Pierce County 4-H
Clover Report
May 2026
Spring Leaders Meeting
The Spring Leaders Meeting will be Thursday, May 28 at Allmendinger at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center (2606 W Pioneer Ave, Puyallup)
Schedule:
• 6:15 PM – Doors open. Light dinner will be provided.
• 7:00 PM – General session begins, followed by small‑group round‑robin discussions on selected topics.
Each club must have at least one representative present — a leader, parent, or officer. There is no Zoom option for the Spring Leaders Meeting.
May Fun Day
Join us for May Fun Day to participate in public preliminary presentations, create art projects, explore possible fair exhibits, enjoy a STEM activity, and print and mat photos for fair entry. It’s a fun, hands‑on day for everyone
Register for Preliminary Public Presentations through 4honline. This is a great opportunity to practice your presentation before the Pierce County Fair and receive helpful, supportive feedback from our judges. Whether you are brand news to public speaking or looking to sharpen you skills, preliminaries offers a low-pressure environment to grow and gain confidence.
Get Ready for Fair Time
Pierce County 4-H T-Shirts are Coming!
Pierce County 4-H is excited to provide official 4-H t-shirts for all youth exhibiting at the Pierce County Fair, as well as for the leaders who volunteer during the event. These shirts help us show our county pride and look great in barn photos! Club leaders will receive order forms from the 4-H office, and they are due back by June 1.
If you are planning to exhibit at the fair, please contact your main club leader by May 22 to make sure your name and size of t-shirt you would like is included on the list. Each barn will be announcing its scheduled day and time for barn photos in your Pierce County 4-H t-shirts.
Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign Through May 3
Tractor Supply proudly began their partnership with 4-H in 2010 and has helped raise over $20 million through the Paper Clover fundraisers. The success of these campaigns has impacted over 80,000 students by providing them with hands-on learning experiences through projects in STEM, agriculture, healthy living, and civic engagement. 100% of funds raised through the two yearly Paper Clover fundraisers (April / October) directly benefit 4-H and the kids and teens they work with – 90% of donations directly support 4-H youth in the state it was raised, and the remaining 10% supports national 4-H programming.
Teen Conference
Event Information:
- Date: June 22-25, 2026
- Location: WSU Pullman Campus
- Ages: High School students who have completed 8th grade through 12th grade
- Registration – Will open in early May via 4-H Online
Two Specialized Judge Training Sessions
Are you interested in supporting youth and learning how 4-H fair judging works? Join us for 2 different judges training happening in May.
General Textile Entries, Fashion Revue and Creative Consumer of Fashion.
Training will happen on Friday, May 15, at the Waller Road Grange (2708 E. 64th St. Tacoma) Starting time is approximately 10:15. This training is part of the clothing and textile advisor regular meeting so start time may vary from 10:15 – 10:30. Training lasts 60 – 90 minutes. If you are interested – contact Laura Mendoza
Still Entry Judges Training
The 4-H Still Entry Judges Training on May 30 from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM at the WSU Puyallup Research Center, Allmendinger Room (2606 W Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371).
This introductory course will prepare you to become a registered WA 4-H judge in Photography, Posters, Presentations, Food Activities, or Textile Arts. It is open to current 4-H volunteers, parents, and anyone in the community interested in judging at shows or fairs.
Judge’s Training Highlights – 4-H Judging Principles (Danish system, working with youth, scorecards) – Hands-on workshops in your chosen area – Knowledge check and mock judging – Networking with other judges and instructors
Fees and Support – $25 Full day (become a registered judge, includes lunch) $10 partial day/learning only (no lunch) Cost a barrier? Attend at no cost or pay what you can afford – no questions asked.
Register for the Judge’s Training today! After training you will receive an email with a link to pay via Square.
New STEM Project with Summer Kickoff Event
Pierce County 4‑H is excited to invite all members to a hands‑on STEM interest event on June 6 at the Puyallup Conference Room at WSU Puyallup. During this kickoff session, participants will have the opportunity to build and launch their own water rocket, using 2‑liter soda bottles and compressed‑water propulsion. It’s a fun and engaging way for youth to explore physics, engineering, and the excitement of STEM in action.
Following this summer event, the STEM Project Club will begin meeting regularly in the fall. Meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the Pierce County 4‑H Office, 3602 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma.
Youth interested in joining the project and adults interested in helping lead – RSVP to Mike Seiber.
