Club, Volunteer & Program News
Leader’s Council 4-H Contest
“Most Prolific Participants”
Attention 4-H’ers!! The Yakima County Leaders Council is giving all 4-H participants an opportunity to win a $25 Visa gift card! The winners for this contest will be the Top 5 4-H participants with the most exhibit entries in the Modern Living Building at the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima. This contest is for Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions. Cloverbuds will get a ribbon and a prize.
Central Washington Junior Livestock Show
Raffle Fundraiser
Purchase a ticket for a raffle fundraiser in support of the Central Washington Junior Livestock Show. For just $10 per ticket you have the chance to win a John Deere Value Series 12 – Granite Textured Liberty Safe! Drawings will take place October 7th, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Ticket purchasers do not need to be present to win, as the winning raffle ticket owner will be contacted after the drawing. If you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket please contact the WSU Yakima County Extension Office at 509-574-1600 or after hours, please call Bonnie at 509-760-8277.
Yakima County 4-H Volunteers Needed
Yakima county is always needing extra hands on deck! Afterall, 4-H wouldn’t be what it is today, without all our leaders & volunteers. If you have an interest in starting up a club, encouraging the youth through skill development, or would just like to get more involved with the community – then this may be the perfect fit for you! Feel free to reach out to the Yakima County Extension office at 509-574-1600 or email us at Yakima.4h@wsu.edu for more information on how to get started.
More Teen Opportunities
There are many wonderful ways for teens, leaders, and clubs – to get engaged in state-wide 4-H events. Teens who are already advanced in their leadership skills, from club and county experiences, find opportunities to grow in leadership with their statewide friends. Visit the state 4-H website for more teen opportunities.
Gourd Decorating – Animal Themed
Please join Yakima 4-H for a fun craft night of gourd decorating on September 13th @ 5:30 pm in the WSU Yakima County Extension Office – Large Conference Room. This seasons craft night will be animal themed! 🐷🐮🐶 We look forward to seeing all the amazing creatures our 4-H’ers create. Hope you will join!
Volunteers: YOUR TIME MATTERS TO US
Every hour you spend supporting 4-H is a donation. All certified 4-H volunteers are required to report hours; reporting protects and supports you and the local program! We ask that you please submit your hours by September 30th & if you need to have the deadline extended for additional assistance, please reach out to Katlyn at yakima.4h@wsu.edu or call 509-574-1600. By reporting your hours you give Yakima County 4-H the numeric proof we need to show our funders and higher-officials that our programs are greatly valued and needed. In addition, reporting your hours makes you eligible for the Department of Labor and Industries medical aid program (this program allows an injured volunteer’s medical expense to be paid by the Dept. of Labor and Industries), and allows you protection under the state of Washington tort claims law, RCW 4.92.060. What qualifies as volunteer hours? Anything and everything you do for 4-H! Teaching, planning, prepping, shopping, helping at fair and other events, paperwork, training, driving, calling, emailing, even reading this counts!
Washington State 4-H
Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
will be held Saturday, October 28 at 12:30 p.m. at The Armory in Ellensburg, WA. All state awardees (Alumni Award, Salute to Excellence Ten Year and Lifetime, Heather Rider Award, Volunteer Staff Award, and [state] Friend of 4-H) for years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 will be honored. All invitations to awardees will be sent directly to the recipients. More information will be forthcoming.
To facilitate further nominations, we are reopening nominations for state awards with a firm deadline of Monday, September 11th at 8:00 a.m. After this deadline, no further nominations will be accepted. To locate nomination forms, go to the State 4-H page.
Volunteers of the Year from each county will be honored through narrated video during the luncheon. The deadline for submitting your Volunteer of the Year has been changed to October 1st; with this deadline, you must submit a high-resolution photo with the nomination if you would like one displayed. County displays will be shown digitally; we will send out instructions for displays no later than Monday, September 11th.
Please join us to honor our deserving volunteers. Those wishing to attend the luncheon who do not receive a personal invitation are welcome to attend at a $20/person cost. More information about reserving your space will be distributed the first week of October. Please contact Jana Ferris ferrisj@wsu.edu OR 425-595-2950 with any questions.
Save The Date!
Annual 4-H Celebration & Leaders Luncheon on November 4th
This years celebration will be scheduled as listed below.
- The Leaders’ Council meeting begins at 10:00 am.
- Honorary Leaders meet at 11:00 am.
