Features
Support the Washington State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Today!
The agricultural community is small in numbers but feeds the world. The 4-H youth who participate in this statewide event on June 29th are eager for opportunities, and this will set the stage for the knowledge and understanding of sustainable food animal production. Engaging youth when we can—in a content area that appeals to them—is key to sustaining a workforce interested in contributing to agriculture. This is one of those opportunities.
There are many ways you can support this amazing event, whether through a monetary donation or on-the-ground support. For more information, check out the flyer below or contact Denise Echelbarger at denise@wsu.edu or 509-335-3653.
Scholarship Opportunity from Independent Professional Seed Association
The Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) is excited to announce the opening of its scholarship application period for the 2024/2025 academic year. In collaboration with the IPSA Education Committee, the IPSA Board will award scholarships of up to $4,000 to students pursuing studies in agriculture.
Applicants should note that, in addition to the online application, they must upload their most recent transcripts and two letters of recommendation in PDF format. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 30. To apply or get more information, visit the application website at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024IPSAScholar.
From the State 4-H Fair Manager’s Desk:
Greetings 4-H Families and Faculty! I am finishing up building the Washington State 4-H Fair in Fair Entry and I understand that there are a lot of questions. I’m hoping to be able to answer a few questions here.
Once all the classes are built in the Fair Entry, county fairs that also use Fair Entry will have the opportunity to integrate the classes. I recommended that counties that wish to integrate do so after they have finalized their county fair this year. Integrating this spring will interfere with their classes and premium points already uploaded into Fair Entry. Once a county integrates with the State 4-H Fair, they will be able to click a button to promote to the State Fair.
Counties that do not use Fair Entry for their county fairs will not be required to install or use the program. The members from those counties will enter their classes that they have qualified to show in through Fair Entry. I will be interfacing 4-H Online with Fair Entry so families can use their 4-H Online login and password to enter Fair Entry. This will also bring over all the family’s address, email and phone number, youth members, animals, and projects. All I will need from the county extension office is a round-up form telling me who qualified to represent their county at the State Fair. These will be very similar to the round-up forms that were used in the past.
All 4-H members who qualify to participate in the State 4-H Fair will be required to enroll in 4-H Online. Please make sure that you have added all projects that you wish to participate in. If you wish to enter a baked good, make sure that Baking is added to your 4-H enrollment. I will be adding as many projects as I can to all the classes in Fair Entry. We will show you how this works in the next zoom.
As we get closer to the State Fair, I will be posting guidance on how to enter classes in Fair Entry and hold Zoom meetings for all the 4-H volunteers, members, and staff members.
Please feel free to reach out if you have other questions.
Kellian Whidden
State Fair 4-H Manager
kellian.st4hfair@gmail.com
Introduction to Seed Starting Workshop
Hosted by the WSU Extension Thurston County 4-H Youth Development Program this workshop will teach how to start garden plants from seed. This workshop will include a “make and take home” seed planting activity. There will also be a discussion about planting in containers and garden beds appropriate for urban/small spaces. Participants are also invited to tour the 4-H garden beds at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. This class will be IN PERSON.
What: Seed Starting Workshop
When: Sunday, 4/21/24, 1 to 3 p.m.
Who: K-12 grade youth, 4-H and FFA members, and their adult mentors.
Where: Thurston County Fairgrounds, specific building and parking instructions will be shared with pre-registered participants.
Cost: Suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family
Parents/guardians, advisors, and/or 4-H club leaders are encouraged to attend with youth participants to help supervise and support learning after the workshop. The general public (not enrolled in 4-H) is welcome to attend.
Pre-Registration Required. Please e-mail: tc4h@co.thurston.wa.us
Pre-register by 4/19/24 with youth and adult participant names, club or chapter name, and youth ages. Note: a 4-H parent permission form will be required at check-in for those not enrolled in Thurston County 4-H.
Washington 4-H Equine Program Rule Book – Slight Revision
The Washington 4-H Equine Rule Book has some slight revisions and has been re-posted to the “horse page” located on the WSU 4-H Animal Science website under horse and then to WA State 4-H Equine Polices and Rules. Any changes/revisions are noted in blue font.
As stated in previous announcements this replaces the PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide-PNW 574, effective March 1, 2024.
This is truly the final rulebook for the rest of the 4-H program year.
If there is interest in proposing rule changes, please submit them to the Qualtrics survey by July 1st. The link is here: https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_es1ALiKhrX1J9Yy
Please share this new information with your 4-H parents, members, and others involved in the Washington 4-H horse program including your 4-H judges that may have already been secured for judging your county 4-H horse events.
For questions about the process of submitting rule book changes or clarifications on the rules, please contact Jennifer Leach, State 4-H Equine specialist either at jleach@wsu.edu or LeachJ@cowlitzwa.us.
Updated April 16, 2024