Hello 4-H Families!

The 2025 Marias Fair 4-H Livestock auction was again phenomenal setting a new gross total and out averaging 2024 inthe swine, goat, and lamb categories!

Averages included:

47 steers at $6.81/lb.

5 goats at $19.60/lb.

15 lambs at $19.87/lb.

59 swine at $18.03/lb.

Gross - $751,971 on 126 head

The 2024 Marias Fair grossed $693,732 on 111 head. In 2023,the sale grossed $632,291 on 94 head. In 2024, 46 steers averaged $7.72/lb, 43 swine averaged $17.20/lb., 5 goats averaged $18.20/lb., and 14 lambs averaged $19.53/lb.Thank you to all the bidders, buyers, and community supporters who turned out for our 4-H youth!

It was another great year and I can’t wait to see how well you all did in your record books!

As always, please reach out if you have any questions at all!

Kim & Jackie

Meat Drop Off Wednesday

On August 13th we will be doing the meat pickup at the Exhibit Building at the fairgrounds around 2:30 PM and we would love some young, strong, 4-H bodies to help move some of the bags and boxes of meat! This is a great chance to thank your buyer in person. Please be there to help if you are able! Thanks!!

Shelby School Open House/Activity Fair

The Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce, MSU Toole County Extension & Shelby Public School District #14 have partnered to create a Family/Youth Activity Fair on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, starting at 5:00 PM during the School Open House, in the Shelby Elementary Gym. This is the 2nd annual time for this event. Last year was a great success and we look forward to another great year. Local groups or organizations are invited. The criteria is your organization must be family, youth or community oriented.If you're looking for activities to do in the Shelby Area, this event will be a great opportunity foryour organization to connect with local residents of Shelby, some of which may be new to the area. We encourage your attendance as an opportunity to talk about your organization to adults and children of Shelby. This will be an excellent way to connect within the community.There is no fee to attend, and tables and chairs will be provided. We expect all organizations to arrive between 4:00-4:30 PM to set up, so everyone is ready to go at 5:00 PM. Please contact the Toole County Extension Office with questions and/or if you would like toregister for this event. All participants need to be registered by August 19, 2025. We are looking forward to your attendance.

Record Books Due
Record Books and project books are due to leaders Friday August 15 . They can be turned in by
hand or turned in on Z-Suite. We will be printing off hard copies in the office and you will receive
your seal of completion and your end of year sticker for your certificate.

New 4-H Year
It is never too early to start thinking about the next year for 4-H. The new year starts on October 1st and you can check out the Clover guide to see what kind of projects you might be interested in taking next year!
https://store.msuextension.org/Products/4-H-Clover-Montana-4-H-Project-Selection-Guide-
2023-2024-5173__5173.aspx

How to Write a Good Thank You Note
A thoughtful thank you note goes a long way in showing appreciation. Whether someone has
supported your project, given you a gift, or volunteered their time, a well-written note leaves a
lasting impression. Here are a few tips for crafting one that’s heartfelt and memorable:


1. Start with a warm greeting
Begin with “Dear [Name],” to make it personal. Use their correct name and spelling—attention to
detail shows you care.


2. Say thank you right away
Get straight to the point. Let them know exactly what you’re grateful for:
“Thank you for purchasing my 4-H livestock project…”
“Thank you for your generous donation toward our fundraiser…”


3. Share the impact
Briefly explain how their gift, time, or support made a difference. This helps them see the value
of what they did.
“Your support helped me buy my first steer, and I’m learning so much about caring for cattle.”


4. Add a personal touch
Include a small detail, story, or future plan that connects them to your journey.
“I can’t wait to share updates from the fair this summer!”


5. Close with sincerity
End with a heartfelt sign-off such as “Sincerely,” “With gratitude,” or “Thanks again,” followed by
your name.


Example:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith,
Thank you for purchasing my 4-H livestock project at the fair this year. Your support allows me
to learn more about raising animals and develop important life skills. I truly appreciate your
generosity and look forward to making you proud in the show ring.
Sincerely,
Kim Woodring


Final tip: Handwritten notes often feel more personal than typed ones—plus, they’re more likely
to be kept and remembered.

2025 Marias Fair Awards 

Dylan Clark
Top Beef Interview
Top Swine Interview
1st Place Senior Swine Showmanship
Grand Champion Swine Showmanship
Reserve Champion Beef Breeding Animal
Reserve Champion Round Robin Showmanship


Liliana Denno
Best of Class Pre- Junior Babysitting Exhibit
Top Overall Pre-Junior Fashion Revue


Rebecca Enneberg
2nd Place Pre-Junior Rabbit Showmanship


Bridger Ergenbright
3rd place Junior Livestock Judging Individual
Top Junior Demo/Illustrated Talk- Friday
2nd place overall Demo/ Illustrated Talk
Top Junior Prepared/ Impromptu Speech
Grand Champion Hog Carcass


Hadley Ergenbright
Best of Class Poultry Exhibit
Top Poultry Interview
1st Place Pre- Junior Poultry Showmanship
Grand Champion Tom/Pullet Turkey


