July 2025 4-H Newsletter
News
New San Juan County Extension Webpage is Live!
In case you missed it last month, please take a moment to explore the new extension webpage as well as the new 4-H section of the webpage.
2025 Teen Conference Recap
2025 June Weigh-In & Livestock Clinic Recap
Upcoming Events
Important Dates
July 1
July 15 – #1
July 15 – #2
July 15 – #3
July 15 – #4
All of July
Weigh-in & Showmanship Clinic Re-Cap
Roughly 40 youth and adults from Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island gathered at the San Juan County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 14th, for the first spring weigh-in in several years. Everyone had the chance to learn about and practice showmanship with the following species:
- Beef Cattle
- Sheep
- Swine
- Dairy Goat
We all had a great time learning from some experts in showmanship and experiencing what it takes to get your animal fair-ready. A special thank you to our presenters, the Toth Family from Skagit County and Sienna Traynor (SJC 4-H Alum), for sharing their expertise. It was very exciting to see a large number of the livestock animals that will be exhibited at the fair, including four beef, nine lambs, and five hogs.
A huge thank you to all of the leaders, volunteers, and parents who helped make the event a success. Thanks to the San Juan County Fairgrounds for providing access to the Marie Boe Building for Fair Entry support, for providing staff to assist in getting the 4-H arena tent raised and to the Honeywell Charitable Foundation for their financial support.
Next Learning Opportunities
While we don’t have any learning opportunities on the calendar currently, Clinton would be happy to make a visit to your club meeting to provide fair support in registration, showmanship, and answer any fair-related questions about what to expect.
If you’d like one-on-one support please reach out to the extension office or attend one of the fair entry support zoom sessions that will be scheduled shortly.
Teen Conference Recap
The annual Washington State 4-H Teen Conference concluded on Thursday June, 26th. 140 youth, adults, and guests invaded the campus of Washington State University. Youth had the opportunity to stay in Orton Hall, one of WSU’s residence halls, participate in workshops, and take tours of various campus departments.
While there were lots of learning opportunities, youth also had lots of time to hang out and visit with each other and participate in a dance, challenge activities, and a community service project.
Clinton got to facilitate a workshop on how a bill becomes a law and hosted a mock committee hearing on a fictional proposed bill. This is also the theme for this year’s Know Your Government conference. I also attended workshops on law school and drone building. I had the opportunity to tour the School of Food Science where learned about new food products and got to participate in a blind food taste test. I also got to tour the WSU Creamery and Dairy Facility.
If you are interested in learning more about Teen Conference please reach out to Clinton and he would be happy to share more.
The next conference opportunity will be the Teen Summit that takes place on Whidbey Island usually in November. Dates, times, and more information will be coming.
Cool Things Happening on Shaw Island
On Wednesday June, 18th Shaw Island 4-Hers and members of the community gathered at the Shaw Island Community Center to do a hands on art project. The Shaw Island 4-H Club invited Orcas Island artist, Brook Meinhardt, to do a demonstration on Beach Trash Art. There were about 15 youth participating in creating amazing art pieces with up-cylced beach trash.
Brook brought a variety of washed and cleaned styrofoam, plastic, rope, and other things that washed up on the beach. Youth were encouraged to create birds out of the items but their imagination was really the only limitation. We saw an eagle, jellyfish, skateboard ramp, and so many other amazing creations being built.
Many of the 4-H youth plan to exhibit some of their creations at the Fair and the Shaw Island Club is looking to do a group exhibit/mobile of their creations. This is a great example of a club activity that teaches environmental stewardship and is fun and hands on at the same time.
The club’s next project is their annual rocket launch day where the club gets to shoot the rocket models that they build and learn all about rocket science, gravity and physics!
Ideas of Fun Things to Enter & Do at the San Juan County Fair
Have you taken the time to look through all the departments you can enter in the fair? Check out the whole fair book for even more ideas.
Now is a great time to think outside the box and come up with a fun, new entry!
Some ideas to look into:
- Department 2 – 4-H Educational Booth Displays
- You or your club can create a booth to teach the public about a specific project area or your club in general.
- Department 3 – 4-H Interactive Display
- Love giving demonstrations? Here is another opportunity to showcase your public presentation skills by explaining how your project contributed to your life skill development.
- For those enrolled in food projects
- Food Activites sub section of Department 13
- Show off your food preparation skills infront of an experienced judge
- Department 15 – Food as Science
- Create a tri-fold display about food as a science.
- Food Activites sub section of Department 13
There will be some fun activities throughout the fair that don’t require pre-registration on Fair Entry most will take place on Sunday of Fair week.
- Costume Contest – Sign Up in the Marie Boe Building during Fair
- Dress your project up in a fun costume, you are welcome to dress up to match as well
- Quiz Bowl – Sign your team up in the Marie Boe Building during Fair
- Recruit three other team members and test your knowledge against other teams
- Open to youth and adult teams
- New This Year – Member Appreciation and Yard Games
- Join us for a casual hour of fun and appreciation to wrap up the Fair.
- Share your experiences with fellow 4-Hers and community members!
There is still time to add for fun contests to the schedule if you have any ideas of activities you would like to facilitate.
Farm Tours Coming This Fall – How you can help
Hello San Juan County Farmers and Ag Community Members,
Planning for the 2025 Farm Tours of the San Juans has begun – we would love your participation! Here are three easy ways to get involved early and often:
- Save the Date(s) for 2025 Farm Tours:
- San Juan Island: September 26–28
- Orcas Island: October 3–5
- Lopez Island: October 10–12
- Sign up to be a host, volunteer, or Island Coordinator ($600 stipend)! You don’t need all the details finalized to sign up to participate- just fill out the form with as much information as you can. You’ll have the chance to make updates before brochures are published. Why sign up now? Early sign-ups help us plan logistics, design marketing materials, and ensure a successful event for everyone!
Warmly,
The Farm Tours Planning Committee
Interested in a career in meat cutting?
Valmark (Kings & Marketplace) reached out to see if any 4-H youth, mainly high-school aged, would be interested in learning about the meat cutting profession and talking bout potential employment opportunities at the grocery stores. Please contact Clinton if you would like more information.
