On the Horizon

March 3

  • Council Meeting, Teton County Courthouse Conference Rm, Choteau, 6:30 pm

March 12

  • Rec Lab Registration Closes, Zsuite

March 28

  • Communication Day Registration Due

April 1

  • Swine Possession Deadline, paperwork, photos, fees, Extension Office, Tues, 5 pm

April 7

  • Livestock committee Meeting:  Fairfield, New Life Church, Monday, 6 pm

April 15

  • Lamb/Goat Possession Deadline, paperwork, photos, fees, Extension Office, Tues, 5 pm
  • Project Drop/Add Deadline

April 26

  • County Communications Day:  Saturday, Choteau Public School

Clover by 4-H

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

Club Dues and 1%

Invoices for club dues and 1% have been sent to club leaders and treasurers. Please send your club payment, payable to Teton County 4-H Council,to Teton County MSU Extension Office, PO Box 130, Choteau, MT 59422.

Rock Your Record Books

Last month you started the project journal pages in your Record Books.  Now let's talk dallars and cents!

Step 1:Go to the Record of Project Finances in your project journal pages

Step 2:Keep track of expenses as you work on your project

Step 3:Add in any income you earned along the way or at Fair

What is an expense?For example, imagine a baking project.If you bought a bag of chocolate chips, that’s an expense. What did the chips cost? (Hint - check the receipt!)If you used flour and eggs already at home, estimate how much those items would have cost if you had bought them at the store.

What aboutIncome?Income is any money brought in during the project.For example, did you get paid for services related to your project such as babysitting or welding?Did you win any premiums at Communications Day or the Fair?

Step 4: When youfinish your project for the year, add your totals and discover if you have made or lost money. First, total the amount of income.Next, total the expenses.Lastly, figure your profit or loss. Income - Expenses = Profit (a positive number) orLoss (a negativenumber.)Many non-animal projects will show a loss because you didn’t sell anything.That’s okay because the fun and the learning are totally worth it!

Hot Tip:

Psst - Did you know that you can enter your project journal pages in the Fair?Make them complete, neat and tidy and you could even win a premium!

Agent's Corner: Teton County a Rising Star!
By Jenn Swanson

Teton County 4-H members made a strong showing at the KMON 4-H Livestock Judging Contest on January 15, 2025 at the MAGIE in Great Falls. At the contest, kids competed as individuals and the top 5 scores from each county were summed to calculate that county’s team score. Our Teton County team placed 3rd in a field of eight counties, besting our larger neighboring counties, Cascade and Lewis and Clark.

Thirteen members of the Old Agency and Spring Creek 4-H clubs comprised the Teton County team of Boaz, Theo, and Polly Lytle; Anna and Leah Paulson; Claira Duty; Hayden Hodgskiss; Mesa Redland; Laudi Long; Seeley Neal; Addy Scott; Izzy Cornelius; and Tana Tschida. Theo Lytle was the top-scoring member of the Teton contingent, placing 9th in the field of 35 competitors; Tana Tschida competed in the novice category, placing 3rd in the field of seven. A big congratulations to the Teton team for the learning, fun, and success that you enjoyed.

And special thanks to leaders Jon Redland and Susan Snyder for spearheading this great event.Plans are afoot to host a livestock judging event right here at the Weatherbeater in 2026, so stay tuned and get involved!

Cultivating Leadership

by Shelby Jones-Dozier, FCS & 4-H Agent

I’m excited to announce our Teton County Ambassador Team for 2025.This great team will be instrumental in creating memorable and fun experiences for all Teton County 4-Hers this year.

You will see this team in action at at Communications Day in April, County Fair in June, and at Camp in July.By volunteering as a teen Ambassadors they are serving their 4-H community while learning leadership and communication skills.This is one of the many ways that Teton County 4-H is helping our youth become Beyond Ready for their bright future.

Senior Ambassadors (Served more than one year)

Eager Eagles:  Ayden DeBruycker and Waverly Konen

Challenging Champs:  Grace Toeckes and Mikayla Toeckes

Junior Ambassadors (New in 2025)

Eager Eagles:  Nolan DeBruycker

Challenging Champs:  Annie Diekhans and Claire Pfeifle

 

Our new Ambassadors were asked what skills and abilities they would to bring to the 4-H Ambassador team.

