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.


I hope you all had a relaxed holiday season and ready for the
new year and new 4-H goals!


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. Details will be firmed up as time gets closer. 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.

Montana 4-H Leadership
Academy Monthly Zoom
Meetings, 6 - 7 p.m.
January 11 - Planning and Running a Project
Leadership Academy Monthly Workshops
Members 12+, 4-H Age, join the Montana 4-H Leadership Academy workshop on Sunday afternoons in
2025-2026 4-H year. The leadership academy is a network of Montana 4-H members interested in
exploring and developing their own leadership skills while serving their county 4-H program in new
ways. Each month the officer team members will present a different workshop topic that they have
found to be important as they have grown their own leadership abilities. This workshop should be
paired with a local county leadership meeting to work on county projects that serve the local 4-H
program and community.
The workshops will be focused on basic leadership skills to get 4-H'ers more prepared as they move into
larger and more demanding leadership roles, like camp counselors, teen leaders and county
ambassadors.
Register for the link at https://montana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NR9vgT1Tw0c3xI.

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.

Help Needed
The Montana’s Next Generation Conference is Saturday, January 31 in Shelby and typically attracts
around 250 farmers and ranchers. Help is needed for various tasks that may include stuffing folders
Friday morning, January 30 in Cut Bank, helping set up tables and chairs and decorating Friday
afternoon in Shelby (approximately 2 - 5 p.m.), and babysitting, clean up, etc. Saturday, January 31
during the conference. Any help would be very much appreciated. It can be signed off on for
community service hours or individuals can be paid for their help. Please let Kari know if you’re
available to help any of these times.

3D Archery Match- January 17, 2026 @PSSC 9am-5pm
The Pondera Schooting Sports Complex and Pondera 4-H Shooters invite you to come to an indoor 3D
Archery Match at the Pondera Shooting Sports Complex. It is open to youth and adults. There are arm
guards and fingers for youth to use at this competition.
Attached is an entry form. You can pre-register for specific times and prepay or pay on site. Time slots
are first come, first served. Same day registration accepted on spaces available per time slot.
It'll be a fun time and a great way to beat winter's cabin fever.
Bring a friend and join in the fun, feel free to share with people who may be interested.

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.
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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

Marias Fair Archery Shoot
The Marias Fair Archery Tournament/Invitational is live on Bowscore. Please see the two links below.
The Tournament is Sunday, February 1st. Be sure to read all the information before signing up.
Direct Link to Marias Fair Invitational- https://bowscore.com/tournaments/marias-fair-invitational-
2026#/
Main Tournament page search for Marias Fair Invitational- https://bowscore.com/tournaments#/
A late registration fee will be added for all registrations after January 28, 2026.
On 10 AM Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Exhibit Building storage area we will need 4-6 people with pickups
for chairs, tables and archery blocks. Probably helpful if people have some ratchet straps, too. Then off
to the middle school to set everything up. Takes about 2 hours total. Proceeds shared between the
counties who show up to help.
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Also, North 40 approached Brent and they donated 4-5 prizes that will be raffled off. $2 per ticket or 3
tickets for $5. Prizes will be drawn after the awards ceremony. The money will go to one of our
counties archery clubs to get archery equipment.

Marias Fair Archery Shoot Directions
Please read all directions before you register. You must choose a line time. There are two payment
options: 1) Online through Bowscore with credit card payment as you register, or 2) Pay by cash or
check sent to: Toole County Extension Office, Attn Kim Woodring at 226 1st Street South, Shelby, MT
59474. Please make checks payable to Blazing Arrows. You must register through Bowscore
regardless of payment.
The Marias Fair Invitational shoot is for 4-H archers from across the state on February 1st, 2026. The
shoot is located at 133 6th Ave S, Shelby MT, 59474 (The Old Middle School).
Please note: 4-H members in Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, and Toole Counties participating in the Fair
Shoot must include payment by Wednesday, January 28th deadline. The cost is $15 per event shot, a
late registration fee will be added for all registrations after January 28, 2026.Invitational shooters (not
from Pondera, Toole, Glacier, or Liberty County) can continue to register after the 28th, with a $5 late
fee will be charged ($20 per event in total). Registration is open during the shoot based on line
availability. 

