4-H Newsletter August 2026

On the Horizon

August

• Record books due to club leaders to be checked for completeness. Check with your club

  leader for specific date

September 1

• State Horse Show and Working Ranch Horse Finals Registrations Close

September 10-13

• State Horse Show, Fergus County Fairgrounds, Lewistown

September 18-20

• State Working Ranch Horse Finals, Cottonwood Equestrian Center, Joliet

October 4-10

• National 4-H Week

November 6-8

• Fall Teen Leadership Training weekend, Billings MT

2026 Western Heritage State Shoot

Brian and Lisa Bedord hosted approximately 30 attendees including 21 competitors at the Western Heritage Shoot in Simms, Montana on July 18, 2026. The Competition was established 20 years ago by former Montana 4-H director, Todd Kesner. What began as a Montana 4-H Project has since grown into a national program. Registered 4-H members ages 9-19 are challenged to participate in three areas: Shooting, Western Heritage Education, and Public Presentation. This year's event also welcomed guests from Flathead County, who attended to observe the program as they work to reestablish a Western Heritage program in their county.

Congratulations to this year’s five category winners: Leah Paulson for Senior Central Fire, Gibson Franks for Senior Rimfire, Hannah Meyer for Intermediate Rimfire, and Josiah Bacon and Owen Morris for the Junior.

A special thank you goes to the Sun River Rangers Shooting Association and Scott Francis with the State 4-H Center for their support in making this event a success. 4-H Members and volunteers interested in becoming involved in the Western Heritage program can contact Brian Bedord at 406-590-9092 for more information.

• Record Books are due to your club leaders in August. After review at the club level, each club can put forward their top three books per age division for quality judging at the county level.

• Need help with your 2025-2026 Record Book?

  Come to the Extension Office and we will work with you one on one to complete your record book.Please call the Extension Office to schedule a time so that we can give you the attention you need.

• Teton County 4-H Policy: A complete Record Book must be submitted (electronically via Zsuite or on paper) each year in order for 4-H members to exhibit, show or sell at next year's Fair.A variance request will need to be submitted before June 1, 2027 if you were unable to complete your Record Book by your Club’s due date.

2027 4-H Camp Needs Adult Volunteers!

Livestock Awards

Beef:

• Senior Showmanship

  Grand- Katy Morris

  Reserve-Jorja Morris

• Junior Showmanship

  Grand- Keaton Cherry

  Reserve-Liam Drumm

• Pre-junior Showmanship

  Grand-Aliya Grubb

  Reserve- Cru Davis

• Market Beef

  Grand-Keaton Cherry

  Reserve-Katy Morris

• Beef Breeding

  Grand-Aliya Grubb

  (Heifer over 1 and under 2 years)

  Reserve- Katy Morris

  (Heifer over 1 and under 2 years)

Swine:

• Senior Showmanship

  Grand-Jack Toeckes

  Reserve-Katy Morris

• Junior Showmanship

  Grand-Owen Morris

  Reserve-Keaton Cherry

• Pre-junior Showmanship

  Grand-Sawyer Clark

  Reserve-Zane O’Haire

• Market Swine

  Grand-Zane O’Haire

  Reserve-Katy Morris

Lamb:

• Senior Showmanship

  Grand-Jack Toeckes

  Reserve-Katy Morris

• Junior Showmanship

  Grand-Owen Morris

  Reserve-Keaton Cherry

• Pre-junior Showmanship

  Grand-Sawyer Clark

  Reserve-Zane O’Haire

• Market Swine

  Grand-Zane O’Haire

  Reserve-Katy Morris

Goat:

• Senior Showmanship

  Grand-Chase Harlow

• Junior Showmanship

  Grand-Liam Drumm

• Pre-junior Showmanship

  Grand-Kinder Collins

• Market Goat

  Grand-Liam Drumm

  Reserve-Chase Harlow

Poultry

• Junior Showmanship

  Grand-Lily Carlson

  Grand-Hannah Meyer

  Reserve- Sawyer Scott

   

• Pre-junior Showmanship

  Grand-Ellie Sweetman

  Reserve-Charles Chesser

   

• Poultry Conformation

  Grand Dual Breed-Lily Carlson

  (Rhode Island Red)

  Grand Ornamental Breed-Hannah Meyer

  (Silver-laced Polish)

  Grand Egg Breed-Sawyer Scott

  (Lavender Orpington)

  Grand Meat Breed-Charles Chesser

  (Cornish Cross Broiler)

  Grand Bantam Breed-Ellie Sweetan

  (Silky Bantam)

Dog:

• Showmanship

  Grand-Harper Hirst

  (Miniature Dachshund)

  Reserve-Billy Banner

  (Border Collie)

