4-H Focus – August 2026
Club & Program News
Opportunities for 4-H clubs, activity highlights, and program updates
Congratulations to our 2026 WSU 4-H State Scholarship Award Winners!
Darrin V. received the Lewis County 4-H Scholarship. He will be attending Dordt University and will be majoring in Agricultural Technology with a focus on Farm Operations and Management.
Darrin graduated from Sunnyside Christian High School and has been involved in 4-H for 10 years, showing his mini herd of Brown Swiss cows and earning several Supreme and Reserve ribbons. He has held many leadership roles in the activities he has been involved in, and he is excited to use these skills in his future endeavors.
Congratulations to Darrin and all of our 2026 WSU 4-H State Scholarship recipients! Your dedication, leadership, and hard work embody what it means to be Beyond Ready, and we wish you continued success in your educational and career journeys.
Upcoming County Contests & Events
Year End 4-H Record Book Deadline
Hello Yakima County 4-H! Thank you all for working with us while we update our record book scoring procedure. It is almost time to score books at the 4-H office, and we can’t wait to see all of the hard work that the youth members have done this year!
- Club leaders, you, a parent or volunteer are free to begin dropping your club’s record books off at the extension office at your convenience. We would like as many books as possible to be dropped off before September 1 so that we can begin scoring. *If you are unable to drop books off at the office, please send me an email so I can help.
- Youth members and clubs that are attending the Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo and the Central Washington State Fair may keep their record books until after those fairs are over.However, the 4-H year ends September 30th, so please turn them in as soon as possible so that we can get them scored and awards processed before the awards dinner on November 1st. We appreciate your help with this.
- Record books will be scored by staff and volunteers, according to the Yakima County 4-H Official Record Book Scoresheet.
- We will also be scoring record books for Medal of Honor at this time. Please submit the Recommendation for Medal of Honor Award form with the record book if the youth member would like to try for Medal of Honor. Record books that do not have this form, will not be considered. More information about Medal of Honor can be found on our website on the Medal of Honor webpage.
**We will need several adults to help with record book scoring**
Please reach out to Autumn Britt at Autumn.Britt@wsu.edu if you are willing to help score record books in August or September so we can schedule a time for you to come in. Your help is GREATLY appreciated!
Welcome Our New 4‑H Partner: 20% Off Small Pet Select!
We’re excited to share that Small Pet Select has joined Washington State 4‑H as a new partner, supporting the youth, families and volunteers who care for small animals across our programs.
As part of this partnership, 4‑H families can enjoy 20% off their purchases at Small Pet Select using code SMALLPET4H. It’s a great way to stock up on high‑quality hay, bedding, treats, and supplies for your small pets.
We’re grateful for partners who believe in the hands‑on learning and compassion that 4‑H youth bring to animal care every day.
Help us to Fundraise!
Shop & Support Yakima County 4-H
Did you know your everyday grocery shopping can help support local youth? 
When you link your Fred Meyer Shopper’s Card to Yakima County 4-H through the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program, a portion of what you spend goes directly back to our county 4-H programs — at no extra cost to you!
Here’s How to Enroll:
- Log in to your Fred Meyer account
- Go to “My Account”
- Scroll to Community Rewards
- Search for Yakima County 4-H (or enter our organization code VD792)
- Click Save — and you’re done!
It’s that easy — and every purchase helps make a difference for Yakima County 4-H members. Thank you for supporting local youth and helping 4-H grow strong in our community!
Teen Opportunities
Events, conferences, and scholarships just for teens
Teen Opportunities Calendar
Lead to Change Grant
Big change starts with one idea. If you’re doing good in your community this summer, Lead to Change can help you take it further. 
Deadline to apply is September 15th.
Fair News
Important updates for families participating in our fairs
Fair Calendar
*New* 4-H Fair Form and Record Book Completion Deadline
Yakima County 4-H is moving our 4-H record book scoring to the end of the 4-H year in September in order to allow youth members to include their fair experiences and finalize their market sales before their record book is scored for 4-H year completion and Medal of Honor.
To assist with this change and maintain accountability, the Yakima County 4-H office requires that all 4-H youth members participating in livestock projects at Yakima County Fairs (including those from other counties) turn in a Yakima County 4-H Fair Form (linked and attached) at check-in to participate.
This form attests that the youth member has followed the animal ownership timeline, that they agree to follow the 4-H behavior expectations and that they will complete their record book and submit it to the Yakima County 4-H office for scoring in September as one of the requirements to complete their 4-H year. Yakima County 4-H Fair Forms will be collected at fair check-in and retained by the WSU Extension Office.
*Non-Yakima County 4-H participants are still required to submit The Yakima County Fair Form to participate and will attest that they agree to meet the 4-H requirements of their home county.
IMPORTANT: Fairs are independent organizations and are free to set their own requirements for record books in addition to those set by Yakima County 4-H.
At this time, Central Washington Junior Livestock Show and West Valley Fair will still require record books and scoring will be done by the fairs themselves. Yakima County 4-H youth participating in these fairs will turn in their record book at the fair, then update and complete it for scoring by the Extension Office in September for 4-H year completion.
