Pierce County 4-H
Clover Report
May 2025
Spring Leaders Meeting – Fruitland Grange
Join us for the Spring Leaders Meeting at the Fruitland Grange, located at 11102 86th Ave E, Puyallup, on Wednesday, May 29th.
Doors open at 6:15 PM with a light dinner available—perfect for those coming straight from work or anyone who wants to arrive early, enjoy a bite to eat, and socialize. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 pm, starting with a general session followed by breakout groups for round robin discussions on selected topics.
Important: Each club must have a representative (leader, parent, or officer) in attendance.
Please note: There will be no Zoom option for either the Spring or Fall Leaders Meetings.
Pierce County Fair News
The 2025 Pierce County Fair Exhibitor Guide is now live on the Pierce County Fair website! Be sure to check it out—there are some significant changes this year, especially for certain 4-H departments, as we’ve now aligned with the Washington State 4-H Fair. There are also new opportunities for Cloverbuds! FairEntry for registering exhibits in the 2025 Pierce County Fair opens June 1st.
The Fair will still have opportunities to show market animals that are not going to the sale. However, if your animal will be participating in the Market Sale, it must be entered in a separate Pierce County Youth Market Sale FairEntry system, which is now open.
Teen Conference
“Growing Your Opportunities” is the theme for the 2025 Teen Conference, happening June 23–26 at the Washington State University Pullman Campus!
Teen Conference is open to all youth who have completed 8th grade and older, this exciting event welcomes everyone—no leadership role or plans to attend WSU required. Come experience college life, explore your future, and gain valuable insights into preparing for college. You’ll have the chance to:
- Tour major university departments
- Attend hands-on special interest workshops
- Learn how to navigate college applications and registration
Workshops include – Pinata Making, iDrone Camp with UI, Nutrition labeling in food, Robotics, Bees, Stress Management, Livestock and so much more!
The cost is $295 per teen, plus transportation. Pierce County 4-H will cover the registration cost for leaders who attend as chaperones. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to grow, explore and have fun!
Small Animal FUN ’Raiser
Join us May 31st at the Dog Barn in Frontier Park for a fun filled and educational day at our Small Animal Fun’Raiser. This open show is for cavies, rabbits and poultry, offering an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with others. The event will kick off with judging practice, followed by animal-specific clinics to help sharpen your skills and expand your knowledge
Entry fee: $10.00 per animal
🐰 Showmanship begins at 10:00 AM for rabbits and cavies
🐓 Poultry showmanship starts at 1:00 PM
4-H Leaders Council Needs You!
Did you know that every registered 4-H volunteer is a member of 4-H Leaders’ Council? And, that the Council is led by an Executive Board made up entirely of 4-H volunteers? Currently our Executive Board is seeking new members. We currently have seven dedicated members but should have 10-12. Without enough members, we risk losing the council – and with it, many of the programs and support systems that make Pierce County 4-H strong and successful.
What does the Council Executive Board do?
- Coordinates and assists with Super Saturday and Teen Rally
- Awards scholarships to graduating seniors
- Awards grants to members, chaperones, and projects to help offset the cost of specific 4-H events
- Audits Club Financial records
- Supports the Fun’Raiser (event planning, providing lunches for judges, etc)
- Helps where needed in Pierce County 4-H
- Meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday @ 7 pm at the 4-H office. (Zoom option available)
- Raises funds to support our grants and scholarships
Elected Council officers
- President – Seville Hering, Gig Harbor 4-H Club (Term ends 2025)
- Vice President – Rachel Gatlin, Four Ever Green 4-H Club (Term ends 2026)
- Treasurer – Heather Wroe, Coolest Canines 4-H Club (Term Limited – Term ends 2025)
- Secretary – Laura Mendoza, Graham Crackers 4-H Club (Term ends 2026)
Volunteer reps
- Pierce County Fair Board Liaison – Need a rep
- Grants/Scholarships – Sharon Fisk, Upper Nisqually 4-H Club
- Recognition – Need a rep
- Education – Need a rep
Project Reps
- Dogs – Heather Wroe, Coolest Canines 4-H Club
- Cats – Need a rep
- Horses – Seville Hering, Gig Harbor 4-H Club
- Livestock – Tony Fay, Outlaw Wranglers 4-H Club
- Small Animals – Rachel Gatlin, Four Ever Green 4-H Club
- Still Life Textile/Food (Lodge building at fair) – Laura Mendoza, Graham Crackers 4-H Club
- Still Life Art/Photography (Grange building at fair) – Need a rep
- Shooting Sports – Rebecca Farris, Upper Nisqually 4-H Club
- Cloverbuds – Shelley Friend, 4-H Office
- Teen Leaders – Need a rep
You can hold more than one position or join as a member-at-large. We’ll be electing a new President and Treasurer at the Fall Leaders Meeting and are seeking nominations. Interested? know someone who’d be a great fit? Let us know!
