April 2026
4-H Newsletter
News
San Juan County 4‑H Teens Gain Firsthand Legislative Experience at 2026 Know Your Government Conference
Growing Resilience: Youth Lead and Learn at the 2026 Ag Summit Youth Track
Upcoming Events
Important Dates
April 15
May 1
May 2
Upcoming Community Service Opportunities in April
San Juan Firefighters Association Easter Egg Hunt
Join 4-H and various other community organizations for the return of the Jackson’s Beach Easter Egg Hunt.
Event Details:
- Setup: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
- Egg Hunt Begins: 10:30 a.m.
- Event Ends: Noon
4-H will have a table where we will be passing out popcorn and other goodies. Any families wanting to help are welcome to join in the set-up portion of the morning and then break off for the egg hunt.
Clinton and his family will facilitate the table during the egg hunt but if anyone wants to help during that time it would be welcome!
Save the date: Great Islands Clean-Up – Saturday, April 18
The Country Critters 4-H club will be participating in this service project on San Juan Island but any 4-H member is welcome to jump in and make a difference! There are planned events on all 4 islands.
Lopez: Sign in and get a route at 10:00 a.m. at the Lopez Village Park
Orcas: Meet at the Eastsound Village Green at 10:00 a.m.
Shaw: Bring collected beach and roadside trash to the Shaw baseball field from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
San Juan: There’s a micro-plastics hunt at Jacksons Beach that starts about 10:30 a.m.
Visit Plastic Free Salish Sea for full event schedule and event contacts
Grow Your Own Food – A Hands-On Gardening Series
Want to start a vegetable garden this spring but not sure where to begin? Join our four-part lunchtime class series taught by Master Gardeners.
Each session includes hands-on demonstrations and practical skills you can apply immediately, perfect for beginners or anyone looking to brush up their gardening knowledge.
- Dates: Thursdays, April 16, 23, 30 & May 7 (12–1 pm)
- Location: Master Gardener Demo Garden – corner of Market St. & Nash St. next to Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center & Mullis Community Senior Center
- Cost: Free
- Sign-up: call 360 378-4414 or fill out this form
Registration Now Open – May 2, 2026 – 4-H Arena Work Party & SJC Youth Fair
The 2nd Annual San Juan County 4-H Youth Fair is scheduled for May 2, 2026 at the San Juan County Fairgrounds from 11:00 – 2:30.
The tentative schedule for this year is:
- 8:00–11:00 a.m.: 4‑H Arena Work Party
- Off‑island volunteers are not expected to arrive before the first westbound inter‑island ferry.
- Because we did not receive enough volunteer availability and have ongoing budget limitations, we will not be able to set up the 40×60 arena tent this year. 4‑H and the Fair are partnering to explore sustainable alternatives that will serve our youth and programs well moving forward.
- 11:30 a.m.: Lunch
- 12:00 p.m. (Noon): Public Presentation Contest
- You will have the opportunity to sign up for a presentation time during registration
- During presentations, I will also offer a Q&A, a STEM activity, and educational poster making.
2026 4-H Fair Book Now Published
The re-worked and more comprehensive Fair Book is now published and ready for review.
A digitally accessible version can be found on the fair and auctions section of the webpage. There is also a link to download a pdf version as well. I will plan to print and send several copies to each island, as well have as have copies available at the extension office.
There are multiple new departments, classes, appendices, and what I hope to be a better flow to the Fair Book overall this year. Please read the welcome letter at the beginning as it gives lots of good information.
Clinton is now working on the Fair Schedule and updating the Fair Entry system. Fair Entry will go live June 1st!
2026 4-H Fair Superintendents Needed!
4-H Families – We need your help!
For the fair this year there are the following department vacancies:
- Equine (Kristina on Orcas is likely going to fill this)
- Assistant Livestock Superintendent (LeAnne will be main livestock super)
- Performing Arts Superintendent
- Small Animal Round Robin Superintendent
If you, someone in your family, or someone you know might be interested in filling one of these roles please let Clinton know. These positions are vital to have a working fair and Clinton is happy to provide training on how to be successful. Most superintendent roles require only a few hours during fair week
To see the full list of Superintendents please visit the Fairbook.
4-H International Exchange – Inbound Hosting Applications Now Open
Summer 2026 (July 23-August 15, 2026)
Delegates from Japan and South Korea will be placed in families around the state of Washington (arrive and depart from Ellensburg). Host families must speak English in the home and have youth between the ages of 9 and 17 to be paired with a host sibling of similar age.
The purpose of this program is NOT tourism. Families that host do not need to tour the delegate around, they are here to experience life in an American family in the home setting. They are to do what you and your family are doing.
Voluntary host families do not need to be in 4-H to participate in this exchange. Delegates come with their own health insurance and spending money. Families are supported by orientations, local program coordinators and the chaperone that travels with the students and stays in the state during the exchange.
To start or update your application, visit the States 4-H Exhange website.
Please let Carolyn Russo know if you have questions.
Save the Date – Lamb, Wool & Goat Festival – May 10th
On May 10th on Lopez Island the Lamb, Wool, and Goat festival is happening. The planning committee is looking to see if any 4-H members are interested in being involved. Clinton plans to attend and represent 4-H but lamb and goat members could bring animals or host an educational table, and fiber arts members could offer demonstrations or host a table as well. Please contact Sara Hurley if interested in participating.
Save the Date – Showmanship Clinic & Spring Weigh-In – May 30
The Livestock Market Animal Auction Committee is happy to share that our annual Showmanship Clinic and Spring Weigh-In will be held on May 30, 2026 this year.
The Schedule Includes:
- Showmanship Clinic/Information For:
- Livestock (Cattle, Sheep, Goat & Hogs)
- Small Animal (Poultry, Rabbit & Cavy)
- A presentation from Kings Market/Marketplace on careers in butchering
- Official early Weigh in for fair auction animals – weights and ear tags
All 4-H members and their families are welcome!
More details to come including a registration link. Livestock member participation is not required but is highly encouraged for the weigh-in especially.
Any Interest in Food Service during Pig War Picnic?
4-H has been asked if they would like to participate in the pig war picnic (July 4th) serving food in the Ramblers Booth. For simplicity sake, it would likely be best to do a very basic menu (think soda, water, and ice cream) but if there is a club or group who would like to spear head this opportunity, please let Clinton know!
Save the Date – Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser – July 25th
We’ll be hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser in the Rambler’s Booth on July 25th, 2026. The proceeds of the fundraiser will be split between 4-H and the San Juan County Fair. Please save the date if you would be interested in helping cook, serve, and be on site for the fundraiser.