We recognize that this is a big change, and we appreciate your patience and your assistance as we adapt our systems to better meet the needs of our youth members, volunteers and staff. Please reach out to with any questions you may have and we will be happy to help.
Thank you for being a part of Yakima County 4-H. We’re glad you’re here!
Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo – Grandview
Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo Exhibitor Weigh-in and Drop-off Schedule
Fair Exhibitors – Important Weigh-In & Still Life Drop-Off Information! It’s almost fair time! Please make note of the following dates and times.
Still Life Project Drop-Off: Monday, August 3rd from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Please note: Still life projects will ONLY be accepted during this time, so please plan accordingly.
Animal Weigh-In Schedule: Tuesday, August 4th
- Goats: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Small Animals: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Sheep: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Beef and Dairy: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Swine: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Please arrive during your designated time and make sure all required paperwork and animals are ready. We look forward to seeing everyone and wish all of our exhibitors the best of luck at the fair!
Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo Market Animal Cost Analysis for Exhibitors
Market Animal Exhibitors: Please review the YVFR Market Animal Cost Analysis Sheet before weigh-in.
This form must be completed in order to receive your stall card. Having your information ready will help you quickly complete this following weigh-in.
Sheep Exhibitor Fair Tag Assistance and Clarification for Weigh-in
Attention SHEEP exhibitors: The fair tags this year are a bit different than in the past and we acknowledge the issues many of you are having with getting your fair tags into your lamb’s ears. We will allow and help with tagging of your lambs at fair weigh in if you are unable to do so prior to fair. If you do tag prior to fair, we are finding that a Y.TEX tagger is working.
Also clarification- you are not required to submit another picture of your animal with the new fair tags. We will be verifying your animal at weigh-in with your scrapie’s tag and picture of your animal that you submitted at time of registration.
Round Robin Showmanship Rule Change
Attention Exhibitors! Please be aware of an important Round Robin Showmanship rule change:
If an exhibitor wins Showmanship in multiple species, they must declare before leaving the ring after each subsequent win which species they will represent in the Round Robin competition.
For any species the exhibitor chooses not to represent, the Reserve Champion Showman in that species will advance and compete in the Round Robin.
Fair Updates!
*New for 2026: Record books are no longer required for fair registration. However, all livestock exhibitors must submit the required Yakima County 4-H Fair Form (PDF) at check-in. Market exhibitors will also need to complete the Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo Cost Analysis Form before receiving stall cards. Optional record book judging will still be available, with prizes awarded by division.
Questions? Please reach out to registeryvfr@gmail.com. Be sure to check out the important announcements on the YVFR Exhibitors & Parents group page.
Important Livestock Update for the 2027 Fair Year
The Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo Livestock Committee and Fair Board has voted and approved a new exhibitor rule that will take effect beginning with the 2027 Fair.
Exhibitors will be limited to TWO (2) LARGE ANIMAL SPECIES, including both market and breeding animals.
SMALL ANIMAL SPECIES ARE NOT INCLUDED in this limit.
This change was carefully considered by the Livestock Committee and Fair Board and is intended to help ensure a positive experience for exhibitors, volunteers, and fair operations while supporting the continued growth of our livestock program.
We wanted to share this information well in advance so exhibitors and families have plenty of time to plan for the 2027 fair season.
Thank you for your continued support of the Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo!
Livestock Costume Contest for Creative Exhibitors
Get ready for one of the most FUN events at the fair — the Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo Livestock Costume Contest! 
Dress up your livestock, show off your creativity, and compete for awesome prizes! Whether your animal is a superhero, a fairy princess, a rock star, a wizard, or something completely unique, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo Livestock Judging Contest Pre-registration Deadline
Clubs & Chapters Wanted for YVFR Educational Booths!
The Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo is looking for 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, and community organizations to create educational display booths in the Jones Building during the 2026 fair! These booths help create educational displays that showcase the agriculture of the Yakima Valley but also the various clubs and organizations in the area.
Each participating organization is guaranteed a $60 entry payment. Then will be judged against other like booths (i.e. 4-H, FFA, Senior Organization, etc) with additional awards of:
🥇 First Place — $150
🥈 Second Place — $125
🥉 Third Place — $100
The judging criteria will be:
- Originality – 20 points
- Educational Value – 30 points
- Quality and Diversity of Display – 30 points
- General Attractiveness – 20 points
Booths should also reflect this years fair theme of “Stars, Stripes, and Fair Lights” in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States. Booth setup will be on Monday, August 3rd by appointment. Takedown is on Sunday, August 9th from 7:00 – 10:00 am.
For more information or to enter a booth, contact Kelly Mears at or 509-840-0449.
*Note: This is open to all groups in Yakima and Benton County. However, the animal portion of the fair is still closed boundaries.
Central Washington State Fair
Calling all Yakima County 4-H members—it’s almost time for the Central Washington State Fair!
Whether you’re exhibiting livestock, showcasing a Still Life project, or competing in one of the many special contests, there are plenty of ways to represent 4-H at this year’s fair!