   

• Obedience

  Grand-Ariana Banner

  (Border Collie)

  Reserve-Harper Hirst

  (Miniature Dachshund)

Cat:

• Showmanship

  Grand-Ayden DeBruycker

Rabbit:

• Senior Showmanship

  Grand-Elizabeth Williams

  (Silver Fox)

  Reserve-Aubrie Williams

  (Silver Fox)

   

• Junior Showmanship

  Grand-Alisha Williams

  (Holland Lop)

   

• Rabbit Conformation

  Grand-Alisha Williams

  (Californian)

  Grand-Aubrie Williams

  (Silver Fox)

  Grand-Elizabeth Williams

  (Champagne d’Argent)

Round Robin:

• Senior Showmanship

  Katy Morris

   

• Junior Showmanship

  Keaton Cherry

   

• Pre-junior Showmanship

  Aliya Grubb

Relive the Fair

Share the Memories! See more pictures from Fair and share your own pictures on PhotoCircle.

Click the link below to gain access to the album!

Join the Photo Circle, it's easy!

• Click the link- Use the link to join our PhotoCircle album.
• See and share photos- View all the amazing Fair photos and upload your own!
• Keep the memories going- The more we share, the more memories we all get to enjoy!

Click Here or go to https://join.photocircleapp.com/VB7XMFX4BX to see the Fair Photo Album

A Letter of gratitude

Teton County livestock members, families, and supporters,

As I’ve had the last month following our fair to reflect on the week, I am still filled with so much pride. I saw many good things; teamwork among members and adults, handshakes, smiles, and laughter. Bringing the youth of the county together takes a village of volunteers, extension staff, supporters, donors, and families. I believe Teton County certainly has the best village, and I am thankful to be a part of it.I hope you all can find some pride as well. The steers were the best set of market steers we’ve had since I’ve been a volunteer, top to bottom. Our market lamb program keeps growing and was also the best set of lambs we’ve had. The pigs were fed well, kept a good weight, and you could see how much they had been worked with. Our goat members showed up and showed well.We also said goodbye to some top notch senior livestock members this year. It has been so much fun watching them give advice, help the younger members, and develop into good people. I wish them the best of luck and will miss them in the show ring. With a grateful heart, I want to thank you all, encourage you to keep working hard, and look forward to next year.

Ashle Morris

Livestock Committee President

4-H Fair Lost and Found

Call the Extension Office if you recognize any items. Unclaimed items will be donated after August 31.

• Sweatshirts
• T-shirts
• Cup
• Hats
• Belt
• Lead Rope

Driven to Lead, Montana 4-H Congress

Anna Paulson, Seeley Neal, and Izzy Cornelius accompanied by Carli Neal as chaperone attended Montana 4-H Congress in Bozeman on July 7-9, 2026. They joined youth from across the state on the Montana State University campus to compete in contests, workshops, entertainment, social events, and much more.

About 4-H Congress

• A three-day event held each summer on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman.
• Open to youth ages 13-18 who are 4-H members or junior or teen leaders.
• A chance to learn new skills, showcase talents, make new friends, and bulld leadership experience.
• Youth help plan and lead the event through the Congress Planning Committee.

Get Involved

Talk to your 4-H leader or Extension office to learn more about attending 4-H Congress and how you can be part of this exciting experience!

Congress Highlights

• Contests: Compete in individual and team contests that showcase your skills.
• Workshops: Explore new topics, build knowledge, and gain confidence.
• Entertainment: Enjoy dances, talent shows, games, and fun activities.
• Friendships:Connect with youth fromacross Montana and createlasting memories.

Learn more about 4-H Congress and view contest categories at: https://montana.edu/extension/4h/programs_and_events/events/mt_4h_congress/index.html

Make it with Wool

TheMake It With Wool contest is held annually across the US. Winners from each state get the opportunity to compete at the National Competition. The contest promotes the beauty and versatility of wool fibers by having entrants of all ages create garments by sewing, knitting, crocheting, or felting. Garments are judged based on quality and marketability.

Contact Us!  MSU Extension Teton County

• Mailing Address:  PO Box 130, Choteau, MT 59422
• Phone:  466-2491/2492 (phone/voicemail)
• Email:  teton@montana.edu (send club minutes, most questions/issues)
• Text only:  406-530-5373 (checked M-F, 8-5)
• https://teton.msuextension.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/TetonCoExt
• http://montana4h.org/

Fair Dates

The Teton County Fair is scheduled for the last full weekend in June that includes a Sunday.

2027    June 21-27

Camp Dates

2027   July 12-14

4-H Congress Dates, Bozeman

2027   July 14-17

Agents:

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

Assistant:

Danae Isakson and 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