Hello 4-H Families!
Happy New Year!! There is a lot of information included in this
month’s newsletter so please be sure to read through it all.


New Year, New Goals! Project books are here and ready to be
picked up in the Extension Office. Please stop by and get them
so you can get a head start on working on your projects.


We are still needing a couple of Toole County Day Chairs for the
Marias Fair this year. If you are interested at all, this is a paid
position. If you need more information, please contact the
Extension office. We cannot run the food booth without our day
chairs!


The 4-H camp counselor application is included with the
newsletter so be sure to check if you are eligible to be a
counselor. It is so much fun and a great experience for young
leaders.


If you haven’t paid for your 4-H member’s registration, please
remember to do so. Reminders will go out soon to those who
haven’t paid yet. Thanks!


Sincerely,
Kim & Jackie

FSA Youth Ag Loans
If you are looking for a way to finance your 4-H projects for this year (or wanting to take on a larger
livestock project), consider visiting with the Farm Service Agency. They recently increased the loan limit
to $10,000 and funds can be used for the purchase of animals, feed, supplies, etc. Youth between the
ages of 10 and 20 are eligible. Loans are repaid annually and can be termed out for up to seven years
for the purchase of breeding stock. Interest rate is 4.875%.

MRLA Free Membership
Marias River Livestock Association is now offering FREE membership to those who are members of our
local 4-H & FFA!
Follow this link to join: http://mariasriverlivestock.com/plans-pricing

2026 Don Greytak Calendars
The Toole County Extension Office is selling Greytak Calendars. They are $15 each! We have eight
calendars left.

Livestock Committee Update
Members who show multiple market animals at the fair will be able to pay $50/each to have those
additional animals shipped with the fair animals and participate in the carcass contest, have processed
meat returned on the truck, etc. Example- 4-Her shows a steer and lamb, and sells the steer. They can
have the lamb go on the truck, participate in the carcass contest, etc. for the $50 fee. Livestock
members who are in this situation will have the opportunity to select this option on FairEntry when
they sign up for a market animal show.
Please note, your private treaty buyer or you would be responsible for all processing fees. The $50 fee
and the buyer information must be turned in to Jesse Fulbright on Saturday night of the sale in order
to be included in animal transport.

In- Person and Mail in Competition for Archery, Air Rifle and Pistol
We are hosting an In-Person and Mail In competition on Saturday, February 7 at the PSSC in Conrad.
Youth may compete in person or mail in completed score sheet for archery or Orion targets for Air rifle
or air pistol. Anyone needing Orion targets may request them from me or our office by email or phone.
Coach Joel Farkell will have Orion targets at the Helena Competition this weekend for people who will
be there.
th
Due to regular mail slowing down, encourage participants to plan ahead to make sure the entries,
especially for the postal targets/score sheets to arrive at our office by February 6th.
We thank everyone for their past support and are looking forward to another fun event! IF anyone has
questions, please reach out to me or Joel Farkell.
For scheduling questions: Pondera County Extension office - 406-271-4054 or pondera@montana.edu
For tournament information: Joel Farkell, Tournament Coordinator at 406-581-6243

Montana 4-H Rec Lab - Save the Date
March 27-29, 2026- Columbus, MT
This year’s Rec Lab will include a county tour and a trip to Montana Silversmith’s Outlet Store. We plan
to share lots of Stillwater County educational opportunities with you. More info to come!

Montana 4-H Rec Lab Workshop Proposals Needed
This year’s theme: “4-H Escape: Do You Have the Skills to Unlock Your Potential?”
Bring your creativity and skills to life with a workshop that challenges participants to grow in
leadership, communication, and team-building — the core of Rec Lab’s mission!
Workshop proposals will be submitted through Google Forms at the link here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcMYQsAHodX-ry3QCHU8g
71JWZSvfSVSW8BS0YjvlSOZIQ/viewform?usp=dialog
Deadline to submit proposals is Monday, January 5, 2026. They have extended the deadline.
Both teens and adults (4-H volunteers, Extension professionals, community members & people
from other organizations) are encouraged to submit workshop proposals. Please share with those
who might be interested in presenting from your communities!

Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications - Seniors and College Students
The Montana 4-H Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for secondary education.
These scholarships are available to both high school graduating seniors and current
undergraduate college students.
Important Dates:
An email was sent through ZSuite on December 9, 2025.
Applications are due by February 14, 2026.
Visit: https://www.mt4hfoundation.org/scholarships.html and click on the “Application Platform”
tab to prep materials.
Application Link:
https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/Montana4HScholarship2026

Montana 4-H Foundation People Partner Grants
The Montana 4-H Foundation is excited to announce that People Partner Grants are now open for
applications! See details below as also on our website here:
https://www.mt4hfoundation.org/grants.html Please share with groups and individuals that may be
interested.
Grant Purpose
These grants provide incentives and financial support to groups and individuals for programs
that enhance the quality of living for people in their communities.
Application Deadline: February 14, each application is eligible for up to $500.
Eligibility
4-H groups and individual members may apply. Grants are also open to non-4-H youth groups
and individuals. Applications should meet the following criteria:
Youth should be involved in determining, planning, conducting, and evaluating the project.
Project will make it possible for individuals involved to accomplish something educational and
worthwhile that helps the target audience reach a higher quality of life.
There is community support and acceptance of the project, as evidence by "partners" listed in the
grant application, additional funding sources, and resource persons and agencies involved.
The project has lasting benefits. See grant application for more details.
Application Process
Complete the application online here:
https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/PeoplePartnerGrant2026

