Mary Ophus won Best of Show for Amateur Photography at the Chouteau County Fair, above is her award winning photo.
Agriculture Department:
Youth Best of Show Herb Collection Joseph & Axel Brown
Top Gardener Chase Kolthoff
Adult Best of Show; Nancy Grossman in corn; Laurie Baumm in cabbage
Top Gardener Sandy Zanto in Vegetables and Jill Hillfill (grain and grasses)
1st place award for the Community Booth went to Shonkin Community, and 2nd place went to the Fort Benton Garden Club.
Welleune Flanagan, Superintendent of the Agriculture Department, wrote, "thanks to all the gardeners, in these tough times, who take the time and make an effort to prepare these Exhibits! Our judge this year was Lane Taylor, the FFA instructor at Big Sandy. He was exceptionally kind and professional. He knows his grains, grasses, and veggies!"
In photography, Bryanna Goodman won Best of Show Adult Pro Category, the Best of Show in the Adult Amateur. (See front page) Azzia Rowland received two Best of Show in the youth category for both black and white and color photography. She also won runner-up Best of Show in the color category.
Hanna Bach's Acrylic Painting, "Your New Boyfriend," received Best of Show
In-Home Arts Aubree Vischer won the Youth Best of Show for her Blue Jay Diorama, and Nancy Penwell took Best of Show Red Rosette for her Jewelry Collection. Katie Woodburn Best of Show Blue Rosette for her tatting Collection, Sandra Jones Blue Rosette Best of Show for her Eagle Beading Picture. Angie Hucke took Best of Show for her leather Moccasins, and Alix Reid took the Red Rosett for leather portfolio. Virginia Johnston received Best of Show for her crotched baby sweater.
In Family Living Ireland, Best of Show was won by the following youth-Ireland Bley for her chocolate chip cookies, Erika Goldhahn for her chokecherry Jelly, and Joseph Brown for his Lemon Bread. In the adult category, Best of Show was won by Susie Ripley for her Dill pickles, Nancy LaChapelle for her frosted white cupcakes and hard candy, and Vicky O'Hara won for her chokecherry Syrup.
2021 Chouteau County Fair – 4-H and FFA Results
4-H and FFA members from across Chouteau County had a very busy and successful 2021 Chouteau County Fair. 4-H and FFA members work hard in anticipation of this time of year.
The following is a list of those who received top awards at the 2021 Chouteau County 4-H and FFA Fair.
Top Cat Project – Emmery O'Hara – Sponsored by: Golden Harvest Seeds
Senior Cat Showman – no entries – Sponsored by: Highwood Veterinary Service
Junior Cat Showman – Jetta Hucke and Emmery O'Hara (tie) – Sponsored by: Chouteau County 4-H Council
Novice Cat Showman – no entries – Sponsored by: Anonymous
Top Rabbit Project – James Yirsa – Sponsored by: Jay & Patricia Eklund
Senior Rabbit Showman – no entries – Sponsored by: Rick & Kay Bailey
Junior Rabbit Showman – James Yirsa – Sponsored by: Chouteau County 4-H Council
Novice Rabbit Showman – Bailey LeFurgey – Sponsored by: Mary's Little Lambs
Grand Champion Doe – James Yirsa – Sponsor needed
Grand Champion Buck – Lexi Bahnmiller – Sponsor needed
Rabbit Pitchfork – Braxton Crowder – Sponsored by: Teton County Abstract
Senior Poultry Showman – no entries – Sponsored by: Clete & Mary Ophus
Junior Poultry Showman – Jaesun Yirsa – Sponsored by: Joyce Fuel & Feeds, Inc.
Novice Poultry Showman – Arrow Hucke – Chouteau County 4-H Council
Grand Champion Hen – Jaesun Yirsa – Sponsored by: Mountain View Co-op
Grand Champion Rooster – Jayton Ophus – Sponsored by: Jay & Patricia Eklund
Grand Champion Duck – Arrow Hucke – Sponsored by: Charles Good Ranch, Inc.
Grand Champion Drake – no entries – Sponsored by: Charles Good Ranch, Inc.
