{"id":14062,"date":"2026-03-04T08:50:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/?p=14062"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:16:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T19:16:53","slug":"2026-ag-summit-youth-track-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/2026\/03\/04\/2026-ag-summit-youth-track-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing Resilience: Youth Lead and Learn at the 2026 Ag Summit Youth Track"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-card-wrapper wsu-card-wrapper--per-row-3\" >\r\n    \n<article class=\"wsu-card\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnit\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tWSU Extension &#8211; San Juan County 4-H\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n\n<article class=\"wsu-card\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEvent Date &amp; Location\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tSaturday, February 28, 2026 &#8211; Friday Harbor High School\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n\n<article class=\"wsu-card\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAudience\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tYouth (designed for ages 8-15)\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-color-background--gray-5 wsu-spacing-top--small wsu-spacing-bottom--small wsu-spacing-padding-left--small wsu-spacing-padding-right--small wsu-spacing-after--large\" >\r\n    \n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--sxxsmall\">The 2026 Ag Summit Youth Track brought together island youth for a full day of hands\u2011on agricultural learning, leadership, and creativity. Designed to deepen connection to local food systems and community resilience, the program offered immersive workshops led by 4\u2011H volunteers, Master Gardeners, and agricultural educators across the islands.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Youth across the San Juan Islands have limited opportunities to meaningfully engage with agriculture\u2014an essential part of our region\u2019s environmental, cultural, and economic landscape. Hands\u2011on learning can be difficult to access in a geographically dispersed island community, where connections to producers and agricultural mentors vary widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To address this challenge, the 2026 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit expanded its theme of <strong>Growing Resilience<\/strong> to include a full Youth Track designed specifically for ages 8\u201315. This program aimed to build agricultural literacy, strengthen practical skills, and support youth leadership by connecting young people with community educators, 4\u2011H volunteers, and local producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By investing in early agricultural education, San Juan County strengthens the next generation of land stewards who will support resilient, community\u2011based food systems.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">By the Numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>13<\/strong> youth participants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1<\/strong> full\u2011day program open to 4\u2011H and non\u20114\u2011H youth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>5 <\/strong>hands\u2011on learning sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2<\/strong> live chicks featured in chick husbandry workshop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>13<\/strong> take\u2011home worm bins &amp; milk jug greenhouses built by participants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1<\/strong> youth art display at the County Fair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>8 <\/strong>volunteer community members serving as workshop facilitators<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium\" >\r\n    \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--small\">On Saturday, February 28, <strong>13 youth<\/strong> gathered at Friday Harbor High School for a full day of hands\u2011on agricultural learning. The morning began with high\u2011energy challenge games led by youth participants themselves, helping the group build confidence, teamwork, and a sense of community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--small\">Youth then moved into a \u201cDream Garden\u201d and milk\u2011jug seed\u2011starting workshop hosted by the <strong>San Juan County Master Gardeners<\/strong>, where they explored seed biology, season extension, and creative reuse of everyday materials for gardening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--small\">After lunch, participants rotated through four interactive workshops, each highlighting a different aspect of agricultural knowledge and creativity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ag Waste to Art<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--medium\">Youth transformed recycled feed bags, baling twine, and burlap into colorful collage art pieces. These artworks will be laminated and displayed at the San Juan County Fair later this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Worm Bins: Composting at Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--medium\">Participants learned how worms break down food scraps into nutrient\u2011rich compost and constructed their own functional in\u2011ground worm bins to take home. This workshop emphasized soil health, waste reduction, and sustainable gardening practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Miracle of Life: Incubation &amp; Chick Husbandry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--medium\">Led by 4\u2011H youth and volunteers, this session introduced participants to the avian life cycle using two live chicks in an incubator. Youth explored incubation, brooding, and how to raise healthy poultry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thank a Local Farmer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--medium\">Youth wrote personalized thank\u2011you notes to island farmers while learning about the diversity of agricultural operations across the islands and discussing why expressing community appreciation matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take Away<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Several participants shared excitement about starting seeds at home or teaching their families how to care for their newly built worm bins, demonstrating that learning continued well beyond the event.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-card-wrapper wsu-card-wrapper--per-row-3\" >\r\n    \n<article class=\"wsu-card  wsu-color-background--gray-5\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-4-3\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-scaled.jpg\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-396x528.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-792x1056.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1051-149x198.jpg 149w\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\r\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Inside a classroom decorated with colorful geometric paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, several children and an adult woman are working at a long table covered in a green cloth. They are focused on a &quot;seed starting&quot; project using recycled plastic milk jugs filled with soil. Spray bottles and seed packets are visible on the table.