Annie said she is energetic and helpful.

Claire said she is a great worker and listens well.

Nolan said he is a good teacher, a good leader, a good communicator, and patient with younger members.

Calling All Youth Camp Counselors!

Summer may seem far away right now, but it’s not too early to start thinking about 4-H camp! The 2025 Camp Counselor application is now open and will be due Friday, February 14, 2025.Camp counselor planning meetings will be monthly beginning in March and wrapping up with an overnight retreat in June.

Camp counselors need to be 13 (4-H age) and attend a minimum of two planning meetings and the June retreat.Experience in club leadership and participation in a state level 4-H event is preferred.Attending Rec Lab and/or Congress is highly encouraged to get ideas for workshops and learn new group games.

Camp will be at the TASGA grounds in Choteau this year.Be a part of the team to develop new traditions and create a great summer experience!  Apply to be a 2025 Camp Counselor!

Many Hands Make Light Work!

More adult volunteers needed for Summer Camp 2025.

Several adults have stepped up to help at camp. Thank you! We need a few more adults to make this a great experience for everyone.

Teton County 4-H Camp will be July 22- 24, 2025, in Choteau at the Teton Antique Steam & Gas Association (TASGA) grounds.We are seeking adults to volunteer in shifts to help at camp.

Please consider helping at camp, even if only for a few hours.

Let us know how you can assist by completing the survey. Complete the 2025 Adult Camp Volunteer Survey.

Time to Register for Communications Day!

Communications Day will beSaturday, April 27,at Choteau Public School. 

The Communications Day application is now open and will be due Friday, March 28, 2025. Presentations times will be assigned once registration is complete.

Register for Communications Day!

This competition is open to all 4-H members from Cloverbuds to Seniors.4-Hers 13 and up who win a blue ribbon will be eligible to compete at state Congress in July.For those 14 and up, Congress winners will be eligible to attend National 4-H Congress as a member of the Montana Delegation.

Learn about the different ways to compete in Communications! 

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.

Rec Lab

What is Rec Lab? “Rec Lab” stands for Recreation Lab and means that everything at this Montana 4-H state event is hands-on and fun! This event provides an opportunity for youth to enhance their leadership, communication and team building skills in an action-packed and interactive setting. Rec Lab programming is designed to provide participants with tips and tricks for being a better club, camp and community leader.

Montana 4-H Rec Lab is open to youth 13+ years old (age as of Oct. 1st, 2024). This event is ideal for younger senior members to attend as a first-time state event. It allows them to form relationships with 4-H peers from across the state, broaden their skills, and widen their network. The event has a camp feel because everything will take place in one school or location! Participants will bring air mattresses and sleeping bags to sleep on the gym floor, and attend workshops all together in the school and join lots of social and fun activities.

Registration will be through ZSuite and is set to open on February 10th and will close March 12th. The cost will be around $100 per person. Participants will have the opportunity to pick from a list of workshops during registration.

Volunteers: The idea of sleeping on an air mattress in a school gym may not be your idea of a fun weekend, but this is a great event for you too! The program is conducive to meeting people from around the state and exchanging ideas. You are sure to gain some great info and bring home motivated youth leaders.

Thank you to District 6 counties: Meagher, Gallatin, Park, Broadwater, Wheatland, Sweet Grass, and Lewis and Clark Counties for planning and hosting this event.

Monthly Online Leadership Academy

Join the Montana 4-H Leadership Academy workshop series on Sunday afternoons in the 2024- 2025 4-H year. Each month, the State Ambassador Officer Team will present a different workshop topic that they have found to be important as they have developed their own leadership abilities. The leadership academy is for Montana 4-H members interested in exploring and developing their own leadership skills while serving their county 4-H program in new ways. The workshop content is considered beginner level for emerging leaders. Members with more leadership experience may find this to be a review and should consider mentoring younger members just starting out in leadership activities before or after these workshops. Visit the website to register for the workshop series and receive the Zoom link. Last Sunday Trainings at 3:00 PM: March 16, 2025.

