Local 4-H clubs ready for fair week

MISSOULA - From photography to market animals with a bit of everything in between, 4-H clubs in Potomac and Seeley Lake have their projects ready for the 2020 Western Montana Fair Aug. 2 - 8. All animal projects will be shown by the 4-H members and judged before and during fair week. However, the public is not allowed to attend due to COVID-19. Judging of non-animal projects will take place during fair week in the exhibit building without public attendance. The Livestock sale will be Aug. 8 for buyers only.

Animal projects from Seeley Lake and Potomac include beef, sheep, poultry, goat, hog, horse and rabbit. Non-animal projects include woodworking, photography, vet science, citizenship, forestry and cake decorating.

Some horse projects showed July 19, 25 and 26. Animal projects will show in the ring and be judged in-person on the specified date. 4-H members will bring their project animal the day of that particular animal show and leave the fairgrounds afterwards. The barns and show ring will be closed to the public.

The Seeley Lake Trailblazer's sole member sophomore Danielle Sexton is showing her Grey Angus and Maine Anju cross steer named Pickles. This is her fourth beef project since she began 4-H as a Cloverbud when she was five-years-old.

"This year I was fortunate to be able to pick the most amazing steer from Two Creek Ranch," wrote Sexton who added all her steers have come from Two Creek Ranch. "He has been very easy to halter break and work with."

Sexton said when school was closed due to COVID-19, she used her extra time to work with Pickles. She continues to work with him every day brushing him and working on his show ring skills.

"He loves being played with, is very social and loves attention," wrote Sexton.

Potomac 4-H members Animal Projects (interviews July 14, 30 & 31):

Horse (July 19, July 25 & July 26 and by Sept. 30): Emma Richardson, Jenna Schultz, Bowen Olson and Katrina Olson.

Goat (Aug. 2): Gracelynn Knapp, Haley Helena and Maliya Larson

Poultry (Aug. 3): Callum Waletzko

Rabbit (Aug. 3): Maliya Larson

Sheep (Aug. 4): Brayden Cooney, Ashbeigh Hall, Kyla Nelson and Leah Nelson

Market Hog (Aug. 5): Sawyer Cooney and Milly France

Beef (Aug. 6): Layne Cooney, Ashbeigh Hall, Jenna Schultz and Colter Schultz

Livestock sale (Aug. 8): Open to buyers only

Potomac 4-H Non-animal Projects (interviews Aug. 1):

Woodworking: Layne Cooney

Vet Science: Haley Helena, Kyla Nelson and Leah Nelson.

Forestry Project: Haley Helena

Photography: Sawyer Cooney, Haley Helena and Kyla Nelson.

Baking projects: Brayden Cooney and Emma Richardson

Sexton along with many of the Potomac Valley 4-H members with market animals will be selling their projects at auction Aug. 8. Livestock buyers need to be registered by Aug. 5.

Animals are sold by the live weight. In addition to the cost of the animals, the purchaser is responsible for the cost of the butcher and cutting and wrapping.

If interested in helping the 4-H member, but do not want to buy the animal, you can "bump" an animal's sale price by adding a fixed or per pound dollar amount to the sale price. For more information on this option contract Autumn Gilleard at 406-544-5300 or email Autumn.Gilleard@wmfls.org

The 4-H member receives the proceeds from their sale. Many often use the money raised to cover the cost of their animal and feed and/or put it towards college or purchasing another animal for a project next year.

For more information about the projects, results, or the livestock sale visit https://www.missoulaeduplace.org/eventshtml