- Luncheon begins at Noon in the Terrace Heights Grange
All award applications are available on the 4-H website, Leader, Member and Club Awards Applications and due October 18th.
4-H Member Recognition Awards
Show your gratitude to a specific 4-H member or volunteer by nominating them for one of the following awards,
- Yakima County 4-H Leaders of the Year
- Outstanding Youth of the Year
- Outstanding First Year Club Award
- New Honorary Leader
- Lew Evans Memorial Award
- Inez Walter Award
- Toppenish Rotary Awards – Agriculture & Home Economics
- Certificate of Appreciation Nomination
If you would like to nominate a deserving individual, you can find the applications on our website. Please be sure to submit your nomination by October 18th.
National Leadership Award And
“I Dare You” Scholarship
The American Youth Foundation’s National Leadership Award is a unique opportunity for you to honor extraordinary young people for their character and leadership. The award recognizes youth ages 15-18 years old who strive to be their personal best and positive difference in their schools, youth groups, 4-H clubs and communities. Award recipients receive a personalized award certificate, a copy of William H. Danforth’s motivational book “I Dare You!”, and are eligible to be nominated for the “I Dare You” Scholarship. Choose any four youth ages 15-18 that have completed their freshman year in high school and show outstanding qualities in servant leadership from your 4-H community. Nominations are due in the Extension office on October 20. Forms are available in the Extension office or can be downloaded from the website.
Certificates Of Appreciation
It’s time to say “Thank you” to all the individuals and businesses who’ve helped, donated time, or sponsored your club and/or event. Please send your list to Bonnie at bonnie.abercrombie@co.yakima.wa.us, so they may be invited to the Leader Luncheon and receive a Certificate of Appreciation for their support of 4-H. Due in Extension office October 20.
4-H Record Book Medal of Honor & Completion Judging
Don’t forget to finish up your Record Books and turn them into the Extension office by October 20th, in order to be considered for Medal of Honor and Completion Judging. Club leaders need to complete the form to nominate your members for this award. Forms are available in the Extension office and on the Yakima County 4-H website.
4-H Enrollment News
4-H Enrollment Year
Reminder! Our new 4-H 2023-2024 year starts October 1, 2023. The online enrollment program is currently shut-down. It should be back up in time for enrollments on October 1, when the new year starts. Enroll online at https://v2.4honline.com/.
4-H Youth Membership Fee
The youth membership fee is due at the time of enrollment and is done through the 4-H online system. The fee is $25.00 per youth member. Volunteers do not need to pay the fee. You have the option to pay by credit card, send in a check. To request sponsorship for the membership fee, send an email with member(s) name to yakima.4h@wsu.edu.
Annual 4-H Club Packets
We are currently in the process of putting these together, due to the new 4-H year starting on October 1st, be sure to keep a look out for these within your mail. With the exception of the financial summary, club packets will be due February 1st. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like any help in filling this paperwork out please call to Katlyn at the Extension office at 509-574-1600.
Annual Financial Summaries
Annual Financial Summary Report for October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 are due December 1st. If your club does not have a checking or savings account, please make a note to that fact on the form, sign the form and return it. Any forms that are not completed or signed will be returned. Instructions are in the Leader’s Guide to the Treasurer’s Book (C1059E). If you have any questions, please contact Katlyn at the Extension office 509-574-1600.
Livestock News
Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo in Grandview Contest Results
Dairy Judging Contest
Seniors: Total Score
Claire Sheehan: 355
Jared Sheehan: 333
Zoe Prins: 318
Henrietta Prins: 314
Caiden Beaman: 278
Darrin Vandermeulen: 267
Victoria Gutierrez: 239
Kristina Funston: 234
Hunter Theobald: 173
Intermediates
Andrew Sheehan 317
Willem Leatherman:297
Maylee Smeenk: 254
Annelies Vandermeulen: 246
Weston Smeenk: 231
Kase Leatherman: 227
Hendrika Vanslageren: 199
Juniors
Annelise Sheehan: 228
Devon Smeenk: 183
Livestock Judging Contest
Top 3 from each division in Yakima County
Seniors
1st – Caiden Beaman
2nd – Elise Golladay
3rd – Hailey Schlosser
Intermediates
1st – Payton Turner
2nd – Andrew Dalrymple
3rd – Sarah Golladay
Juniors
1st – Anneliese Sheehan
2nd – Karris Barnes
3rd – Cassie Sims
Fair News
2023 Central Washington State Fair in Yakima
September 22nd – October 1st, 2023. – 1301 S Fair Ave, Yakima, WA 98901
4-H members have many opportunities to participate at our local fair, exhibiting their art projects, showing animals, participating in contests & so much more! For further information on how to participate, or where to find the entry forms, click here!