2025 Montana Livestock Shows

April 12               Golden Triangle Preview & Jackpot Show, Great Falls (Beef Only)

April 26               Jr. Beef Spring Fling, Deer Lodge (Beef Only)

May 3-4              Black Diamond Junior Jackpot Show & Clinic, Billings (All Species)

May 24-25          Batle of the Big Horns, Sheridan, WY (All Species)

May 30-June 1    Cow Camp Clinic, Wilsall (Beef Only)

May 31                 Champion Choice Camp, Helena (Lambs & Goats)

June 6-7               Badlands Classic Jackpot and Clinic, Glendive (All Species)

June 7                   Golden Triangle Preview & Jackpot Show, Great Falls (Swine, Lambs & Goats)

June 8                   Cowtown Classic, Miles City (Beef Only)

June 12-15           Kootenai Classic, Couer d'Alene, ID (All Species)

June 14-15           Helena Jackpot, Helena (All Species)

June 14-15           Beartooth Banner &  Buckles, Red Lodge (All Species) (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

June 15                 Yellowstone Classic Jackpot show, Billings (Beef Only)

June 21-22            The Beaverhead Breakout Jackpot, Dillon (All Species)

June 28                  Bakken Classic, Watford City, ND (All Species)

                               Western Ranch Spectacular, Billings

                                Home Run Club Lamb Futurity Market & Breeding, Billings

July 11-13              Montana Royal Junior Livestock Show, Kalispell (All Species)

July 18-19              Tobacco Root Royale, Twin Bridges (All Species)

July 19                    Fred Everson Memorial Show, Lolo (Beef, Lambs & Goats)

                                Eager Beavers Jackpot Show, Wibaux (All Species)

July 25-August 2    Montana State Fair, Great Falls (All Species)

August 5-10           Western Montana Fair, Missoula (All Species)

August 8-16            Montana Fair, Billings (All Species)

October 10-18        N.I.L.E., Billings (All Species)  

Montana Farmers Union

Dear Montana 4-H Club,

Montana Farmers Union (MFU) knows 4-H does a fantastic job of educating youth about farms, ranches, community, and creating future leaders.  We do the same thing and that is why MFU wants to send you money to support your efforts!

Simply send us a sentence stating what your club wants money for and you will receive...$100!

MFU has $10,000 to send to 4-H clubs in Montana.  Funding will be available unitl October 1, 2025.  Grant application is included.

Steps to Successful Sentence Grant Completion:

  1. Since each club can only apply once each year, the sentence for the Grant needs to be discussed and decide on as a club.  Please note, that 4-H Leaders C ouncils are not eligible for this grant application, but are encouraged to submit for a reular sponsorhsip request at montanafarmersunion.com/sponsorship.
  2. Have a 4-H member from your club write one sentence in the designated space on the application, describing what your club needs.  It can be as simple as the following examples:
    The Constantly Cooking 4-H club wants to make healthier snacks for our meetings and needs money for food.  OR As aspiring artists, the members of the Pencil and Pig 4-H club would like to purchase art supplies.
  3. Then, have a club offier and leader sign the bottom of the application.

4-H member must write the sentence below.

The below signed 4-H Member (preferably a club officer) verifies that they discussed the $100 Sentence

Grant Application as a full club and the club has voted and agreed upon the above listed sentence. At least

one officer and a club leader need to sign for verification.

 

Club Officer:_____________________(Print) _________________________(Sign) _______(Date)

Club Leader:_____________________(Print) _________________________(Sign) _______(Date)

 

Let us know who the Contact and Payee on the check should be. Preferably the check will be sent to your

club. If you don’t have a bank account for your club, a 4-H leader may be named as the Payee.

Make check payable to: ________________________________________________________________

Email address of 4-H club or payee contact:_________________________________________________

Phone number of payee contact:__________________________________________________________

County where club is located: ___________________________________________________________

The club or payee mailing address: ________________________________                                                        

                                                               ________________________________

                                                               ________________________________

 

Mail this completed application to:

Montana Farmers Union 300 River Drive N PO Box 2447 Great Falls, MT 59403

Or email a photo/scanned copy of the completed application page to:

office@montanafarmersunion.comwith “$100 4-H Sentence Grant 2024 – CLUB NAME” in the subject

line.

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 shelby.jonesdozier@montana.edu
Jenn Swanson  jenn.swanson@montana.edu

Assistants:

JoAnn McDowell & Jamie Smith  teton@montana.edu

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