WSU Extension Mason County Spring Report 2026

Washington State University Extension Mason County helps people put research-based knowledge to work, improving their lives, communities, and the environment.

To realize this mission, faculty and staff plan, conduct and evaluate research and experience-based educational programs to improve the lives of Mason County residents.

WSU Extension Mason County also employs the assistance of hundreds of volunteers and community partners and provides access to the resources available at Washington State University and the National Land Grant University Extension System.

Partnerships

Mason County and Washington State University have a long-standing partnership in providing educational programs and research-based information to residents throughout the county. This partnership ensures that resources are committed from Federal allocations and University funds to keep important educational programs available in Mason County.

• Early Learning Coalition
• Shelton Timberland Library
• Mason Conservation District
• Mason County Health Department
• Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group
• Hood Canal Coordinating Council
• School Districts—Shelton, Pioneer and Hood Canal
• Saints’ Pantry Food Bank
• Mason General Hospital
• Washington Conservation Corps
• South Sound Reading Foundation
• Mason County Therapeutic Court
• Community Services Offices
• Mason Matters
• Economic Development Council of Mason County
• Shelton Farmers Market
• United States Forest Service
• Washington State Parks
• Washington State Department of Agriculture

4-H Youth Development

Summer Camp Counselor Training Nearing Completion

Summer Camp Counselor training is well underway and nearing completion, bringing together over 30 teens from Mason and Grays Harbor Counties. Throughout the spring, youth participated in full-day trainings at the Extension Office, hands-on sessions at Panhandle Camp, and an overnight training experience to prepare for the upcoming summer season. This program continues to provide an invaluable opportunity for teens to build leadership skills, practice civic responsibility, and grow as role models for younger youth. As part of their training, counselors also gave back by volunteering at events held at Panhandle Camp, supporting the place that creates such meaningful experiences for them each summer.

Recognizing Outstanding 4-H Youth

This spring, Mason County 4-H had the honor of recognizing some of our most dedicated and accomplished youth at both a local Commissioner meeting and a celebration at the Extension Office. Our 2025–2026 Key Award winners were acknowledged for their consistent involvement, leadership, and growth throughout their 4-H careers. The Key Award represents the highest county-level achievement, recognizing youth who have demonstrated long-term commitment and have truly grown through the 4-H program.

National 4-H Conference & Youth Leadership in Action

Members of our Tech Changemakers (TCM) group traveled to Washington, D.C. this spring to attend the National 4-H Conference. While there, they not only participated in national-level programming but also served as workshop presenters, sharing their Dementia Friends initiative—an impactful program they lead locally to raise awareness and educate the community. In addition, we are proud to recognize the leadership of their adult volunteer and chaperone, who also presented at the conference, leading sessions focused on reflection, feedback, and the importance of personal growth within the 4-H experience.

First 4-H Open House a Success

The Mason County Extension Office hosted its first-ever 4-H Open House this spring, welcoming community members and families to learn more about local opportunities. Several clubs participated by hosting tables, sharing information about their projects, and connecting directly with potential new members. The event created a welcoming space for the community to engage with 4-H and explore how to get involved. We look forward to building on this success and seeing even more new faces at our next Open House this September.

4-H Council Leadership & Youth Representation

Mason County 4-H is proud to recognize the strength of our Council leadership, including the recent induction of teen leader and Tech Changemakers member Erin Early as Council Secretary, supported by President Melissa Seals. Our Council also includes President Melissa Seals, Vice President and teen leader Owen Teuteberg, with adult support from Katie Gunter, Treasurer Nichole Kerksieck, Panhandle Representative Blayne Van Foeken, and Community-at-Large members Justine and teen leader Logan Oestreich. We are especially proud to see youth serving in leadership roles alongside dedicated adult partners. Their voices and leadership continue to shape a strong future for Mason County 4-H.

Number Recap:

Master Gardener

Annual Plant Sale Success

Another year, another Plant Sale! Our largest annual fundraiser hosted by the Master Gardener Foundation of Mason County experienced another year of success. Our hard-working Master Gardener volunteers grew over 6000 plants and created beautiful garden crafts, including new offerings of native plants, unique vegetable varieties, birdhouses, and more, which grossed $17,816 – a new record for recent years! We owe a huge thank you to Lynch Creek Farm, who continue to generously lend their space and time to help us be successful.

