WSU Extension Stevens County Newsletter
July 2025
Latest news, projects, workshops, free resources, and more. Keep Reading!
In This Issue
Master Gardeners
- Houseplant Care & Plant Swap at Libraries of Stevens County
- Join US! Now accepting Master Gardener applications. Training starting in October, apply now.
4-H
- Fair Season is Almost Here! Get your registrations done.
Agriculture
- Explore Your Farm Dreams – Webinar 6-9 p.m. on August 18th
- Whole Farm Planning course – Mondays, Sept 22 – Nov 3rd
July Calendar and Resources
Master Gardener News
Houseplant Care and Plant Swap
Library Houseplant Series in July
Level Up Your Houseplant Game! Discover expert tips for indoor plant care, take home cuttings, and grow your green thumb with confidence with help from experts from WSU Extension!
- Chewelah Library – Tuesday, July 8th at 5 p.m.
- Colville Library – Thursday, July 10th at 4 p.m.
- Kettle Falls Library – Tuesday, July 15th at 4 p.m.
- Northport Library – Thursday, July 17th at 4 p.m.
- Lakeside Library – Thursday, July 24th at 3 p.m.
- Loon Lake Library – Tuesday, July 29th at 3 p.m.
- Hunters Library – Thursday, July 30th at 3 p.m.
NEW in 2025! Washington Green School
Updated, Easy-to-Use Curriculum! 4 New Chapters!
Now accepting applications for this year’s class, starting October 2025. You can either obtain your Washington Gardener Certificate or decide to participate fully by volunteering as an Extension Master Gardener and serving your community! Details can be found at the Washington Green School website!
Washington Green School - Comparison of Two Course Track Options
| Options Available | Washington Gardener Certificate Track | Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Track |
|---|---|---|
| Online Course & Virtual Instruction | Yes | Yes |
| Local volunteer training | No | Yes |
| 29-Chapter Manual | Yes | Yes |
| Course Quizzes & Exam | Yes | Yes |
| Volunteer Hours | No | Yes |
| Continued Annual Commitment | No | Yes |
Find us at the Chewelah Farmers Market
- 2nd and 4th Fridays in July
- Pressure Canner Gauge testing available!
Find us at the Colville Farmers Market
- 2nd and 4th Saturdays in July
- Pressure Canner Gauge testing available!
For more information about Master Gardener programs offered by WSU Extension in Stevens County, visit our website: Gardening | Stevens County, email: Linda Teller or call 509-684-2588
4-H Happenings
Fair Season is Almost Here!
It’s time to start thinking about getting your registrations done.
Fairs are a great opportunity to show your crafts, sewing, animals, baking, garden produce, and more for both adults and youth. Even if you don’t show, you can still visit a local fair to check out what others are doing, enjoy entertainment, and support your community. Fair books are out and available in various community locations for local fairs. Additional information can be found below…
Valley Fair – August 9. Animal registrations are due by August 1. Visit Valley Fair – Home for more information.
Hunters Fair – August 16. Pre-registrations are due by August 4. Visit Hunters Community & 4-H Fair (hunterscommunityfair.com) for more information.
NE WA Fair – August 21-24. Fair Books are out, and online registration is open. Animal entries due July 1 and still life due August 8. Visit Northeast Washington Fair Grounds – Stevens County WA for books and online registration.
Clayton Community Fair – August 22-24. Fair books and other information are available online at Clayton Community Fair. Exhibit and animal registrations due by August 5.
For information about our 4-H program, visit our website: 4-H Youth | Stevens County or contact Shannon Rowley, 509-684-2588
Agriculture
Dreaming of beginning or expanding your own small farm? The WSU Cultivating Success™ series of courses combines workshop and farmer-direct learning experiences to help foster the success of new and existing farms. First up in the series is Explore Your Farm Dreams, a 3-hour workshop designed to help you explore the development of a small farm enterprise offered on August 18th from 6-9pm. Following that, our Whole Farm Planning Course will be held on Mondays, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, September 22 through November 3. Offered statewide, courses will be conducted online using the Zoom platform with in-person field trips available in regions of WA state.
Explore Your Farm Dreams
Monday, August 18th 6-9 p.m. on Zoom
This 3-hour workshop is designed to help you explore the development of a small farm enterprise and create a plan of action for achieving your small farm dream.
Location: Virtual, statewide with Spanish interpretation
Cost: $15 Scholarships available to anyone for whom the class fee is a barrier
Whole Farm Planning
Mondays, September 22nd through Nov 3rd 6-8 p.m. on Zoom (with regional in-person opportunities)
This fall course will cover a broad range of topics including production and markets for today’s small farm! Whether you are just exploring the opportunities available or already have an existing operation, you’ll learn what it takes to create sustain, and grow a viable small farm.
Location: Virtual, statewide with Spanish interpretation
Cost: $200 per farm (up to 3 participants). Scholarships available to anyone for whom the course fee is a barrier.
For information about our Agriculture program, visit our website: Agriculture | Stevens County or contact Kathryn Hoogheem, 509-684-2588
Events Calendar
June to July (also see Events page)
- July 3rd/4th – OFFICE CLOSED for Independence Day
- July 7th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- July 8th, 5-6p – Houseplant Care at Chewelah Library
- July 10th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- July 10th, 4-5p – Houseplant Care at Colville Library
- July 11th, 11a-3:30p – MGs at Chewelah Farmers Market
- July 12th, 9a-1p – MGs at Colville Farmers Market
- July 15th, 4-5p – Houseplant Care at Kettle Falls Library
- July 17th, 4-5p – Houseplant Care at Northport Library
- July 24th, 3-4p – Houseplant Care at Lakeside Library
- July 25th, 11a-3:30p – MGs at Chewelah Farmers Market
- July 26th, 9a-1p – MGs at Colville Farmers Market
- July 29th, 3-4p – Houseplant Care at Loon Lake Library
- July 30th, 3-4p – Houseplant Care at Hunters Library