\"\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n\t\t\t\/>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeed Starting Workshop\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tMaster Gardeners lead milk\u2011jug seed\u2011starting for season extension.\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n\n<article class=\"wsu-card  wsu-color-background--gray-5\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-4-3\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-scaled.jpg\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-396x297.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-792x594.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1061-198x149.jpg 198w\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\r\n\t\t\t\talt=\"In a classroom, an adult instructor and about a dozen children are sitting in a circle on a large brown tarp spread across the floor. Each child has a bright green plastic bucket and is focused on assembling an in-ground worm bin. A tri-fold poster board with the title &quot;Why We Love Worms&quot; stands on a desk in the background, alongside a whiteboard with notes on vermiculture.\"\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n\t\t\t\/>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWorm Bin Workshop\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tYouth construct in\u2011ground worm bins to launch home composting.\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n\n<article class=\"wsu-card  wsu-color-background--gray-5\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-4-3\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-scaled.jpg\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-396x528.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-792x1056.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/03\/IMG_1057-149x198.jpg 149w\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\r\n\t\t\t\talt=\"In a brightly lit classroom, two children sit at a table covered with a green cloth, working on an art project. One child, wearing an orange hat and a grey hoodie, is focused on gluing materials onto a large piece of orange paper. On the table are various recycled materials, including colorful blue and red plastic feed bags, scraps of paper, and scissors. In the background, other tables and classroom supplies are visible.\"\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n\t\t\t\/>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAg Waste to Art Workshop\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tHands\u2011on \u201cAg Waste to Art\u201d highlights creative reuse in ag systems.\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Short\u2011Term Learning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--small\">Participants gained new knowledge in seed starting, vermicomposting, poultry husbandry, and creative waste reduction. Through direct interaction with Master Gardeners, 4\u2011H volunteers, and one another, youth engaged with agricultural science in a tangible and memorable way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intermediate Skill Building &amp; Practice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--small\">The hands\u2011on nature of each workshop allowed youth to immediately apply new skills. Milk\u2011jug greenhouses and take\u2011home worm bins create ongoing opportunities for young people and their families to practice sustainable gardening at home. The art station encouraged creative thinking and will allow youth to share their work with the broader community when displayed at the County Fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Long\u2011Term Community Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--small\">The Youth Track strengthened connections between young people and local agricultural educators. By fostering curiosity, leadership, and appreciation for local producers, the program supports the long\u2011term resilience of agriculture in the San Juan Islands. These experiences help develop the next generation of land stewards who understand the importance of sustainable food systems and community collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sustainability &amp; Equity Lens <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Creative reuse (Ag Waste to Art) and home composting support waste reduction and soil health. Youth\u2011led facilitation and inclusive access (open to non\u20114\u2011H members) broaden participation and belonging in local agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Youth also developed confidence, communication skills, and leadership as they collaborated with peers and engaged directly with community educators.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quotes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p><em>I had a great time<\/em><\/p>\n<cite>Louie, age 9, participant<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p><em>I so appreciate the youth track being offered, it allowed me to focus on my sessions knowing my child was also getting to learn<\/em><\/p>\n<cite>Anonymous Adult Ag Summit Attendee<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p><em>Seeing youth engage with so many agriculture\u2011related topics\u2014taught by passionate community members\u2014was incredibly rewarding. I was genuinely blown away by how our young participants stepped up to lead their peers, stay curious, and commit fully to a long, learning\u2011filled day dedicated to agriculture.<\/em><\/p>\n<cite>Clinton Gauthier, San Juan County 4-H Coordinator &amp; Youth Track Organizer <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container  wsu-color-background--gray-5\" >\r\n    \n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-top--small wsu-spacing-bottom--small wsu-spacing-padding-left--small wsu-spacing-padding-right--small wsu-spacing-after--none\">Together, these experiences reflect the power of community-led agricultural education in supporting a strong and resilient future for San Juan County youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-after--sxxsmall wsu-spacing-top--small wsu-spacing-bottom--small wsu-spacing-padding-left--small wsu-spacing-padding-right--small\">To learn more about upcoming 4\u2011H opportunities in San Juan County, visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/4h\/\">4\u2011H webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thirteen island youth stepped into leadership, learning, and creativity during the 2026 Ag Summit Youth Track. Through hands\u2011on workshops in seed starting, worm\u2011bin composting, chick husbandry, and agricultural art, participants gained practical skills and strengthened their connection to local agriculture\u2014all while working side-by-side with community educators and producers committed to fostering the next generation of land stewards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":14044,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_external_link":"","_expiration_date":""},"categories":[29,1],"tags":[16,34],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14062"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14062"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14108,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14062\/revisions\/14108"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/sanjuan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}