PDF of Newsletter

A Letter from the Extension Agent

First, I’d like to say THANK YOU to all the committees and the Council who worked hard to make the 4-H Fair possible.  Without a doubt, it will look different this year, but the same core activities will be there.  Although not required, Fair is an opportunity for you to showcase your hard work, receive recognition and learn new skills.  There are opportunities for you to participate both in-person and from afar, so I hope you all decide to take part in some way.  You may have also heard that the main Fair & Rodeo has been cancelled this year.  I know this was a difficult decision for those involved, and I know it will make our Fair feel much different.  However, I think we should make the best of out a difficult situation and focus on a safe and healthy 4-H Fair.  Due to some of the additional protections this year, we may be looking for some extra volunteers.  If you are willing and able to help, please let us know.  Thank you, once again, for your patience as we work through our Fair plan!

Sincerely,

Allison Kosto - Extension Agent

DISCLAIMER:  Due to COVID-19 restrictions all meetings, events, workshops, etc. have the potential to be postponed or cancelled.  Updates and changes will be sent via email. 

 4-H FAIR EDITION NEWSLETTER

The 4-H Fair is happening!  The 4-H plan for Fair was approved by the Board of Health so we are moving forward.  There are many changes this year.  A short summary of the changes are listed on page 2 of the newsletter.  Also please plan to attend one of the online meetings outlined below to learn about the changes and ask questions.

 Even though the Fair plan was approved, the health and safety of our 4-H youth, volunteers and their families remain our top priority.  Many procedures are being put in place to try to make Fair safe for all those who attend.  However, it is important to emphasize that Fair participation is optional.  A successful completion of the 4-H year is not dependent on Fair participation.  We especially want those in the vulnerable population to carefully consider the risks associated with Fair participation and being out in public.  There are options available for those who choose not to or cannot participate in Fair to have their exhibits judged.  If you would like to take advantage of these options, please enter your exhibits as normal and then contact our office to choose the best option for you.

What to Expect at Fair - Online Meeting and Q&A

Please join us for one of the following meetings that will cover the changes at Fair and provide plenty of time for you to ask questions.  A meeting recording will be available for those who are unable to attend.  The meeting link will be emailed out prior to the meeting.

  • Tuesday, July 14th at 12:00 pm (noon)
  • Thursday, July 16th at 7:00 pm

 FAIR ENTRIES

Fair entries are due Wednesday, July 1st by 11:00 pm.  Fair entries are done online through Fair Entry with your 4HOnline email and password. Please enter in your Fair projects as normal. Even if you are not comfortable attending the Fair in-person, opportunities are available for exhibits to be judged, so don’t let that stop you!  The Fairbook is re-attached to the newsletter email.  On page 4 of the Fairbook are detailed instructions for how to enter the Fair.  Please use the Fairbook as a reference to determine your entries and to review the rules.  If you have any trouble or questions, please do not hesitate to call the Extension Office.  

 FAIR SHIRTS

If you would like a Fair t-shirt, but are not planning on exhibiting at the Fair, please send your t-shirt size to the Extension Office by July 1st.  This includes Cloverbuds!  Thanks to a donation from Northwest Farm Credit Services, t-shirts are provided to 4-H members at no cost. T-shirts are available for family members and leaders for $15 each, and orders must be made to the office by July 1st.  Payment prior to Fair is appreciated!

