On the Horizon

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 8

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

April 15

  • Project Drop/Add Deadline

April 26

  • County Communications Day:  Saturday, Choteau Public School, 10 am - 2 pm

May 5

  • Council Meeting: Monday, May 5, 6:30 pm Teton County Courthouse Conference Room

4-H Leaders Council Needs You

All club 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.

Share Your Feedback on Record Books with State 4-H

State 4-H in Bozeman recently sent out a State Record Book Survey via email. Each 4-H family is asked to respond. Here is your chance to let your voice be heard!Please be on the lookout for the survey to complete and submit it as soon as possible. If you have not yet received the survey, please contact Jamie at the Extension Office, 406-466-2491, and she will send you one. Thank you!

Rock Your Record Books

Last month you worked on the financial portion of the project journal pages in your record books.This month if you have an animal project, focus on your Animal Project Journal Pages.

We have covered similar pages already in other Rock Your Record Book articles. The difference here is to fill the animal journal pages in specifically about your animal project.

You will need one animal project journal for each animal project you are enrolled in this 4-H year. We can print the pages you need at the Extension office or you can visit our webpage to get the pages yourself.

For each animal project journal do the following:

  • At the top of the first page fill in the 4-H Year (2024-25).
  • Add a photo of yourself working on your project.
  • Fill in your name, county (Teton), project name and how many years you have been in the project.
  • Three goals for each animal project. Remember to think about what you are going to do (the Action), what it will look like (the Result), and when you will finish (the Timeline).
    • Take some time to review the goals you have set for yourself and record anything that has happened as you have tried to reach your goals. Record setbacks and your adjustments to them as well as progress.
  • The next part is about recording the activities you do in the project as you do them.
    • It is easiest if you do this little by little as each activity occurs throughout the 4-H year.
    • First fill in the date.
      • If you know the exact date of an activity, enter that.
      • If you do not know the exact date, that’s okay, too. Just record the month and year.
    • Next, record the activity. (For example, “attended livestock judging competition”)
      • Then, write what you learned. (“Knowing what judges look for when judging animals made it easier to choose my project steer.”)

Next month we will continue with the Animal Project Journal pages. In the meantime, try to both work ahead and review your work so far. Keep up the good work!

 

Agent's Corner: Fair is in the Air!
By Jenn Swanson

4-H Fairis one of those special life events that makes forever memories.

See below for important info!

  • Vote for Fair Theme by Mon, Apr 7, at 12 noon (watch for the ballot in your email).
  • Coming soon - Dates for Swine and Lamb/Goat in-person Livestock Quality Assurance (LQAs).Remember, 1 in-person LQA per year, minimum, is required.Dates will be sent by text and email.
  • Thanks to the creative leadership of Old Agency, there will be a live band for the Friday night dance during Fair week!Old Agency is leading the way with a contribution of $300 to cover band and decorations and snacks.Each Club should contribute $150 to $300, as they can afford. Contact Carli Neal or Andrea Greyn from Old Agency for more details!

4-H Volunteer Week begins April 21, 2025

  • This is a great time to give a shout out to your Club leaders, Project Leaders, and Animal Superintendents!
  • Nominate worthy volunteers for awards by sending a description to Jenn and Shelby via email!

Livestock Judging is a rockin’ good time!

Summer Camp News

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

I’m excited to announce our Teton County Camp Counselor team for 2025.

Senior Counselors

Waverly Konen, Ayden DeBruycker, Grace Toeckes, Jackson Toeckes, Jessica Toeckes, Annie Diekhans, Claire Pfeifle, and Andrew Major

Senior Counselors

Nolan DeBruycker, Kyndal Becker, Anna Paulson, and Annika Konen

We had our first planning meeting in March and will continue to meet monthly to plan a fun and memorable summer camp experience.

What is 4-H Summer Camp?

This is an overnight experience where 4-Hers, age 8 - 13, will build Beyond Ready skills by learning to live together in a group from Tuesday, July 22 - Thursday, July 24.At camp there will be skill-building workshops, legendary group games, goofy campfire songs, silly skits, and endless ga-ga ball.This is a great time for 4-Hers from across the county to make new 4-H friends.

We will be sleeping indoors on the floor (boys and girls will be in separate buildings).Now is a good time to start thinking about what you need to be comfortable on the floor (pillow, sleeping mat, light sleeping bag).A full packing list will be provided in the May newsletter.

Registration will begin in May and will close on Friday, July 11, 2025.

MORE Adult Volunteers Needed for Summer Camp 2025

Three adults have volunteered so far (thank you!!!).... we need at least three more including one adult male!

We are seeking adults to volunteer in shifts to help at camp.

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

Teton County 4-H camp will be July 22- 24, 2025, in Choteau at the Teton Antique Steam & Gas Association (TASGA) grounds.

Complete the 2025 Adult Camp Volunteer Sign Up.