Poultry Pitchfork – Jayton Ophus – Sponsored by: Teton County Abstract
Senior Horse Showman – no entries – Sponsored by: Clete & Mary Ophus
Junior Horse Showman – Brinly Reid – Sponsored by: Rocking Diamond B Quarter Horses
Novice Horse Showman – Annie Johnson – Sponsored by: LA Land & Livestock
Junior Horseman Most Improved – Owen Starman – Sponsored by: MaxAg of Montana
Senior High Point Horseman – no entries – Sponsored by: Starman Family
Junior High Point Horseman – Taryn Reid – Sponsored by: Chouteau County Farm Bureau
Senior Best Fitted Horse – no entries – Sponsored by: Elk Run Ranch
Junior Best Fitted Horse – Melodie Starman – Sponsored by: Elk Run Ranch
Novice Best Fitted Horse – Ella Vrtis – Sponsored: Weaver Quarter Horses
Horse Herdsmanship – Stir, Stitch 'N' Stirrup 4-H Club – Sponsored by: LA Land & Livestock
Horse Pitchfork – Taryn Reid – Sponsored by: Weaver Quarter Horses
Grand Champion Market Sheep – Azzia Rowland – Sponsored by: Evers Ranch
Reserve Champion Market Sheep – Abigail Dines – Sponsored by: Stir, Stitch 'N' Stirrup 4-H Club
Senior Sheep Showman – Azzia Rowland – Sponsored by: Golden Harvest Seeds
Junior Sheep Showman – no entries – In Memory of Beverly Jean Brandt, Dean & Wendy Brandt
Novice Sheep Showman – no entries – Sponsored by: W Five Ranch
Sheep Herdsmanship – Geraldine FFA – Sponsored by: Kelly & Kristie Rutledge
Sheep Pitchfork – Azzia Rowland – Sponsored by: JoEllen Gasvoda
Grand Champion Market Swine – Jonna McCullough – Sponsored by: CHS – Big Sky – Geraldine
Reserve Champion Market Swine – Blake O'Hara – Sponsored by: Doug & Jackie Johnson
Senior Swine Showman – Jonna McCullough – Sponsored by: Golden Harvest Seeds
Junior Swine Showman – Alex Worrall – Sponsored by: Hi-Line Meats
Novice Swine Showman – Lauren Crowder – Sponsored by: W Five Ranch
Swine Herdsmanship – Sunshine Snippers 4-H Club – Sponsored by: Hi-Line Meats
Swine Pitchfork – Bailey LeFurgey – Sponsored by: JoEllen Gasvoda
Swine Pitchfork – Garrett LeFurgey – Sponsored by: Montana Overhead Door
Grand Champion Market Beef – Jacynta Bomgardner – Sponsored by: First Bank of Montana
Reserve Champion Market Beef – Jonna McCullough – Sponsored by: Pioneer Insurance Agency
Senior Beef Showman – Jonna McCullough – Sponsored by: Grass Farms
Junior Beef Showman – Alex Worrall – Sponsored by: Mike Lundy
Novice Beef Showman – Melodie Starman – Sponsored by: Bomgardner Catering
Beef Herdsmanship – Sunshine Snippers 4-H Club – Sponsored by: Highwood Veterinary Service
Beef Pitchfork – John Williams – Sponsored by: JoEllen Gasvoda
Top Black Angus Market Beef – Arrow Hucke – Sponsored by: Harrer's Lost Lake Ranch
Grand Champion Bred Sale Heifer – Jayton Ophus – Sponsored by: I X Ranch
Reserve Champion Bred Sale Heifer – Arrow Hucke – Sponsored by: Hi-Line Meats
Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair – Jacynta Bomgardner – Sponsored by: Hucke Land and Livestock
Reserve Champion Cow/Calf Pair – no entries – Sponsored by: Clete & Mary Ophus
Grand Champion Beef Breeding – Emmery O'Hara – Sponsored by: Streit Livestock
Reserve Champion Beef Breeding – Jacynta Bomgardner – Sponsored by: Bunkhouse Branding
Beef Breeding Herdsmanship – Arrowhead 4-H Club – Sponsored by: Hi-Line Meats
Senior Round Robin Showman – Jonna McCullough – Sponsored by: Morley Farms, Inc.
