Pierce County 4-H
Clover Report
January 2026
4-H Super Saturday Set for January 31
This year’s Super Saturday promises a full day of hands-on learning, creativity, and connection for 4-H youth across Pierce County. It will be held at Franklin Pierce High School, (11002 18th Ave E, Tacoma, WA 98445) The event offers a wide variety of workshops designed to spark curiosity and build practical skills. Super Saturday will feature five workshop sessions covering topics such as animal care, crafting, leadership, team building, STEM, cooking and more. The event is a great opportunity for youth to explore new interests, meet fellow 4-Hers, and experience learning by doing.
Registration opens January 4, 2026 through 4honline. The fee is $ 25 ($30 at the door). After registering you will receive a paypal invoice. Early registration is encouraged, as sessions tend to fill quickly. An optional pizza lunch will be available for an additional fee, which includes 1 or 2 slices of pizza, chips, dessert and a drink.
Parents interested in learning more about 4-H are welcome to take the 4-H online leader development courses while your kids are doing their workshops. E-mail Shelley Friend if you are interested.
Know Your Government
Attention teens in grades 9–12
Are you ready to dive into leadership, civic engagement, and discover how government really works? The 2026 Know Your Government (KYG) Conference, hosted by Washington State 4-H, offers an exciting opportunity to explore the theme of the Legislative Branch and experience government in action while connecting with fellow teens from across the state.
Mandatory county pre-meetings are on January 12, 21, 26 and 28 at the Pierce County 4-H Office (3602 Pacific Ave Tacoma) from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
The KYG Conference runs February 13–16 at Evergreen State College in Olympia, with dorm lodging included. Highlights include a Capitol tour, group activities, and a service project. Cost is $330 (meals and lodging included), with grants available. Registration opens on January 9 via 4HOnline and closes once spots are filled—register early!
Visit the KYG webpage for details.
Winter – The Perfect Time for Still Life Projects
The colder months are a great opportunity to work on Still Life entries for the Pierce County Fair. Start by checking with your club leader to see what projects your club offers. If your club doesn’t have the project you’re interested in, explore the Open Club List to find one that does. Remember—your annual registration fee covers as many clubs as you need to reach your 4-H goals!
Arts, photography, and STEM projects are perfect for winter since they can be done indoors. The 4-H office offers free kits (STEM, photography, art and sewing) that you can check out to help you add these activities to your club, visit the STEM website to see what’s available.
Did you know most animal projects include categories to enter equipment in the fair? If you create equipment for your animal, you can enter it in the Fair—and these items may even qualify for the State Fair!
Animal Registration
We are getting closer to show season! Now is the time to make sure your animals in 4HOnline have been updated and resubmitted for the new program year. Now is also the time to add any new animals to the system. Make sure that your main and backup animals are approved for the upcoming show season. For Dog Project member, make sure to put the dog’s breed in the “Breeder Name” field and not the breeder’s name. Horse members who know their back numbers for a specific horse can add that in the “Registration Number” field.
Key Dates for 2026
April 25 – FUN’Raiser for cats, dogs, and horses – Frontier Park
May 9 – Horse May Qualifying Show (Driving/Dressage/Small Equine) – Frontier Park
May 10 – Horse May Qualifying Show (Performance) – Frontier Park
May 16 – Dog 1st Qualifying Show – WSU Puyallup
June 13 – Horse June Qualifying Show (Gaming) – Frontier Park
June 14 – Horse June Qualifying Show (Driving/Dressage/Small Equine) – Frontier Park
June 27 – Dog 2nd Qualifying Show – WSU Puyallup
July 11 – Horse July Qualifying Show (Performance) – Frontier Park
July 12 – Horse July Qualifying Show (Gaming) – Frontier Park
August 13-16 – Pierce County Fair (note the date change) – Frontier Park
September 4-27 – Washington State 4-H Fair – Washington State Fairgrounds
Pierce County Government Volunteer Recognition Event
Pierce County Government will honor volunteers at its annual banquet, recognizing those who give their time and talent to strengthen our community. While all volunteers make a difference, some go above and beyond.