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/Judge's snacks

Eager Eagles: Buyer's Appreication Meal-Meat & Greet

Prairie Stars: Camp facility prep

2025 4-H Club Rotations
Club
Club Rotation
Club Rotation Description
Challenging Champs
Weatherbeater Facility Maintenance (Fair)

Duties:

  • Arrange Pavilion greeters (work with Extension to determine schedule)  
  • Hospitality for judges varies depending on the time of judging.  Could include a light snack (bars, fruit) and water or a light meal.
  • Coordinate with Extension Office to assist with carrying suppplies/moving admin desk supplies from pavilion to Weatherbeater on Thursday 
  • 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.
    • Managaing inside and outside areas for cleanliness, safety, traffic, etc. 
    • Safety announcements can be made prior to and during the fair.
Eager Eagles
Meat & Greet (Fair)

Duties:  

  • Set up at 4pm before the Meat & Greet starts at 5pm (Note: baked goods are stored in Weatherbeater Kitchen prior to event) 
  • Serve food from 5 to 6 pm 
  • Clean up after the event 

Tips:   

  • The duties may be divided between 2 shifts, with market animal members participating in set up  
  • 4-6 p.m.  Setup for the event and serve food. 
  • 5-7 p.m. Serve food and clean up after the event. 

Optional to sell concessions: 

  • Thurs evening – Saturday @ 3 p.m. 
Spring Creek
Greeter Scheduling & Static Exhibit Display (Fair)

Duties: 

  • Recruit and schedule greeters at the Pavilion for the static exhibit display (Pavilion is open Thursday 4 to 7, Friday 9am to 5 pm, and Sat 9 am to 12 noon)  
  • Set up the static exhibit display immediately after Interview Judging (please wait until all judging is completed – approximately 6 pm) 

Guidelines: 

  • Clubs decide how to best display static exhibits (can be by Club, by project type, etc.).  
  • A “champions area” is generally created to display the exhibits that were ranked as class and division winners.   
  • The Extension office will provide supplies for displaying static exhibits (e.g., tablecloths, easels, risers, magnets, pipes, etc.)  
  • Note:  no tape, nails, staples, etc., can be used on the Pavilion walls 
Old Agency
Pavilion Set Up and Clean Up (Fair)

Duties: 

  • Set up: Coordinate with Extension office to assist with transport of Fair supplies to the Pavilion on Monday or Tuesday 
  • Hang 4-H flags around courthouse 
  • Maintenance: Maintain the cleanliness of restrooms and the exhibit hall at the Pavilion Thursday through Saturday 
  • Clean up: Clubs may clean up on Saturday night or on Sunday morning and should communicate their plan with the Extension office before Fair week 
  • A cleaning list and supplies will be provided with specific details for cleaning the Pavilion and re-packing the Extension supplies   
  • Take down flags around courthouse 

Tips: 

  • Separate families may be assigned to separate duties (set up, maintenance, clean up) 
Prairie Stars
Camp Cleaning

Duties: 

  • Preparing TASGA Grounds for Camp in mid-July 

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.

State Shooting sports Competition Results

The Rocky Mountain Top Shots traveled to Bozeman to compete in the state meet on March 8-9, 2025. The team, along with their dedicated coaches, has spent the past several months preparing for this highly anticipated competition, practicing three nights a week leading up to the event.

The team consists of 12 members, led by senior Bryce Bedord. Other team members include Kyndal Becker, Logan Becker, Nolan DeBruycker, Crew Egbert, Hannah Meyer, Leah Paulson, Blaise Skierka, Jack Tacke, Dylan Ulsh, Rebekah Wall, and Laney Weid. The team is coached by Head Coach Brian Bedord, along with assistants Alan Peace, Fred Ginther, Andy Watson, Doug Ulsh, Holly Hamilton and Chris Tacke.

“The team grew together throughout the event, supporting and encouraging each other,” said Loren Tacke, Teton County Shooting Sports Coordinater. “Even though team scores aren’t officially tracked, the Teton County 4-H shooters stood out as one of the top teams in the state.”

Looking ahead, the future looks bright for the Rocky Mountain Top Shots, as all members will return next year. “We have a very promising future in shooting sports,” Tacke added. “These kids are dedicated and motivated to compete at the highest level.”

Free Knitting and Crochet Supplies for 4-H Members

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.

Club Commotion

Challenging Champs

The Challenging Champs club communication day featured wonderful demonstrations, illustrated talks and, for the first time, the Stir-ups competition! It was a success and everyone learned a lot.

Eager Eagles

Eager Eagles members donated 200 filled Easter Eggs to the Fairfield Easter Egg Hunt.

Members made a $500 profit from their annual bake sale during the Fairfield Christmas Stroll. They decided to give all proceeds back to the Fairfield community with $250 to the Fairfield Food Bank and $250 to the Fairfield Jr. Women to assist with the building of their "Little Town" project in the Fairfield City Park.

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.

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)  

 

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