Washington State 4-H Fair in Puyallup – Creative Kids Projects
- Creative Art Project “Lego Creation”
- Creative Recycling Project “Recycled Cardboard”
- Creative Culinary Project “Cookies”
- Creative Gardening Project “Garden Themed Gift Basket”
- Creative Photo Project “Springtime”
- Creative Poetry Project “Autumn” or “Harvest Time”
Cash awards and rosettes will be awarded and mailed with fair premium checks following the fair. Such awards given within each age group of each class, as follows: 1st place – $15 2nd place – $10 3rd place – $5
All Creative Kids Projects entries are to be delivered to the 4-H Still Life display area. Due no later than 3 pm on Tuesday, September 5th. For more information on general guidelines or the rules of qualifications for each Creative Art Project Design, please request the Creative Kids Projects brochure by emailing, katlyn.shockey@co.yakima.wa.us or by visiting the state 4-H webpage.
Equine News
Yakima County 4-H Horse Council Meeting
This meeting will be hosted at the WSU Extension Office Parking Lot on Wednesday, September 13th at 5:30 pm. We welcome you and your friends to attend this meeting, but please be sure to bring your own: chair, dinner & refreshments!
Topics of Discussion
- Vote on WSH Officers
- WSJHS/Grant County 5 year contract
- WSJHS – possible upsizing of trailer
- Set up of Dressage ring – strategize simpler/better ways to utilize
Important Dates
Equi-Fair discussion/dates – April 27, 2024
WSJHS date – June 27-30, 2024
Compete at the Puyallup Washington State Fair
Did you give a county level public presentation? Were you one that judged horses at the WSJHS? Or are you interested in Groom Squad? You may qualify to compete in those events at Washington State Fair! All of these events are FREE to enter and include admission for the participant and a chaperone. All ages are eligible to do public presentations / demonstrations. Saturday, 9/9, 8am-2pm – Horse judging for Intermediates and Seniors. Individuals may judge, but it’s more fun with friends and a team! If you’re interested, let me know contact Netta Haller ASAP, and we’ll see about putting a team together. Saturday, 9/9, 2pm-6pm – Seniors Groom Squad. Friday, 9/15 – Yakima County Day at the fair! The scheduling is usually pretty flexible, as they usually work with you to accommodate you when you’re available.
Reining Pattern for 2023 4-H State Fair Now Available
The 4-H State Fair reining pattern is now posted on the horse page on the WSU 4-H webpage. Reining will once again be offered at State Fair for Seniors only. The reining pattern is the same as last year to encourage participation since this is only the second year of 4-H reining. And also includes the scoresheet as an educational and judging tool.
Announcement of Dressage Tests for the 2023 4-H State Fair
The dressage tests for English dressage at the 2023 4-H State Fair will be Test 3 for both Training Level 1 and First Level. Western Dressage has come back for the 2023 4-H State Fair and Test 3 for both Basic Level and Level 1. 4-H horse members will only be able to ride either English Dressage or Western Dressage, but not both, due to time constraints related to arena time. These tests are available on the respective governing organizations—United States Dressage Federation (USDF) for English (https://www.usdf.org/) and the the Western Dressage Association of America for Western dressage (https://www.westerndressageassociation.org) The Western Dressage Association of America is the governing body for the Washington State 4-H Horse program. The information in the 2015 PNW 4-H Horse Contest guide on page 20 is outdated. In Washington, we do not use the North American Western (NAW) dressage tests.
Naches Sportsman Day Parade – Saturday, September 9th
Would you like to participate in the parade? Saturday, September 9th at 10 am Sagebrush Riders is hoping to have a few active participants to represent our 4-H club within the parade. If you are a willing participant or if you may be interested in being the official organizer of the event, please contact the club leader, Netta Haller.
News You Can Use
Power Protectors STEM Challenge Kit
Through decades of neglect and waste, Energy Island is in danger of becoming unplugged forever! Now it’s in the hands of the next generation — The Power Protectors — to save it! This kit is ideal for youth ages 8-14 years to spark an interest in STEM and inspire real-world actions. Each kit contains enough supplies for 6 youth and most supplies are reusable. Power Protectors consists of three activities that are highly adaptable for afterschool programs, 4-H clubs, classrooms, home use and more. Please review the below tabs for further information.