Marias Fair Stadium Cup Logo Contest 2026
We are taking submissions for this year’s Marias Fair Food Booth Cup Logo Submission deadline:
February 15 email, JPEG file to Lisa, lterry@montana.edu th Requirements: Must include the official 4-H
Logo If including county list, must include Blackfeet Reservation, Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, and Toole
Counties. Youth entries only.

Save the Date for 4-H Camp
4-H Camp will be June 24-26 in the Highwood Mountains for 4-Hers in 7 grade and under this year (no
cloverbuds). Counselors will go down 6/23 to prepare. Camp Counselor application materials will be
sent out with the newsletter for those senior members interested, applications will be due back Mid
February so please watch for more details.

2026 Blazing Arrows Marias Fair Archery Invitational Results
Sunday, February 1st, the Shelby Blazing Arrows 4-H Archery Club hosted the Marias Fair Archery
Invitational competition. We had a great turnout with 110 archers competing in the invitational from
around the state.
Our 40 Blazing Arrows archers have been practicing and preparing for this competition since October
when we started shooting and will continue until the Bozeman state 4-H shoot in March.
For the statewide invitational, 14 of our competitors brought home medals.
For Bowhunter 9-10 Oran Nelson took 1st, Rhylan Robison took 2nd, and Grayson Salois took 3rd. For
Bowhunter 11-12 Charis Mallett took 2nd. For Bowhunter 13-14 Bridger Ergenbright took 1st. For
Bowhunter 15-18 Wyatt Fix took 1st and Dylan Clark took 3rd.
For Unlimited 9-10 Oran Nelson took 1st, Rhylan Robison took 2nd, and Emalea Wahl took 3rd. For
Unlimited 13-14 Bridger Ergenbright took 1st. For Unlimited 15-18 Logan Nation took 1st and Dylan
Clark took 2nd.
For Primitive 9-10 Hadley Ergenbright took 1st.
Top Bowhunter score was Bridger Ergenbright. Top Unlimited score was Logan Nation.
The overall top score of the event was shot by Logan Nation that received a belt buckle.
The Four-County Marias Fair event consisted of Toole County, Glacier County, Pondera County, and
Liberty County. The archers completed their archery project interview at the event.
For Bowhunter 9-10 Oran Nelson took 1st and Grayson Salois took 2nd. For Bowhunter 11-12 Charis
Mallett took 1st. For Bowhunter 13-14 Bridger Ergenbright took 1st, Desirae Salois took 2nd, and Asher
Mallett took 3rd. For Bowhunter 15-18 Wyatt Fix took 1st and Dylan Clark took 2nd.
For Unlimited 9-10 Emalea Wahl took 1st. For Unlimited 11-12Wylie Frydenlund took 2nd. For Unlimited
13-14 Bridger Ergenbright took 1st. For Unlimited 15-18 Logan Nation took 1st , Dylan Clark took 2nd,
and Makenzie Kujava took 3rd.
For Primitive 9-10 Hadley Ergenbright took 1st.
Top Bowhunter score was Bridger Ergenbright and top Unlimited score was Logan Nation with them
receiving trophies.
Top Interviewers were Dylan Clark, Hadley Ergenbright, Scott Hall, and Bridger Ergenbright.
Special thanks to North 40 Outfitters Archery Department in Great Falls for sponsoring our competition
and inspecting the kid’s bows before they competed.
Blazing Arrows has about five weeks left before the state shoot in Bozeman. Then we will end the year
with a fun shoot and awards in March.

FEBRUARY
1st- Marias Fair Archery Shoot
2nd- Horse Committee Meeting 6pm @ MRE
4th- Cloverbuds after school- 5pm @ Elementary School Cafeteria
6th- Camp Counselor Applications Due
7th- In-person and postal mail in competition at the PSSC in Conrad.
8th- Kountry Kids Meeting 2pm @ Exhibit Building
11th- 4-H Council Meeting 6:30 @ Extension Office
15th- Deadline to submit Marias Fair Food Booth Cup Logo to Lisa
16th- Office Closed- President’s Day
18th- Cloverbuds after school- 5pm @ Elementary School Cafeteria

MARCH
1st- Marias Fair Air Rifle & Pistol Tournament- PSSC
1st- Camp Counselor Training Session 2pm in Chester
4th- Cloverbuds after school- 5pm @ Elementary School Cafeteria
8th- Kountry Kids Meeting 2pm @ Exhibit Building
15th- Livestock Committee scholarships due to Liberty County Extension Office
18th- Cloverbuds after school- 5pm @ Elementary School Cafeteria
24-26th- Rec Lab, Columbus MT
25th- Livestock Committee Meeting 7pm @ MRE
29th- West Butte Club Meeting 1pm