New Shelton Free Seed Library

A new free Seed Library, which is a collaboration between the Mason Conservation District (MCD), the Timberland Regional Library, and the WSU Mason County Master Gardeners, has officially launched! Each partner is leveraging their unique resources and expertise to make the project successful: MCD created signage for the space and is covering the cost of equipment and supplies through a grant, the Shelton Timberland Library is providing space for housing the seed library as well as classroom facilities, and Master Gardeners are responsible for day-to-day maintenance and community education. It has been nearly emptied multiple times since its launch, and we have already received incredible feedback from our community.

“Thank you!! I can’t afford seeds, and I’m not much of a gardener. But I want to try as well as mail some to my friend who is an awesome gardener, but has been quite sick as of late, and needs, well, a lot more green. Thank you so much, means so much to me and my friend!”

~ Shelton Seed Library Participant

Summer Workshops Launch in Shelton & Belfair

Master Gardener volunteers have launched our two summer workshop series; one located at Catalyst Park in Shelton and the other at Theler Wetlands in Belfair. The Catalyst Park Community Garden workshops are two-hour, hands-on learning opportunities where the first 20 registrants can receive a free take-home kit; these cost $15 and require pre-registration. The Theler Native Gardens workshops are free and include an educational work party with themed demonstrations and activities. Find out more information at extension.wsu.edu/mason/master-gardener

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Small Farms

Statewide Agriculture Extension Staff Meetup

On May 18^th and 19^th, agriculture WSU Extension staff representing 10 counties met up in Ellensburg to receive professional education and plan future statewide course offerings. Staff were able to participate in a Tilth Alliance Farm Walk at Windy N Ranch to learn about livestock production on organic pastures. The following day, staff received professional education on Organic Certification technical assistance, reviewed and provided feedback on an in-progress self-paced online farmer education course, and planned future Cultivating Success courses. Opportunities for statewide staff to come together to share and collaborate are few, and we greatly appreciated the opportunity to be included in this wonderful experience!

CHOICE & Cedar High Student Garden Success

As they move into the second spring with their current garden space, CHOICE and Cedar students are working incredibly hard to create a beautiful learning area focused on food production and connection to the land. This spring, we have been fortunate enough to engage with over 60 students as they prepare the garden space for spring by adding fresh compost to the beds, adding mulch and gravel to pathways, and growing beautiful starts for their first plant sale fundraiser! We are excited to continue supporting their work and watching this program grow into the future.

Septic Summer Registration is Open

In partnership with Mason County Environmental Health, we are hosting three Septic Summer workshops this year: June 18^th in Matlock, July 16^th in Hoodsport, and August 13^th in Belfair. Topics will include different types of septic systems, how they function, basic maintenance, best landscaping practices, local resources, and financial assistance. Participants will also be able to opt into receiving a copy of their current as-built. Workshops are free and registration is open at mcsepticsummer2026.eventbrite.com

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Noxious Weed Control

This spring Mason County Noxious Weed Control Board (MCNWCB) has been focused on weed control at County-owned properties, Washington State Parks, and in the Olympic National Forest. We also provide technical assistance with noxious weed identification and control advice to private landowners and public land managers.

We assist landowners with control of high priority Class A and B noxious weeds. This spring we have assisted landowners with control of giant hogweed, lesser celandine, perennial pepperweed, poison hemlock, spurge laurel, fuller’s teasel, shiny geranium, and diffuse knapweed.

MCNWCB partners with Olympic National Forest to control invasive species in the National Forest. Early season treatments have been focused on herb Robert, tansy ragwort, and meadow knapweed. We have received additional funding to survey and control invasive weeds in the Bear Gulch Fire area near Lake Cushman. This spring we found Class A noxious weed false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) at Big Creek Campground. This is the first time false brome has been detected on the Olympic Peninsula. False brome is a high priority noxious weed that requires eradication in Washington State.

MCNWCB has ongoing projects to control noxious weeds at State Parks in Mason County. This spring we’ve controlled spurge laurel, scotch broom and meadow knapweed at Lake Isabella State Park, shiny geranium at Belfair State Park and Scotch broom at Jarell Cove State Park.

We worked with Mason County Master Gardeners to provide noxious weed education and resources at the Annual Plant Sale; and host a noxious weed walk and control demonstration at the Master Gardeners Catalyst Garden. We worked with Washington State Parks to host a noxious weed walk and Scotch broom control workshop at Jarrell Cove State Park.

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