WSU Extension Stevens County Newsletter

June 2025

Latest news, projects, workshops, free resources, and more. Keep Reading!

WSU Extension Logo
Pink bearded iris flowers

In This Issue

4-H

  • Youth Wilderness Day Camp – June 28th

Master Gardeners

  • New Resource for Stevens County gardeners!
  • Join US! NEW Master Gardener curriculum available to *everyone*. Training starting in October, apply now.

Agriculture

  • Explore Your Farm Dreams
    • Zoom webinar 6-9 p.m. on August 18th

June & July Calendar and Resources

4-H Happenings

4-H Grows Here with 4-H shamrock logo

4-H Youth Wilderness Day Camp – June 28

4-H Youth learning search and rescue skills
4-H Youth learning CPR

LAST SATURDAY IN JUNE!

Stevens County 4-H and the Stevens County Conservation District are sponsoring this fun filled Youth Day Camp at Camp Princess Pine on Lake Thomas, June 28 from 10 am – 3 pm.

This event is free to youth ages 8-18 with lunch provided. Youth will rotate through several stations throughout the day to learn emergency first aid, water safety, wildfire safety, basic survival skills, and plant/tree identification. Stations provided by our partners US Forest Service, WA Department of Natural Resources, Stevens County Search and Rescue, and EMT’s.

There will be a fun scavenger hunt and participants will make a tye dye t-shirt to take home.

Call Shannon at 509-684-2588 (or email sgordon@wsu.edu) to register with your name, email address, and t-shirt size.

A responsible adult is asked to spend the day. Adults can rotate through the stations or bring a comfy outdoor chair to enjoy the day.

For information about our 4-H program, visit our website: 4-H Youth | Stevens County or contact Shannon Rowley, 509-684-2588

Master Gardener News

Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program flower logo

NEW Gardening Resource!

Local Weeds and Insects

Your Stevens County Master Gardeners have been hard at work compiling lists of local weeds and bugs for you to have a handy quick reference guide. There are 3 “carousels” available:

  • Weeds to Watch Out For
  • Insects to Watch Out For
  • Beneficial Insects
Look up Local Weeds & Bugs
Screenshot of the new local weeds and insects gallery on the Master Gardeners Answer Clinic page. Image shows 3 cards as a sample, each has the picture of a weed, name of the weed, and information about the weed, with a link to more comprehensive information.

NEW in 2025! Washington Green School

Updated, Easy-to-Use Curriculum! 2 New Chapters!

Anyone can attend. 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!

Image of Washington Green School Coming Fall 2025 announcement
Join Us! Apply for Oct 2025 class.

Washington Green School - Comparison of Two Course Track Options

Options AvailableWashington Gardener Certificate Track
Washington Green School logo		Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Track
Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program flower logo
Online Course & Virtual InstructionYesYes
Local volunteer trainingNoYes
29-Chapter ManualYesYes
Course Quizzes & ExamYesYes
Volunteer HoursNoYes
Continued Annual CommitmentNoYes

Find us at the Chewelah Farmers Market

  • 2nd and 4th Fridays in June and July
Master Gardener booth at Chewelah Farmers Market. 2 Master Gardeners answering a question for a visitor to the booth.

Find us at the Colville Farmers Market

  • 2nd and 4th Saturdays in June and July
Master Gardeners Laura Patterson and Phil Teller working at the booth at Colville Farmers Market


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

Agriculture

Agriculture Logo.

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

Register Here
Picture of 2 women in a garden bent over and looking at a tomato that one woman is holding after picking off the plant. Text below the photo: Explore Your Farm Dreams - Explore Los Pasos Hacia Una Granja - Monday, August 18th online via Zoom 6-9pm - Lunes el 18 de agosto en linea con Zoom 6-9pm. Included are the WSU logo, the Cultivating for Success: Sustainable Small Farms Education logo, and the QR code leading to the website: https://www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org/courseregistration


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)

  • June 16th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
  • June 19th – OFFICE CLOSED for Juneteenth
  • June 23rd, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
  • June 26th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
  • June 27th, 11a-3:30p – MGs at Chewelah Farmers Market
  • June 28th, 9a-1p – MGs at Colville Farmers Market
  • June 28th, 10a-3p – 4-H Youth Wilderness Day Camp
  • June 30th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
  • July 3rd, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
  • July 4th – OFFICE CLOSED for Independence Day
  • July 7th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
  • July 10th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
  • July 11th, 11a-3:30p – MGs at Chewelah Farmers Market
  • July 12th, 9a-1p – MGs at Colville Farmers Market

Other Events

Visit the WSU Extension Forestry page for several April forestry events in Eastern Washington:

Forestry Classes – Northeast Region

Resources

Farmer Assistance Request
Ask A Master Gardener (Submit Questions)
Master Gardeners Facebook Page
The Evergreen Thumb Podcast