4-H Youth Development

Program Contact

Amy Alder, 4-H Program Manager
509-962-7565 • amy.alder@wsu.edu

Welcome to Kittitas County 4-H!

4-H is the youth development education program of Washington State University Extension, which is conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, your state land grant university (WSU) and Kittitas County. Today 4-H is everywhere–in cities, suburbs, small towns, and rural communities. The first 4-H Club in Kittitas County started in 1919! In the 21st century, 4-H serves a broad clientele with an expanded program using a variety of ways to “learn by doing.”

Who can join 4-H?

4-H is open to every youth, ages 5-19, without discrimination!

There are four age groups* in which you can do a wide variety of projects and activities:

Cloverbuds: ages 5-7
Junior: ages 8-10
Intermediate: ages 11-13
Senior: ages 14 to less than 19

*Shooting sports and large animal projects require youth to be at least 8 years of age on October 1st to participate.

How to Join 4-H

Enrollment begins October 1, 2026! To participate in the 2027 Kittitas County Fair, enroll in 4-H by February 1, 2027.

Decide on a Project

There are numerous different project opportunities for 4-H members to participate in! Popular projects in Kittitas County are: Livestock (Beef, Goat, Sheep, Swine), Horse, Rabbit, Poultry, Cat, Dog, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Foods/Baking, Sewing, Shooting Sports (Archery, Riflery, Shotgun), and Motorcycle/Dirt Bike.

Choose a 4-H Club

Kittitas County 4-H currently has 18 clubs. Each club offers certain projects. Once you know the project you are interested in, please contact the Extension Office at kittitas.4h@wsu.edu or (509) 962-7507 to get the name and contact information of the club(s) that offer the projects you are interested in.

Once you have chosen your projects and gotten approval from the club’s leader, you will enroll using the 4-H Online system.

The $25 per member State 4-H Enrollment Fee will be covered by Kittitas County 4-H Council. When enrolling, choose the check payment option to submit your enrollment. You will receive an automated email asking you to bring payment into the office-disregard that message. No fees will be collected from members.

If you would like to start your own 4-H Club, please contact the Extension Office for more information!

Kittitas County 4-H Projects and Programs Overview