Thurston County 4-H News
Soar in to Celebrate America at the Thurston County Fair!
The 2026 Thurston County Fair is July 30 through August 2, 2026!
- The deadline to upload all animal information (except horse and dog) in each 4-H member 4-H Online profile is June 1.
- All entries (animals and still life) are to be completed online through FairEntry beginning June 1. Animal registration will close on July 1. Entering early will help the check-in process go more smoothly.
- Be sure to familiarize yourself with the 4-H Still Life Exhibitor Guide and 4-H Animal Exhibitor Guide before entering classes in FairEntry.
- Camping reservations open up on June 1. Go to the Thurston County Fair website to reserve your space.
- New this year: Sign ups for County Level Presentations and 4-H In Action will be done in FairEntry. You will be required to choose a time slot when entering these classes. Contact the 4-H Office if you need to reschedule or make changes to your entry.
- Check out the Exhibitor Calendar to plan ahead for Fair week.
Pack Goat Challenge and Trail Dog Contest
Mark your calendar! The 2026 Thurston County Pack Goat Challenge and Trail Dog Contest is Saturday, June 6 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, during the Lacey Rotary annual Duck Dash event.
Pack Goat Challenge:
- Saturday, June 1, 11:00 a.m. (Check-in between 10:30-11:00 a.m.)
- Thurston County Fairgrounds, East Arena
- Cost: $10.00
Registration: Register no later than Friday, May 29. Please complete the Pack Goat Challenge Google Form to register.
Trail Dog Contest:
- Saturday, June 1, 2:00 p.m. (Check-in between 1:30-2:00 p.m.)
- Thurston County Fairgrounds, East Arena
- Cost: $10.00
Registration: Register no later than Friday, May 29. Please complete the Trail Dog Contest Google Form to register.
Email Jenny Taylor at jenny4h@ymail.com or call/text (360) 701-6470 for complete information and rules. Sponsored by the 24 Carrots 4-H Club.
Register Now for a District Level Public Presentation
One of the most valuable activities that 4-H offers is public presentations. In giving a public presentation, the 4-H member learns public speaking along with skills such as planning, how to communicate their thoughts and how to answer questions from an audience. 4-H members are required to give a District Level Public Presentation/Demonstration to qualify for a presentation at the Thurston County Fair.
Registration for the Thurston County 4-H District Level Presentations is now open. The presentations will be held in the WSU Extension Office, Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Olympia, and are scheduled as follows:
- June 18, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- July 7, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
To register, log into your 4-H Online profile, click on “Events”, then click on one of the available dates. Please choose only one date and one time slot. You’ll receive a confirmation email once you’ve submitted your registration.
If a member is unable to attend either of the District Level Public Presentation opportunities above, they may give their presentation during the June 22 4-H Council meeting. If you plan to give a District Level Public Presentation at the June 22 Council meeting, please email tc4h@co.thurston.wa.us no later than June 18 to schedule a presentation time.
An additional option is the “walk on” presentation day on July 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the 4-H Horse Barn area.
You can find tips on how to give a 4-H presentation here: Getting to the Point: How to Do a Public Presentation.
Please contact us at tc4h@co.thurston.wa.us if you have questions or need assistance registering for a presentation.
Pullorum-Typhoid (PT) Testing for Poultry
Washington State law requires all poultry, with the exception of waterfowl, dove, pigeons and market birds, over the age of 16 weeks are required to show proof of a negative Pullorum-Typhoid (PT) test within 90 days of the fair or come from an NPIP certified facility. *See WAC-16-59-030 below. An NPIP certificate OR negative PT test results will be required when you present your birds for vet check at the Thurston County Fair.
Dr. Natalee Andrews has volunteered to provide the testing to our Thurston County 4-H and FFA families at no cost. The test itself consists of a collecting a small drop of blood from each bird. It is minimally invasive and only takes a few seconds. Results are given within 10-15 minutes.
The testing will take place in the Peterson Barn at the Thurston County Fairgrounds on:
- June 28th from 9:30am-12:30am
- July 15th from 3:30-6:30pm
Sign up here: Thurston County Poultry PT Testing Sign Up. Please choose a date and time for your family. Note: Each time slot will accommodate three birds. If your family is bringing more than three birds please sign up for the total number of spots you will need (e.g., six birds will need two time slots).
Please note the change in the Animal Sciences Exhibitor Guide that states the minimum age requirement for all birds (except market poultry) must be at least 16 weeks old in order to show.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email the 4-H Poultry Superintendent, Kristin Nelson at kcnelson10@gmail.com.