FAIR CHANGES for HEALTH & SAFETY DURING A PANDEMIC

 Indoor Projects & Interviews
  • Interview judging will take place on Tuesday, August 4th starting at 9:00 am. Interviews will be scheduled 15 minutes apart.  A schedule will be sent out in advance.
  • Options are available for members who cannot or choose not to attend Fair. Please let the office know as soon as possible if you will not be at the interviews to make plans to have your exhibits judged. 
  • NEW this year, please check-in on the east side of the Commercial Building.
  • Interviews will be held in both the Commercial Building and 4-H Buildings to allow plenty of space for social distancing. Volunteers will help you find your tables.
  • Masks are encouraged. They will be available if you would like one, or you can bring your own.
  • Parents may help members bring the exhibits to the building, but then are asked to wait outside.
  • Please sanitize your hands before check-in and between each interview. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
  • Members will be interviewing a safe distance (6 feet) away from the judge. Please only set your exhibit(s) on the table with the judge’s permission. 
  • Inside of an Indoor Silent Auction, an online auction is in the works. The Indoor Auction is available for any member with a useable indoor project.  Please indicate during the Fair entry process if you are interested and watch for more details.
  • Additional sanitation procedures have been put in place.
 Animal Projects, Shows & the Sale
  • The Show Ring is being moved from the Livestock Barn to a tent south of the barn. This allows for increased seating capacity, improved traffic and air flow, and more space for social distancing.
  • Only market livestock will be housed overnight in the barn. All other animals including breeding projects, dairy animals, poultry and rabbits (except poultry and rabbit meat pens) can come for their show but are required to return to their truck/trailer immediately after the show.
  • Feeder (underweight animals) classes will not be held. If you have a feeder animal after weigh-in, it can stay in the barn and load a truck on Sunday but will not show in a feeder class.
  • Setup will be required for any 4-H livestock members entered in Fair who are 13 years or older (as of Oct. 1, 2019). The requirement is waived for younger members and those only in indoor projects this year.
  • No livestock interviews will be held.
  • Camping will be allowed. Watch for more information.
  • We would like to limit spectators at the Livestock Shows to immediate family only. We are working on setting up livestreaming. 
  • A “Sanitation Station” will be setup in the Livestock Barn. During each barn duty shift, members and their families will be asked to help clean the barn.
  • Please look closely at the schedule. There are several schedule changes, including the Livestock Sale which starts with announcements at 2:00 pm and the sale starting at 2:30 pm.
  • Show (backtag) numbers will be provided in your family’s Fair packet. It is your responsibility to make sure it gets to Fair and wear it for every show.
  • The Livestock Sale will be open to the public, but we are encouraging buyers to limit the number of people representing their business. Proxy and phone bidding is encouraged.  No buyer’s dinner will be held.
  • Additional sanitation procedures have been put in place.

Record Book Forms

Forms can be found on the county webpage on the 4-H Forms & Resources section or from the Extension Office. You can either fill it in using the computer & save it throughout the year or print & handwrite it.

Types of Forms:

My 4-H Year: One form required each year at the front of your record book. This form summarizes your general 4-H activities & achievements. You can also record non-4-H activities.

Animal Project Journal & Financial Record: Use one form for each animal project (i.e. market lamb, breeding beef, rabbit, horse, etc.). This helps track project specific activities, feed records, financials, & health care.

Non-Animal Project Journal and Financial Record: Use one form for each indoor project (i.e. sewing, foods, leadership, leathercraft, etc.). This helps track your project specific activities & financials.

Cloverbud Record Sheet: 1 set per year for each Cloverbud. This is a journal of your 4-H activities. 

4-H Story: Optional for yearend completion but required to be eligible for awards. This is your opportunity to be creative & share a favorite experience from the 4-H year. This can be completed after Fair.

Record book covers are available from the office. Contact the office or club leader if you have questions.

 MARKET LIVESTOCK ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

To show and sell market livestock (including poultry and rabbits) at the Fair all 4-H members must complete seven (7) “activity points” for each market project by the Fair entry deadline. One option is to complete 7 activities in your 4-H project book. The activities must be fully completed, dated and signed off by your helper.

 You may also choose other activities such as attending a workshop, livestock judging, outside shows, helping a younger member or organizing a workshop. There have been fewer workshops this year which will likely continue for most of the summer.  However, there are many virtual or online learning opportunities that will qualify as well.  For each of these items, you need to write a paragraph about what you learned in that educational experience. Please use the provided form attached with the newsletter email. The form, books and documentation must be turned into the office by the fair entry deadline, July 1st by 5:00 pm   No other books are due at this time.

SETUP AND CLEANUP

Fair setup is on Monday, August 3rd at 6:00 pm.  Livestock barn setup and cleanup is required for 4-H & FFA livestock members entered in Fair who are 13 years or older (4-H age is based on October 1, 2019).  If you are unable to make it, a representative who can do the work may come in your place. If no one shows up, you will receive a $75 fee for each time deducted from your sale check.  The requirement is waived for younger members and those only exhibiting indoor projects.  4-H building will be set up by 4-H Indoor Committee ONLY!  Cleanup is Monday, August 10th at 9:00am. 

 INDOOR AUCTION

Indoor exhibitors are welcomed to participate in the 4-H Indoor Online Auction at the Fair.  It is open to any member (including Cloverbuds) who exhibit a useable item such as: leathercraft, woodworking, sewing, quilting, photos, etc.  All proceeds to go to the member.  There is a two-item limit.  Food and animal items may not be sold.  Photos cannot be framed for judging, but frames can be added after judging for the auction.  Frames and matting will be sold with the photo.  PLEASE WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION! 

