU Extension Teton County

Fair Dates

The Teton County Fair is scheduled for the last full weekend in June that includes a Sunday.
2025    June 24-29
2026    June 22-28

Camp Dates

2025   July 22-24

4-H Congress Dates, Bozeman

2025   July 8-11
2026   July 7-10

 

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