*WAC 16-59-030 Pullorum-typhoid:
- (1) All poultry that are going to public exhibition, including exhibition, exotic, and game birds, but excluding waterfowl, doves, and pigeons must:
- (a) Come from U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks, as defined in the National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions, Title 9 C.F.R., Section 145.53; or
- (b) Have had a negative pullorum-typhoid test within ninety days before going to public exhibition.
- (2) The department maintains a copy of the National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions for public inspection. You may also find the information on the internet at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/9cfrv1_06.html
Join the Parade and Help Promote 4-H and the Thurston County Fair!
The Thurston County Fair is looking for 4-H clubs to walk with the Cow Van during the local parades this summer.
Save the Dates:
- Yelm Prairie Days: Saturday, June 27
- Tumwater July 4th Parade: Saturday, July 4
- Capital Lakefair Parade: Saturday, July 18
If your group is interested in joining one or all of the parades, contact the Fair Office to sign up! Email Thomasina.Cooper@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-786-5453.
Thurston County 4-H Hunting Skills Project’s “Beary” Good April Meeting
Submitted by Justin Spruiell, Hunting Skills Project Leader
4-H Hunting Skills is a project that focuses on developing responsible, ethical and safe hunters by teaching wildlife conservation and outdoor survival skills. Ryan McNiff from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife visited the Hunting Skills project meeting in April and gave a talk about bear biology, behavior and reducing human/animal conflicts. Youth participants had the opportunity to see a grizzly bear trap in action and learned to install bear fencing around a campsite. The day ended with a hike in the woods which included simulating animal encounters with bears and mountain lions and allowing kids a chance to deploy inert bear spray when encountering the artificial animals.
If your club or project has an interesting story to share, please email your article and photos to tc4h@co.thurston.wa.us.
4-H Last Chance Clinic
The Thurston County 4-H Petersen Barn Committee invites you to the fourteenth annual Last Chance Clinic! Members enrolled in the 4-H rabbit, cavy, cat, poultry, and pocket pets projects will enjoy fitting and showing, make a fair mascot craft, learn more about the judging contest, and gain knowledge about their animal projects.
Date: June 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Thurston County Fairgrounds, Peterson Barn
Cost: $5.00 per person. Payment (cash or check) will be accepted at check-in the day of the clinic.
All participants must pre-register by Saturday, June 13. Classes may be combined or the clinic may be canceled due to lack of registrations. To register, complete this Google Form.
Thurston County 4-H Council
The Thurston County 4-H Council meets the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise announced. 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.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: Council Zoom Link Meeting ID: 933 0900 5414 Passcode: 345746
4-H EP14 Policy Reminder
To help keep all young people safe, WSU is requiring all 4-H clubs to register all youth events, including club meetings and activities, under the Protection and Safety of Minors Policy (UPPM 50.32). Any 4‑H activities that were not reported to the Thurston County 4-H Office before the December deadline should continue to be submitted before they occur. Please email information about your events, including description of the event, date, beginning and end times, and address where the event will be held to tc4h@co.thurston.wa.us.
Read about the Protection and Safety of Minors Policy (UPPM 50.32) to learn more.
Important Dates to Remember:
- June 18 – District Level Presentations, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, WSU Extension Office (registration required, sign up in 4-H Online beginning May 21)
- June 28 – Poultry PT (Pullorum-Typhoid) testing, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Petersen Barn, Thurston County Fairgrounds
- July 1 – FairEntry closes for all Animal registration
- July 1 – 4-H Zoe Cook Scholarship Due in 4-H Online
- July 7 – District Level Presentations, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, WSU Extension Office (registration required, sign up in 4-H Online beginning May 21)
- July 12 – District Level Presentations, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Horse Barns (walk-on only, no registration required)
- July 13 – Fair Superintendent meeting, 6:30 p.m., Expo Building, Thurston County Fairgrounds
- July 15 – Poultry PT (Pullorum-Typhoid) testing, 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM, Petersen Barn, Thurston County Fairgrounds
- July 22 – Enter 4-H still life entries, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Sharp Building
- July 28 – Enter 4-H Foods, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Sharp Building
- July 29 – 4-H Animal Haul-in; enter 4-H plant science/gardening, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Deck Building
- July 30 – August 2 – Thurston County Fair
Go to Tuesday News to find out what’s happening in 4-H statewide.
Follow the Washington State 4-H WSU Facebook page for statewide 4-H opportunities and announcements.