 4-H RECORD BOOKS

There will not be Market Livestock interviews at setup this year, so you do not need to bring your 4-H Record Book with you.  However, it is recommended that you still have your record books up-to-date!  It makes it easier to answer judge’s questions and quick to finish the year.  A description of the record book forms is on page 2.  Forms are available on the county webpage or from the Extension Office.  All record books are due to your club leader by September 15th (or an earlier date set by your club).  If record books are not completed by November 1st then you are not eligible to sell you animals in the Fair the following year.

 LIVESTOCK MEMBERS PARTICPATION CONTRIBUTION

Each family is asked to contribute $20 per family for the tent, which can be paid to the Livestock Committee (Julianne Hill) at Livestock Weigh-In on Thursday, August 6.  Normally, this contribution goes to the buyer’s dinner, but this year it will be put towards the tent.

COUNTYWIDE 4-H ACTIVITIES

County Contest Extravaganza

Two senior members, Connor Lamb and Alice Brummer participated in the Stir-Ups Contest with a mission to be eligible to participate at Montana 4-H Congress.  The team received a blue ribbon which bought them a ticket to Congress.  Congratulation Connor and Alice! 

 COMMITTEE & COUNCIL MEETINGS

 4-H COUNCIL & INDOOR COMMITTEE: Next meetings will be on Tuesdays, July 28 and August 25th in the County Annex Building (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend).  Council will be at 7:00 pm and Indoor Committee at 6:00 pm.  Contact Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 if you have any questions or agenda items.

 LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE:  Next meetings will be Tuesdays, July 7th at 6:00 pm at the County Annex (416 Broadway, Townsend).  We will be reviewing books and working on final Fair details.  If you have any questions or agenda items, please contact Jason Noyes at 406.949.4851.

 HORSE COMMITTEE:  Next meeting is Wednesday, July 8th at 5:00 pm at the County Annex Building (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend).

 4-H TEEN CLUB:    Next meeting is Tuesday, July 21st at 6:00 pm in the County Annex Building (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway Street).  Please RSVP to Karen Noyes at 406.949.4852 or contact her with any questions.

4-H INDOOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Robotics

Workshops will be held on Saturday, July 11 and 25 and August 15th from 1-4:00 pm in the County Annex (Old Opportunity Bank, 416 Broadway, Townsend).  Contact Julie Kluin at [email protected] or 605.553.0601 if you have any questions.

 Photography

Please let your project leader, Cassie Cooper, know if you need mats for your pictures that you are entering in fair.  She needs to know what size (5x7 or 6x10), color (black or white) and how many.  You can email her ([email protected]) or call/text (406.439.1269).

DID YOU KNOW?! - How To Get An Indoor Award At Fair

The Indoor Committee uses a point system to determine indoor Fair awards based on the ribbons that you receive. A purple ribbon is worth 4 points, blue is 3 points, red is 2 and white is 1.

Certificates are given to the top 4-H junior and senior exhibitor in every project. Points are given for up to 5 entries/ribbons in every project. The more entries you do and the better you do, the more points you will get.

Medals are given in every 4-H project category for juniors and seniors. The project categories are listed both in the
4-H Clover and Fairbook. An example of a category is “Engineering and Technology” which includes the projects Aerospace, Bicycle, Electricity, Robotics, Small Engines, Welding and Woodworking. In this area, exhibitors receive points for the top 3 entries/ribbons in each project. All the projects in the category are added together and the exhibitor with the most points in the category will receive a medal. The more projects you do within a category, the greater the probability you will get a metal. Quality is important too!

An overall award is given to the top junior and senior indoor exhibitor. This award uses the top 3 entries/ribbons in every indoor project (including animal educational displays) for the overall award. This is another area where a greater number of indoor projects may yield a great likelihood of achieving the award. Quality is important too!

Indoor awards are a little complicated so if you have any questions, contact a member of the Indoor Committee or the Extension Office.

4-H ANIMAL PROJECT ACTIVITIES

SHEEP

There will be a Sheep Showmanship Clinic on Wednesday, July 8th at 6:00 pm at the Fairgrounds in Townsend.  Please contact Lori Sayers (406.285.4355) if you have any questions.

DOG

Dog Agility:  Workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 7th with Beginners (1st Year) at 6:00pm and Int/Adv at 7:00pm. 

 Agility & Obedience: Workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 28th at 6:00 pm.  This will be the final workshop of the year.  There will be fun games for all dog obedience and dog agility kids to enjoy.     

All workshops/demonstrations will be held at Sorenson’s Indoor Barn (200 Flynn Lane, Townsend).  Please contact Julie Flynn at 406.439.1471 or [email protected] if you have any questions.  