Marias Fair competitors (Glacier, Liberty, Toole, and Pondera County archers) MUST COMPLETE an
INTERVIEW to receive awards. Registration and payment for Marias Fair competitors is due by January
28th, NO EXCEPTIONS!! Late registration is not allowed for Marias Fair shooters, but you may register
for the invitational along with the other counties after the 28th and will not be eligible for Marias Fair
awards.
Please arrive to check in a half hour before shooting time or sooner.
Competitor's age is calculated as of October 1, 2025.
General: No flash photography during rounds. Set cell phones to silent ring or shut them off. Noncompetitors
must remain in designated spectator areas. Range commanders and event leaders have
ultimate authority on ranges. Notify range commanders of any problems or questions as soon as
possible. OBEY ALL CEASE FIRE COMMANDS IMMEDIATELY. By registering you agree to all rules as set
forth in this application.

Archery Events
We will be shooting top and bottom rotation on all bales. Shooters will move from top/bottom and
bottom/top after the fifth end. Bottom targets shoot during the first 2.5 min. Then top will get called to
the line and given 2.5 minutes to shoot their end. All 10-meter archery rounds will consist of two
practice ends plus 10 scored ends of three arrows each. Each end will be 2.5 minutes long. For all
events, Montana 4-H Archery Rules will be followed for equipment (including arrow specs), archery
events, and safety rules, including no drawdowns – bow must be drawn with arrow remaining level or
lower. It is the responsibility of each archer to know and abide by the rules. Sight length shall be
measured from the mounting screws to the sight pin or aperture. Stabilizers shall be measured from
the point of attachment, including V-bar. Arm guards must be properly worn by all competitors. We will
follow Montana 4-H Archery Rules R15.

Bow Divisions:
Primitive Bow (PB): Longbow or recurve bow with finger release and no sights or stabilizers.
Bare Bow (BB): Any bow with finger release and no sights. A single straight 12" maximum stabilizer is
allowed.
Limited Bow (LB): Any bow with finger release and fixed sights of 5" or less. Sights adjustable without
the use of tools, sight extensions or scopes are not allowed. No sight may be adjusted once the scoring
has begun. A single straight 12" maximum stabilizer is allowed.
Bow Hunter (BH): Any compound bow with release aid and fixed sights of 5" or less. Sights adjustable
without the use of tools, sight extensions or scopes are not allowed. No sight may be adjusted once
the scoring has begun. A single straight 12" maximum stabilizer is allowed.
Unlimited Bow (UB): Any compound bow with release aid, stabilizer of any length, V-bar and/or any
sight including movable sights or scopes with written information. (Lasers and sight lights not
permitted.) Sight may be adjusted anytime during the round, but only by the archer.
Olympic Recurve (OR): Recurve bow with finger release, clickers, kisser button, V-bars, stabilizers of
any length, and/or a single movable sight, written information allowed. Sight may not incorporate a
prism, lens, or leveling device. Sight may be adjusted anytime during the round, but only by the archer.
String peeps are not allowed.

JANUARY
1st & 2nd- Office Closed
4th- West Butte Club Meeting
8th- West Butte Cloverbud meeting 5:30 @ Sunburst Library
11th- Kountry Kids Meeting 2pm @ Exhibit Building
17th- 3D Archery Shoot in Conrad 9am-5pm @PSSC
19th- Office Closed- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
21st- Cloverbuds after school- 5pm @ Elementary Cafeteria
26th- Food Booth Meeting 7pm @ MRE
28th- Livestock Committee Meeting 7pm @ MRE
28th- Registration Deadline for the Marias Fair Archery Tournament
31st- Montana’s Next Generation Conference

FEBRUARY
1st- Marias Fair Archery Shoot
2nd- Horse Committee Meeting 6pm @ MRE
6th- Camp Counselor Applications Due
7th- In-person and postal mail in competition at the PSSC in Conrad.
16th- Office Closed- President’s Day