Join us for our next Council Meeting – Thursday, May 15th, 7:00 PM at 4-H Office, 3602 Pacific Avenue (entrance in the back of the building), if you would like to see what we are all about, or here is the Zoom Option. Meeting ID: 328 668 712
International Exchange
Host a Japanese Delegate This Summer!
There are still a few Japanese delegates looking for a warm and welcoming home for 3½ weeks this summer! There is no need to plan anything special – this is an immersion program designed for delegates to experience everyday American life and culture. Families can host if they:
- Have a child of the same gender within 3 years of the delegate’s age
- Can provide a spare bed
- Are interested in learning about Japanese Culture
🌐 For more information, visit the States’ 4-H Exchange Program webpage.
GivePulse
This is a reminder that all 4-H volunteers are required to continually log their volunteer hours in GivePulse. This is a mandatory requirement from Washington State University (WSU) for reporting to Labor & Industries (L&I). If you need help using GivePulse, training videos are available on the WA State 4-H Website. You may also send your time to Shelley. Please include the date, start time, length of time you volunteered and the purpose. (club activities, beyond club activities, etc.) Thank you for your continued dedication and support of the 4-H program. We appreciate all that you do!
EP14 Safety and Protection of Minors
All leaders must complete their training for EP14 Protection and Safety of Minors by June 1st to continue serving as a volunteer with Washington State University / 4-H. You can find the training at Campus Extension and the enrollment key is PIERCE. If you have problems with completing the training contact Shelley Friend.
Teen Rally
The 2025 Teen Rally is happening on November 15, 2025, at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center! We are looking for teens who want to help plan and run the event. This is a great way to get involved, build leadership skills, and have your voice heard.
Interested? Reach out to Mike Seiber to join the planning committee!
4-H Club Highlights and County Activities
Clover Bud Meeting
Join us Saturday, May 10 from 10 am – 12 pm. We will be meeting in the Dog Barn at Frontier Park in Graham as we “Explore Nature” together! There will be hand on activities, a scavenger hunt, and a snack along with other interactive activities. If you will be attending please email Shelley Friend.
NWJLS & Spring Showcase at the Fair
Congratulations to Shealyn, Sawyer, Kenna, Ronnie, Kasper, Ana, Camryn, Carson, MJ, Annalise, Brody, Chandolin, Leah, Morgan and Lindsey! Members of Outlaw Wranglers placed as Grand Champions, Reserve Champions and numerous other divisions at the Spring Fair.
Christmas in August? Let’s Craft Ornaments for a Cause
The Pierce County Fair is excited to join this year’s Festival of Trees fundraiser for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital—and we need your help! We’re inviting 4-Hers of all ages to create handmade ornaments that reflect their project areas to decorate our donated tree.
Ornaments will be showcased at the Fair’s Featured Agriculture Exhibit in the Grange Hall before heading to the Festival, where trees are auctioned to support the hospital. Please note: ornaments won’t be returned, as they’ll become part of the gifted tree. Each person may submit up to two entries—all ages are welcome to participate. Enter your ornament through FairEntry.
Thank you for supporting our Animal Fun’Raiser! Cat Bowl prep, cat time, and making a cat toy!
🌸 It’s Paper Clover Time at Tractor Supply! 🌸
From April 18 through May 5, stop by your local Tractor Supply Co. or visit TractorSupply.com to purchase a Paper Clover at checkout. Visit the Tractor Supply stores (Puyallup or Tacoma/Spanaway) to show your support and make a difference in a young person’s life. Your support directly helps 4-H youth attend camps, conferences, and other leadership-building activities!