Thurston County

Learn How to Can at Home - Basics of Safe Canning
2025-10-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-08 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | WA
Summertime means lots of fresh, sweet fruit and crisp, delicious veggies. Preserve your summer bounty for a well-stocked pantry through the dark, winter months. Join us in discussions on how to preserve fresh food safely, in a series of classes at WSU Extension Thurston County, 5033 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia.
Basics of Safe Canning – July 26th, 6-8pm
Learn the basics of food safety and canning skills, including bacteria and food spoilage, canning equipment, and canning high/low acid foods. Includes demonstration only.
Jams, Jellies and Spreads – August 2nd, 6-8pm
Delight in the bright, fresh flavors of summer fruits and discover how easy it is to capture sunshine in a jar. Learn how to create that perfect balance of sugar, fruit and other ingredients to enhance flavor and shelf-life with research-based recipes. Low and no sugar recipes covered. Come prepared to cook during this hands-on session, and take home a jar of fresh-made jam!
Pickling and Fermenting – August 23rd, 6-8pm
Crisp, tasty pickles are a true test of a canner’s skill. Learn how to make your perfect pickle! In addition, we will look at the traditional art of fermentation, with a hands-on sauerkraut-making session. Come prepared to cook and take home a jar of freshly-made sauerkraut!
Class size is limited and pre-registration is required for the three in-person workshops. Cost is $25 per workshop or take all three for $60 and save $15! Register by emailing, melissa.davis2@wsu.edu, or phone: 360-867-2172.
Instructor Melissa Davis grew up watching her grandma preserve her garden’s bounty, and enjoying jar after jar of raspberries and pickled beets. She’s been in-love with canning ever since. After many preservation fails, she began her quest to learn the best and safest methods for home canning. Through WSU’s Food Preservation training, she learned the most up-to-date science and protocols for safe food preservation.
For more information on any of the courses, contact Melissa Davis, WSU Thurston County Extension, melissa.davis2@wsu.edu, (360) 867-2172.
Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Evidence of non-compliance may be reported through your local Extension Office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact the Extension Office (360) 867-2177, bordeld@co.thurston.wa.us at least two weeks prior to the event.

**Also see:

Jams, Jellies and Spreads – August 2nd, 6-8pm
Pickling and Fermenting – August 23rd, 6-8pm

4-H Horse Committee Meeting
2025-10-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-12-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-02 19:00 - 20:30 | WA
The Thurston County 4-H Horse Leader Committee meets the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the WSU Extension Office. The Horse Committee meetings are for planning and coordinating project related pre-fair and county fair activities. Enrolled 4-H volunteers and 4-H teen leaders enrolled in the horse project are encouraged to attend.
Meetings are sometimes rescheduled due to illness or weather. Please confirm meeting date/time before attending.

4-H Dog Committee Meeting
2025-10-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-12-08 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-12 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-09 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-09 19:00 - 20:30 | WA
The Dog Committee meetings are for planning and coordinating project related pre-fair and county fair activities. Enrolled 4-H volunteers and 4-H teen leaders enrolled in the dog project are encouraged to attend.
Meetings are sometimes rescheduled due to illness or weather. Please confirm meeting date/time before attending.

Fun with Huecheras - workshop at Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden
2025-10-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Closed Loop Park, 2420 Hogum Bay Road Northeast, Lacey, WA 98516, USA, Lacey, WA, 98516, United States
Free and open to the public!
This session will focus on heuchera care and history:

Viewing the many varieties at Closed Loop Park
Heuchera care, planting ideas, and propagation
Water requirements by month
Overwintering

We will be outside for the duration of this program and will be standing and walking. Surfaces are grassy, graveled and paved.
Please plan clothing and footwear accordingly.
Seating is limited and you are welcome to bring your own chair.
Meet at the Nisqually Shed.
No advanced registration required, just show up.
Free and open to all!
Hosted by the WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program.

Learn How to Divide Dahlias - workshop at Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden
2025-10-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Closed Loop Park, 2420 Hogum Bay Road Northeast, Lacey, WA 98516, USA, Lacey, WA, 98516, United States
Free and open to the public!
Learn about Dahlia cleanup and care for fall and winter. Topics discussed will include how to overwinter in the ground, and a demonstration of how to dig and divide tubers for winter storage.
We will be outside for the duration of this program and will be standing and walking. Surfaces are grassy, graveled and paved. Please plan clothing and footwear accordingly.
Seating is limited and you are welcome to bring your own chair.
Meet at the Gazebo.
No advanced registration required, just show up.
Free and open to all!
Hosted by the WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program.

4-H Peterson Barn Committee Meeting
2025-10-30 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-30 19:00 - 20:30 | WA
The 4-H Peterson Barn (Small Animal) Committee meetings are for planning and coordinating project related pre-fair and county fair activities. Enrolled 4-H volunteers and 4-H teen leaders enrolled in the small animal projects are encouraged to attend.
Meetings are sometimes rescheduled due to illness or weather. Please confirm meeting date/time before attending.
The Peterson Barn Committee meets via Zoom:
Zoom link – Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/95078594071?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 950 7859 4071
Passcode: [REDACTED]

4-H Robotics Project Meeting
2025-11-13 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-12-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-22 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-26 18:30 - 20:00 | WA
The 4-H Robotics Project meetings are open to all currently enrolled Thurston County 4-H youth members. Please contact us at tc4h@co.thurston.wa.us for more information and to RSVP. Meetings are every second and fourth Thursday (6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) of each month through July 9, 2026.

4-H Leader's Council Meeting
2025-12-22 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-26 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-23 19:00 - 20:30 | WA
The Thurston County 4-H Council is our county-wide advisory board. Enrolled 4-H volunteers and 4-H teen leaders are encouraged to attend. Thurston County 4-H Leaders Council meeting are currently being held via Zoom.
Please refer to this guide on Joining WSU Zoom Meetings before trying to join the meeting:
https://confluence.esg.wsu.edu/display/KB/Zoom+-+Joining+Meetings+and+Best+Practices

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93309005414?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 933 0900 5414
Passcode: [REDACTED]

4-H Peterson Barn Committee Meeting
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:30 | WA
The 4-H Peterson Barn (Small Animal) Committee meetings are for planning and coordinating project related pre-fair and county fair activities. Enrolled 4-H volunteers and 4-H teen leaders enrolled in the small animal projects are encouraged to attend.
Meetings are sometimes rescheduled due to illness or weather. Please confirm meeting date/time before attending.
The Peterson Barn Committee meets via Zoom:
Zoom link – Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/98276897671?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 982 7689 7671

Passcode: [REDACTED]

4-H Cat Project Meeting
2026-02-24 18:30 - 20:00 | WA
The 4-H Cat Project is hosted by the Kolts & Kitties 4-H Club and open to all Thurston County 4-H youth enrolled in the cat project. For more information, email koltsnkitties@gmail.com.

Question & Answer Clinic at Lacey Cultural Celebration
2026-03-07 10:00 - 18:00 | Marcus Pavilion At Saint Martin’s University, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, 98503, United States
WSU Master Gardener volunteers and Master Recycler Composter volunteers will be available to help answer your gardening, composting, recycling, and waste reduction questions. There will be fun activities and educational activities at our booths for adults and kids.