HORSE

IMPORTANT:  Vaccination forms need to be returned to Donna Richards or the Extension Office by member’s first ride at practice, and they are required to be eligible to enter fair!!!  Riding Workshops will continue thru July on Mondays at 6:30pm at the Fairgrounds.   

Have you wormed your animal recently?

If not, it may be time to do it again! Keeping your animal free of internal parasites makes them healthier and happier and minimizes their spread when they encounter other animals at places such as Fair. Make sure you read the label and adhere to all withdrawal times. This is your legal responsibility to make sure there are no drug residues in your animal at slaughter. Don’t wait too long to give your wormer or it may be too late! Many wormers have a 30 day withdrawal time so aim to do it around July 1st!

4-H OUTDOOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Shiloh Raffle Drawing Winners Announced

The Shiloh Raffle drawing has taken place and we have two local winners!!  Congratulations to Clay Watson on winning the $2,500 Shiloh Raffle Gift Certificate and also Matt Anderson on winning the SKB RS400 Shotgun, 12 gauge!  Thank you for supporting the Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Program fundraiser.  The money generated helps to run the program on a State and County level. 

STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES

Montana 4-H Congress

Congress: July 8-July 11

2020 is going virtual! 

All information about this event can be found on this page. Schedule additions are being added daily and will also be shared on Instagram and Facebook.  Registered participants should be receiving contest specific information from the Contest chairperson regarding deadlines and scheduling presentation times.          

Something new they are trying this year, there will be a statewide virtual workshop presented by world renowned team building expert Jim Cain.  This workshop will take place on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 pm.  Anyone can participate, but this would be an appropriate time to gather in a group (club) and do so as long as COVID-19 safety guidelines are followed.  The Extension Office will have a box of supplies that you will need for this activity with some props.  Jim has been working throughout the COVD pandemic with different groups on ways to connect, communicate, reflect and have fun while exceeding safety expectations.  He will lead the remote groups from his home in NY state where he has been leading groups positioned around the world. 

STICKER CHALLENGE

Calling all 4-Hers: Are you into drawing? Graphic design? Or any other form of art? We need a design for a sticker to commemorate the 2020 Montana 4-H Congress.  The sticker will be no larger than 4in x 4in and can be die-cut to shape, or a square, circle, or rectangle with a design within.  The theme is Congress Live: Bringing 4-H Home. You can email your design to Lexie Davis at [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, the name of your design, and the size of your design in the email.

The Ambassador Officer Team will select a design and announce a winner prior to Congress, and everyone who registers for Congress will receive a sticker! Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your design.

STATEWIDE 4-H LIVESTOCK OPPORTUNITIES

Montana 4-H State Horse Show

September 18-20, 2020 at Heart K Arena in Livingston, MT

2020 Registration Information coming soon!

4-H State Horse Show T-Shirt Design Contest

Help design the T-Shirt for the 2020 State 4-H Horse Show.  Please send your design or photo by July 27th  to Ben Hauptman ([email protected]) or Karen Palmer ([email protected]). Resolution preferred is 300 PPI in a JPEG format.  Winning design may be altered to fit T-shirt.

 Interested in starting your own flock??

The Montana Columbia Sheep Breeders Association has a Starter Flock program available to youth interested in starting their own flock.  Youth must be between the ages of 11-16 and complete an application available at http://www.mtcolumbiasheet.org/starter-flock.html.  Applications are due August 1st. Selected recipients will receive 4 registered ewes.  For questions, please contact Luanne Wallewein at [email protected].

 NILE Modifies Schedule for 2020 Fall Show

NILE livestock events will run from September 30th through October 18th.  This includes some classic events and some new events to be held at the Miller’s Horse Palace in Laurel.  Other shows will see virtual digital technology come to the forefront, keeping the high-quality standard of livestock set by NILE for many years.  While much of the events will continue, some events simply won’t work in the current situation and limitations, such as the Rodeos.  While NILE Version 2.0 looks a little different, they guarantee it will allow them to come back in 2021 with their exceptional Cattle Breed Shows, Marketplace Trade Shows and Rodeos.  Be sure to visit their many social media outlets as well as www.thenile.org for constant updates and information.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

AYP HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

The Academic Year Program (AYP) is still moving forward as normal with the 2020-2021 school year and looking for Host Families! AYP delegates come from Japan, Korea or a Eurasian country for one school year. The Japanese students have traveled previously to the United States as part of the summer program. English skills are well-developed. Delegates must attend public school. Host families do not need to have children in their homes to host but need to welcome the delegate as a member of their families for a year.  If you have questions or wish to apply to be host family, contact: Stephanie Davison at [email protected].