Senior Reserve Round Robin Showman – Azzia Rowland – Sponsored by: Willing Workers 4-H Club
Junior Round Robin Showman – Alex Worrall – Sponsored by: Mountain View Co-op
Junior Reserve Round Robin Showman – Brinly Reid – Sponsored by: Joyce Fuel & Feeds, Inc.
Project of Merit – Foods & Nutrition – Lexi Bahnmiller – Sponsored by: Helen Richter
Project of Merit – Animal Science – Melodie Starman – Sponsored by: SS Cattle Co.
Project of Merit – Engineering & Technology – Garrett LeFurgey – Sponsored by: EEZE Screed
Project of Merit – Needle Arts & Crafts – Lauren Crowder – Sponsored by: Jay & Patricia Eklund
Project of Merit – Leathercraft – Arrow Hucke – Sponsored by: Bunkhouse Branding
Project of Merit – Welding – Jayton Ophus – Sponsored by: Montana Metal Fabrications
Project of Merit – Textiles & Sewing – Lexi Bahnmiller – Sponsored by: In Memory of Joyce Fuhrman, Dean & Wendy Brandt
Project of Merit – Visual and Expressive Arts – Abigail Dines – Sponsored by: MaxAg of Montana
Project of Merit – Woodworking – Jayton Ophus – Sponsored by: Clete & Mary Ophus
Project of Merit – Communications – Ella Vrtis – Sponsor needed
Award winners will be presented their award items during an Awards Program on Sunday, October 3. Details will be coming out soon. Everyone is invited.
Three 4-H members entered seven handmade items in the Silent Auction. Lexi Bahnmiller entered three matted photographs raising $60. Lauren Crowder received $60 for her three knitted 100% cotton washcloths and Jayton Opus made a wooden side table which he received $100. We appreciate Susie Ripley, Willow Tinklenberg, Sheena Olson, Ella Vrtis, Marion Colling and Rhonda DeBorde for their support in purchasing these items.
The 2021 Chouteau County 4-H & FFA Livestock Sale was supported by 41 buyers for a total of $224,404.50 in proceeds.
Twenty market steers sold for a total of $104,276.25. The average price was $3.89 per pound. The Grand Champion steer, owned by Jacynta Bomgardner, sold to Rocky Mountain Truck Service. The Reserve Champion, belonging to Jonna McCullough, sold to IND Hemp.
The sale of thirty-two market swine totaled $105,666.50 with an average price per pound of $11.59. The Grand Champion swine, owned by Jonna McCullough, was sold to Lenington Farms. Shorty Harlow purchased Blake O'Hara's Reserve Champion.
Three market lambs averaged $9.75 per pound for a total of $4,661.75. Azzia Rowland's Grand Champion lamb sold to Joyco. The Reserve Champion lamb, owned by Abigail Dines, sold to Dillon Land and Cattle.
Three bred heifers were sold for a total of $9,800.00 with an average price of $3,266.67. The Grand Champion, owned by Jayton Ophus, was purchased by Hunter's Lair, LLC out of Williston, ND. The Reserve Champion bred heifer, owned by Arrow Hucke was sold to Joyce Fuel and Feeds, Inc.
Many buyers donated through the livestock resale process. Donations of $6,729.50 went toward building and equipment improvements through the resale of one beef, two swine, and one lamb. Donating businesses included Montana Flour and Grain, O'Hara Land and Cattle Co., and Western Ranch Supply.
Montana 4-H reaches 26,000 youth across the state in all 56 counties. 4-H combines tradition with cutting edge skills through hands-on learning empowering youth to lead for a lifetime. Members choose from a range of over 200 projects and learning experiences. Through these projects and experiences, members set goals, learn the skills needed to achieve goals, and demonstrate their skills at events such as county fairs, speaking contests and other competitions locally, statewide, regionally, nationally and internationally. For additional information, contact the Chouteau County Extension Office at 406-622-3751.
The Chouteau County Extension Office would like to thank everyone who supports the 4-H and FFA youth, not just during the fair but throughout the whole year. Parents, family members, volunteer leaders, 4-H and FFA alumni, community members, sponsors, donors, businesses and buyers – you are an integral part of these 4-H and FFA youths' educational experiences. Congratulations to all the Chouteau County 4-H and FFA members.