Pierce County 4-H is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Volunteer Awards, celebrating outstanding senior youth and adult leaders. Honorees will be recognized at a special brunch on April 11, 2026, with the County Executive and Pierce County Council Chairman. Each will receive a certificate and gift—and nominators attend free.
Nominations must be submitted by January 26, 2026.
4-H Club Highlights and County Activities
A sincere thank you to all our 4-H Clubs for their commitment to community service. Your projects not only strengthen our communities but also demonstrate the values of leadership, responsibility, and generosity that 4-H stands for. We appreciate all you do!
Gig Harbor 4-H Club made 103 handmade Holiday cards for the residents at Gig Harbor Court
The Graham Crackers 4-H club spent the past year spreading kindness throughout the community! From sewing baby blankets for Step by Step and creating cheerful pillowcases in partnership with the Clothing & Textile Advisors for the Wishing Well Foundation, to collecting and delivering food
for Thanksgiving to the Eatonville Community Center and shopping for Giving Tree gifts.
Valley 4-H Club and the Cloverbuds at the Monthly Meet Up made Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches for the homeless and signed Christmas cards for residents of several assisted living facilities
Seniors – WA State 4-H College Scholarships
Eligibility: Enrolled & approved as a 4-H member by March 1, been affiliated with 4-H for at least 2 years, a senior in high school attending a 2-4 year accredited college/university in the fall.
Registration : Open January 1 – March 15 through 4-H Online
Required Parts of your Application : All documents must be combined and uploaded in 4-H online as a single documents – Resume, Essay, 2 letters of Recommendation, and Academic Transcript.
For more information and to apply – WA State Scholarships
O.M. Plummer Memorial Scholarship
- Amount: $500
Thomas R. Quann Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000
J. Orville/Helen Young Memorial Scholarship
- Amount: $500
Washington State 4-H Foundation Trustees Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
WSU 4-H Teen Conference Planning Team – Opportunity for Teens!
Are you interested in joining our planning team as a Teen Conference Facilitator for the 2026 Washington State 4-H Teen Conference?
Our first meeting will be via Zoom on January 11th at 5pm. At that meeting we will choose a monthly meeting time that works for the group who wished to participate.
Requirements for this participation in this leadership role:
- will have completed 8th grade by Summer 2026
- attendance at most planning meetings
- ability to arrive in Pullman the day before Teen Conference for training as a conference facilitator. (June 21)
Dates for the 2026 conference are June 22-25, 2026 in Pullman, WA.
If you are interested, please email Kelly Stewart to get added to the email list and receive a link for the meeting.
Teen Leadership Zoom Series
First zoom meeting is January 11 from 4:00 – 4:45 pm. If you are interested contact 4hteenleaders for a zoom link.
Want to Make a Difference with other Teens?
Join Teens Helping Teens
Thursday, January 15th 430 – 530 pm
Open to all current WSU 4-H Intermediate and Senior members.
- Promote mental health
- Raise awareness & prevent suicide
- Create real human connection
- Work with teens across WA
For more information and the zoom link contact WSU cares.
Pierce County 4-H Council Scholarship Application
Deadline: Applications must be received at the Pierce County 4-H Office by March 15th. (application is being updated). Open to 4-H youth in the 12th grade.
The Pierce County 4-H Council believes in the 4-H Program and life skills it develops: Leadership, teamwork, communication skills, goal setting, service learning, management, initiative, self-discipline, decision making… We are happy to acknowledge those youth who have worked with 4-H, and we believe in their future. The Pierce County 4-H Council offers scholarships from $250 – $1250 to 4-H senior members bound for post high school education.
Pierce County 4-H Dog Project
Ella Amore Mahoney Memorial Scholarship Application
Application is due in June. Open to 4-H youth in the Dog Project – grades 11-12. Application is currently being updated.