Included Activities:
- Superhero Hideout – Kids will learn about renewable energy and apply this knowledge to analyze and assess their own energy use. They’ll design an electrifying Power Protector hideout using their imagination and critical thinking skills to protect Energy Island.
- Amped Up Engineering – Using the Engineering Design Process, kids will design and build a model of a sustainable energy source to help Energy Island survive and thrive. They will use their Super Skills of creativity, problem solving, and innovative thinking to save the day!
- Energy Island Adventure – Playing this collaborative board game, kids work as a SUPER team to achieve a common goal: Help the endangered Energy Island move from its unsustainable carbon-based energy use to renewable solar, wind and hydro power. They use decision making, communication and collaborative skills to play—and WIN—together as The Power Protectors of Energy Island.
For more information regarding the kits contents, be sure to visit the direct link to Shop 4-H by clicking here!
2023 National Hunting & Fishing Day
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration is a great, family-oriented way to introduce youth to target shooting, hunting and fishing. It’s also an opportunity to recognize that hunters and anglers continue to be among the most active supporters of wildlife management and conservation. This year’s event will take place on Sept. 30, 2023, from 9am to 3pm. Located at Camp Cawles located at 4161 N Shore Diamond Lake Rd, Newport WA 99156. Youth 17 and younger who attend the event with an accompanying adult can shoot WDFW firearms, archery equipment and air rifles for free. Agency staff and WDFW hunter education instructors will be on hand to teach shooting safety and provide instruction and guidance.
The event also features:
- Conservation organization displays and info
- Door prize drawings
- Fun giveaways
- Casting practice
- Knot tying
- Fish prints
- Track plaster casting
Pre-register now for WDFW’s National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration on September 30, 2023.
Mental Health Matters: Suicide Prevention Hotline
9-8-8
WSU would like to provide our community with a resource for whenever they feel down. When feelings of hopelessness & doubt start to feel overwhelming, please reach out by calling or texting 9-8-8. We care about you. Your feelings are valid & you don’t have to deal with them alone. Anyone in the United States can call or text the number 9-8-8. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if you or someone you know shows signs of crisis, especially suicide please reach out. For more information regarding how WSU helps to implement a new suicide hotline, please visit their webpage.
Master Gardeners Availability
WSU Yakima County Extension has a privilege of having Master Gardener volunteers within our office. They are an incredible informational resource with a passion for horticulture.
If you have questions regarding a specific species of flowers, our Master gardener volunteers are happy to help! Please note that
they are volunteers and offer their time to the community when they are available. From now until the
end of October, they tend to have office hours throughout the week on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 9 am-12 pm & 1 pm-4 pm.If you would prefer to reach them by phone, please call the Yakima County Extension office at 509-547-1600 & we would be happy to transfer you to them.
Celebrate 4-H Day with Cougar Football!
Save the date! Celebrate 4-H Day with the Cougs in Pullman on September 23rd Washington State Cougars vs. Oregon State University Beavers at Martin Stadium. Game time is yet to be determined. Discounted tickets are available!
4-H Day with the Cougs!
Discounted Tickets Available – PURCHASE HERE
4-H Resources & Important Links
Quick Links
⮚ Yakima County 4-H From Home: https://extension.wsu.edu/yakima/4-h/4-hfromhome/
⮚ Yakima County 4-H website:
http://extension.wsu.edu/yakima/4-h/
⮚ Yakima County Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/YakimaCounty4H
⮚ State 4-H Website: http://extension.wsu.edu/4h/
⮚ Volunteer Reporting Hours – Give Pulse: https://wsu.givepulse.com/group/453176
⮚ Volunteer Sterlings Background screening: https://app.sterlingvolunteers.com/en
⮚ 4-H Online Enrollment Link: https://v2.4honline.com/
⮚ 4-H Online Enrollment: Creating Family Profile Youtube: https://extension.wsu.edu/yakima
⮚ 4HOnline Enrollment Guide: https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites.pdf
Alison White – 4-H Youth Development Regional Specialist
Jennifer Loyd – 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator
Katlyn Shockey – 4-H Youth Development Program Specialist
Yakima.4h@wsu.edu or katlyn.shockey@co.yakima.wa.us
