The impressive traditions of 4-H were on display at the Lincoln County Fair earlier this summer in Eureka.

Members of the local 4-H clubs in south Lincoln County, South 40 and Kootenai Kids and Kritters, had excellent showings at the fair at the end of August.

With the assistance of long-time 4-H participant Svetlana Harper, several club members shared their thoughts and future plans about their respective 4-H experiences.

Leah Matthews 

An experienced 4-H hand for the South 40 club, Matthews was a four-time Grand Champion in 2025.

She was a Grand Champion for showmanship steer and market steer, as well as a Grand Champion for showmanship senior swine and grand for WMSA heifer.

“I learned what it means to be responsible and how to manage money,” Matthews said. “Being able to raise animals and having great mentors to help me achieve my dream was very special.”

Leah said she is looking forward to her new steer calf and preparing for college. She has represented Lincoln County at the 4-H State Congress in Helena and was a Grand Champion with her hog in junior showmanship in 2024.

Kreutzer siblings: Abby, Elizah and Paisley

The Kreutzer family enjoyed a very successful year again.

Their 4-H involvement began in 2015 when Abby was 8 years old and they still lived in Washington state.

“Our 4-H group was called the "Silvana Lads and Lassie’s,” Megan Kreutzer, the trio’s Mom, said. “I did want to start when Abby was younger and it was something I've always wanted for my kids. My kids naturally loved animals and we like to farm and I thought it was a good fit. And It is now a part of who we are.”

For 17-year-old Abby Sue, who has been in 4-H for 10 years, she said she can’t imagine what her life would be like without 4-H.

“I have learned what it takes to be a good leader, talk in front of crowds, how to motivationally talk and many animal facts,” Abby said.”My favorite thing about 4-H is that I have all of those wonderful opportunities and next year I plan on being at either Flathead Valley Community College or Montana State University trying to get a degree in agriculture so that I can become a 4-H county agent.”

In 2025, Abby was a Grand Champion for rabbit showmanship, Reserve Champion for swine showmanship, Grand Champion for poultry. She also won the round robin and the Little Chief award.

Thirteen-year-old Elizah, 10 years in 4-H, is a Grand Champion for his rabbit.

“To be a part of 4-H means to be apart of something important, together with other youth, centered around animals and learning,” Elizah said. “I have learned to have more confidence and courage, to be more outspoken. And I have a lot of fun. My favorite things in 4-H are the fair and showing the animals! I also enjoy 4-H multi-county camp, monthly meetings with our potlucks.”

Elizah is hoping to go to State Congress for the first time as well as gaining more knowledge in his projects. He said he wants to be able to work with his pig and be even better for showmanship next year.

Ten-year-old Paisley has six years in 4-H. She was named the Reserve Champion for poultry and reserve champion for rabbit.

“Being a part of 4-H means a lot to me. I have made really good friends. I love my animals. It's hard work. And I always have a lot of fun with all the events. I have learned a lot about rabbits and poultry,” she said. “I've also learned to be a hard worker, specially with barn duty at fair. My favorite thing in 4-H is the fair! And everything we do at fair. My plan for next year is to get more poultry especially frizzle silky and Cochin bantams and maybe even polish, and keep them all alive.

Isabella Soileau, Libby South 40

Ten-year-old Isabella was a Grand Champion in junior sheep showmanship, Grand Champion breeding ewe, Grand champion junior poultry showman, third place open poultry showman and third place junior horse showman.

Soileau, who has three years in 4-H, said her time has taught her how to show livestock and small animals as well as taking care of them giving them a good life. 

“I enjoy learning about different projects, getting to show animals and she hopes to get better with pig showmanship and go to more jackpot shows with my sheep.”

Aryanah Smith, Troy’s Kootenai Kids and Kritters

Smith is 14 and has been in 4-H for half her life. 

Her swine earned her all blue ribbons and her horse earned her Grand Champion in sportmanship. 

“I got started because I was inspired by my cousin,” Smith said. ‘It's fun to be able to participate in all of the events and I have learned about a lot of pig and horse facts,” Smith said. “My favorite thing about 4-H is getting to raise an animal and my plans for next year are to work with my animals a bit more so then I can get a better ribbon.

Michael Gillespie

Sixteen-year-old Gillespie is in his fourth year in 4-H. He raised a Senior Grand Showmanship Goat and a Senior Grand Market goat. 

“I got started in 4-H three years ago when one of our club’s now graduated members Audrey Evans told me about the amazing club that our county has and told me I should try it out for a year.”

He said being part of 4-H has helped him learn a lot as well as participate in agriculture and the benefits it has for club members and the local communities. 

“My favorite thing about 4-H has been the experiences and the opportunities it has given and continues to give me,” Gillespie said. “As a senior this will be my last year in the club so I will no longer be participating in livestock events but I will still be continuing my non-animal projects.”

Parker Olson

Fourteen-year-old Parker enjoyed his fifth year in 4-H.

“My winnings be at fair were very exiting and I can’t believe how well I did with my first steer. I also won an award called heart of leadership and I won my first buckle for it. I was speechless about winning that it was the award I would have been most proud I to say I won and wearing that buckle will make me very proud of myself.”

Olson worked in beef breeding, beef market, hog market and archery. “I was motivated into 4-H by some friends that did it the year before and it no seemed like lots of fun and it is no the I best thing I have found to do for me so far,” he said.

Sylvia Hofer, Troy 

Sixteen-year-old Sylvia Hofer is a true 4-H veteran with 11 years under her belt.

She raised a Reserve Champion senior lamb showmanship and received the special sponsor award for her rabbit being the best fancy breed. 

Sylvia’s 4-h journey began in Wendell, Idaho when Shayna Wilks started up a 4-Hh program. 

“I think when you are in 4-H, you are apart of a family that is helping advocate for agriculture along with like-minded people that have the same values and interests,” Hofer said. “I’ve learned a lot about agriculture and how to properly care for an animal and raise market quality livestock.

“My favorite part of 4-H are the opportunities that are available to me, such as scholarships, state congress, Washington D.C. Ignite and all the leadership opportunities. I'm also very grateful for privilege of being able to raise my lambs going on six years.”

Hofer said she next year I do plan on continuing my 4h career with my lambs and my rabbits and I hope to continue gaining knowledge on my projects.”

    Lower 40 4-H member Abby Kreutzer shows off her Reserve Champion swine at the 2025 Lincoln County Fair. (Photo courtesy Svetlana Harper)
  

    Lincoln County 4-H members show off their rabbits at the county fair. (Photo courtesy Svetlana Harper)