Pierce County 4-H Dog Project – T-Shirt Design Submissions
It’s time to submit designs for this year’s Dog Project Fair T‑Shirt! The 2026 theme is “Pirates of the FaiRibbean.” Participants in the dog project are invited to submit a drawing that features dogs along with the theme, including the text: Pierce County 4‑H Dog Project 2026. Submissions can be emailed to Heather Soliday by May 16th (be sure to include “4-H t-shirt submission” in the subject line) or designs may also be turned in at the first qualifying show on May 16th; please bring them in a page protector or file folder to keep them safe and unbent. We also ask that you avoid using Sharpie, as it can bleed through. All submissions will be returned at the second qualifying show on June 27th.
Online voting will take place May 18–June 18, and a link will be sent to you. After June 18, the winner will be notified and the website will open for orders. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Soliday.
Remember that entries can also be entered in the Fair under Dog Art and displayed in the dog barn, allowing you to earn premium points as well.
Pierce County Volunteer Recognition
We recently had the honor of recognizing several 4‑H volunteers who were nominated for Pierce County Government Volunteer Awards. We appreciate the time, commitment, and dedication each of you contributes to our program. Thank you for everything you do to support 4-H!
- Golden Service – Julie Kennedy – Thanks for 40 years of volunteering!
- Silver Service – Laura Mendoza
- Honorable Mention Adults – Amber Benjamin, Sherrie Henke, Laurie Horn
- Outstanding Adults – Cody Briggs, Faith Gage, Kathy Hansen, Kimberly Herring, Jennifer Hess, Chelsea Hogerhuis, Tara Larsen, Kaitlin Lawson, Alicia Deery, Michelle Norvell
- Special Achievement – Loli Mahoney
- Outstanding Groups – 4-H of the Upper Nisqually and Graham Crackers 4-H Club
Thank you for your volunteer service!
Upcoming Project Opportunities
Jewelry Making Workshop
Get ready to design, create, and sparkle! Join us on Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 am for a fun, hands‑on jewelry‑making workshop perfect for kids and teens. No experience needed — just bring your imagination!
This workshop is a great chance to explore your creativity and make something totally unique. All supplies are provided, so come ready to create and take home your own handmade treasures!
The workshop will be held at a volunteer’s home. The exact address will be shared when you RSVP by June 6 to Shelley. The location is in the Waller Road / 72nd Street area.
Interested in a welded Steel Art Project?
Contact 4-H Volunteer: Mike Craig – 253‑606‑4549 (please leave a message)
Participants must be registered 4‑H members and must enter their project in the Pierce County Fair. All projects are taught one‑on‑one, giving each member personalized guidance. Mike has been a dedicated 4‑H volunteer for more than 25 years and is excited to help you learn and grow!
Self Determined Gardening Project Learning Opportunities
If your 4‑H member is 5–11 years old (children as young as 3 may join) and interested in gardening, the WSU Pierce County Extension Master Gardeners offer free activities they can attend. A parent or guardian must accompany each child. Registration starts at 9:30 am, and activities begin at 10 am. These events take place at the Puyallup Demonstration Garden, 2607 W. Pioneer, Puyallup, WA.
- May 30 – Planning your Garden – Learn what plants can be started now and plan for coming seasonal plantings
- June 6 – Worm University – Visit the worm colony and learn their secrets
- June 20 – Hummingbirds – Welcome to the living jewels of the bird world that pollinate our gardens
- July 25 – Summer Fest – Plants talk – Investigate how plants communicate with their environment and each other
- August 8 – Dinosaurs – Learn which plants are left from the dinosaur age and design your own garden for tiny dinosaurs.
- August 22 – Tiny Wonders – Use magnifiers and microscopes to observe what is hiding in our garden world
- September 26 – Fall Fest: Seed Saving – Learn about and collect seed from plants to save for future planting.
There are also some learning opportunities available at the Gig Harbor Demonstration Garden 10123 78th Ave NW, Gig Harbor. These workshops are 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
- May 16 Ready Set, Grow – Learn the essentials of good gardening. They will plant their own flower containers and vegetable seeds to take home.
- July 18 – Fairies & Gnomes – Learn about the magic of gardening and make your own “fairy garden” in a pot to take home.
- September 19 – Harvest Festivities – Come share in Fall garden related activities and enjoy some of the bounty.
Fair Exhibit Opportunities
4-H Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Division
Computer technology exhibits at the Pierce County Fair let 4‑H members showcase digital creativity, from greeting cards and certificates to flyers, pamphlets, calendars, slideshows, computer games created or any other items listed in the exhibitors guide. If you’ve created any of these projects, 4‑H has a category where you can enter and share your tech skills!
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
- Two entries per Lot.
- All items entered must include a 3” x 5” card or small informational display describing the item, how it was made, computer programs used, and what the maker learned while creating the item.
- Other entries can be made in 4-H In Action and Educational Displays (Posters).