Wyatt Fix
1st Place Senior Livestock Judging Team


Brinlee Flesch
1st Place Junior Beef Showmanship
Reserve Champion Beef Showmanship
Grand Champion Market Beef


Jagger Flesch
1st Place Junior Swine Showmanship
Overall Swine Showmanship Runner up
Reserve Champion Bred Heifer Project

Lennon Flesch
3rd Place Pre-Junior Swine Showmanship


Paxton Flesch
Best Rate of Gain- Sheep
1st Place Senior Livestock Judging Team
Top Swine Interview
3rd Place Hog Carcass
3rd Place Sheep Carcass
Reserve Champion Market Lamb


Preslee Flesch
1st Place Senior Beef Showmanship
Grand Champion Beef Showmanship
Grand Champion Beef Breeding Animal
Top Breeding Heifer, Toole Co.
Overall Breeding Heifer
Grand Champion Bred Heifer Project
High % Black Angus Beef


Sam Flesch
Grand Champion Sheep Carcass


Grace Hemmer
Best of Class Junior Photography Exhibit
Overall Cat Project High Point Exhibitor
Best of Show Photography Exhibit
High Point Toole County
Grand Champion Junior Cat Showmanship
Reserve Champion Overall Cat Showmanship
1st Place Junior Poultry Showmanship
Reserve Champion Overall Poultry Showmanship


Moira Hemmer
2nd Place Longest Tail Cat Contest
3rd Place Pre- Junior Cat Showmanship
3rd Place Best Cat Costume
2nd Place Pre Junior Poultry Showmanship

Annika Isakson
Best of Class Senior Sheep Fleece Exhibit
Best of Class Senior Goat Exhibit
Best of Show Large Animal Exhibit
Most Promising Beginner- Goat
Senior Livestock Judging Team 1st Place
Senior MRLA Sheep Public Speaking Contest
Senior Demo/Illustrated Talk- Friday
Demo/Illustrated Talk Overall 1st place
Top Sheep Interview
2nd Place Senior Sheep Showmanship
Reserve Champion Sheep Showmanship
2nd Place Senior Market Goat Showmanship
Reserve Champion Market Goat Showmanship


Evan Isakson
1st Place Pre-Junior Swine Showmanship
1st Place Pre-Junior Sheep Showmanship


Aaron Isakson
Swine Herdsmanship Winner


Morgan Riphenburg
Best of Class Junior Sewing Exhibit
Top Overall Junior Fashion Revue
Reserve Champion Hog Carcass


Desirae Salois
Top Junior Demo/Illustrated Talk- Friday
2nd Place Overall Demo/Illustrated Talk
Top Junior Career Communications
Overall 3rd Place All other Categories
Top Photography Interview
Top Swine Interview


Kaley Sandon
2nd Place Junior Beef Showmanship

Corin Scarborough
Best of Class Senior Aerospace, Electricity Exhibit
Top Robotics Interview
Top Electricity Interview


Jadis Scarborough
Top Beef Interview
Top Horse Interview


Orion Vetch
Best of Class Pre-Junior Veterinary Science Exhibit
Best of Class Pre-Junior Leathercraft Exhibit
Best of Class Pre-Junior Poultry Exhibit
Best of Class Pre-Junior Swine Exhibit
Top Vet Science Interview
Top Leathercraft Interview
Top Swine Interview

4-H Congress
Kim and Annika Isakson attended the 4-H Congress in Bozeman! We had a great time staying on campus
and attending the workshops! Annika took in a fly tying workshop as well as some financial independence
workshops. Of course she enjoyed the dances in the evening too!

Fall Leadership Training
4-H Fall Leadership Training for teen leaders and county Ambassadors is November 7-9, 2025 in Butte at
the Copper King Hotel. Theme and schedule announced after team retreat September 12-14
More information can be found at
https://www.montana.edu/extension/4h/programs_and_events/events/fall_training/index.html


Fall Leadership Training is the annual leadership development retreat for Montana 4-H Ambassadors and Teen Leaders. The event is planned, implemented, and evaluated by the State Ambassador Officer Team. Youth will leave the weekend prepared and excited to take the knowledge and skills they have gained and apply them in their counties. It is also a great place to have youth leaders exchange ideas and create a statewide network of resources.

AUGUST
5th- Marias Fair Carcass Awards 6:30 @ Ambulance Barn
5th- Toole County 4-H Council Meeting 6pm @ Ambulance Barn
5th- Kountry Kids Club Meeting to follow Carcass Awards
5th- Blazing Saddles Club Meeting to follow Carcass Awards
7th- Market and Music 4-6pm @ City Park
13th- 4-H Meat Delivery 2:30pm @ Exhibit Building
14th- Market and Music 4-6pm @ City Park
15th- Record Books due to Club
21st- Market and Music 4-6pm @ City Park
22nd- Record Books due to Office
28th- Market and Music 4-6pm @ City Park

SEPTEMBER
1st- Labor Day- Office Closed
4th- Market and Music 4-6pm @ City Park
11th- Market and Music 4-6pm @ City Park