🐇 4-H Rabbit
🐔 4-H Poultry
🎨 4-H Still Life Exhibits
🎤 Public Presentations & Demonstrations
🥚 Ceramic Egg Decorating
🍲 Crock Pot Chili Cook-Off
🍽️ Table Decorating Contest
New for 2026: Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence by competing for the American Pride Trifecta Buckle! Participate in the Americana-themed Cake or Cupcake Decorating Contest, 250th Year Quilt Square Contest, and America the Beautiful Photography Contest for your chance to earn this special award.
Before registering, be sure to review the 4-H Competition Guide for important rules, classes, exhibitor requirements, and deadlines.
Registration and additional fair information for the rabbit and poultry division can be found on the Central Washington State Fair website.
We can’t wait to see all of your hard work on display. Best of luck as you prepare for another great fair season! 💚
Washington State 4-H Fair – Puyallup
Interested & Qualifying Members
The Extension Office will be contacting members who qualify to participate in the following categories – Horse, Public Presentations, Livestock Judging and more.
If you are interested in exhibiting an animal at the Puyallup State Fair please contact the Extension Office to see if you qualify, by calling 509-574-1600 or emailing Yakima.4H@wsu.edu.
All exhibitors will need to register online at Fair Entry.
West Valley Fair – Wiley City
Congratulations to all of our 4-H exhibitors who participated in the West Valley Fair, with special recognition to our Champion, Reserve Champion, and Final Drive Market winners! We are incredibly proud of the dedication, responsibility, and hard work our members demonstrated throughout the year and during the fair.
Thank you to the buyers, sponsors, volunteers, and community members who support our 4-H youth and help provide meaningful opportunities for them to learn, grow, and succeed.
4-H Showmanship
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Novice Grand Campion | Quinley VanVleck |
| Junior Grand Champion | Emery Groth |
| Junior Reserve Grand Champion | Jett Vinsant |
| Intermediate Grand Champion | Raygan O’Neal |
| Intermediate Reserve Grand Champion | Eli Logozzo |
| Senior Grand Champion | Cash Burton |
| Grand Champion Breeding Beef | Jett Vinsant |
| Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Beef | Emery Groth |
Final Drive 4-H Market Steer
| Award | Youth Members Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Chamption | Raygan O’Neal |
| Reserve Champion | Eli Logozzo |
4-H Showmanship
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Grand Champion | Raygan O’Neal |
4-H Showmanship
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Junior Grand Champion | Madilynn Hovorka |
| Intermediate Grand Champion | Jayden Prater |
| Intermediate Reserve Grand Champion | Chance Galland |
| Senior Grand Champion | London Snyder |
| Senior Reserve Champion | Isabella Hovorka |
4-H Market Rabbits
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | Jayden Prater |
| Reserve Grand Champion | Madilynn Hovorka |
4-H Best of Show
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Best of Show | London Snyder |
| Reserve Best of Show | Jayden Prater |
4-H Showmanship
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Junior Grand Champion | Maris Lockwood |
| Junior Reserve Grand Champion | Brooke Barnes |
| Intermediate Grand Champion | Macie Partlow |
| Intermediate Reserve Grand Champion | Alena Lockwood |
| Senior Grand Champion | Peyton VanVleck |
| Senior Reserve Grand Champion | Shanell Harrison |
4-H Breeding Sheep
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion Ewe | Maris Lockwood |
| Grand Champion Ram | Sutton Gohl |
Final Drive 4-H Market Sheep
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | Peyton VanVleck |
| Reserve Grand Champion | Peyton VanVleck |
4-H Showmanship
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Novice Grand Champion | Gracie Phillips |
| Junior Grand Champion | Hadlee Fox |
| Junior Reserve Grand Champion | Svea Brown |
| Intermediate Grand Champion | Titus Placzek |
| Intermediate Reserve Grand Champion | Grace Morales |
| Senior Grand Champion | Kenadie Snyder |
| Senior Reserve Grand Champion | Dallas Snyder |
4-H Breeding Swine
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | Addy Wagner |
Final Drive 4-H Market Swine
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | Wyatt Blanchard |
| Reserve Grand Champion | Titus Placzek |
4-H Best of Show
| Award | Youth Members Name |
|---|---|
| Best of Show | Jayden Prater |
| Reserve Best of Show | Jayden Prater |
4-H Showmanship
| Award | Youth Members Name |
|---|---|
| Junior Grand Champion | Emery Groth |
| Junior Reserve Grand Champion | Kennedy Burton |
| Intermediate Grand Champion | Raygan O’Neal |
| Intermediate Reserve Champion | Parker Brown |
| Senior Grand Champion | Addison Blanchard |
| Senior Reserve Grand Champion | Shanell Harrison |
4-H Meat Goats
| Award | Youth Members Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | Parker Brown |
| Reserve Grand Champion | Parker Brown |
4-H Dairy Goats
| Award | Youth Members Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | Emmaline Gray |
| Reserve Grand Champion | Raygan O’Neal |
Final Drive 4-H Market Goats
| Award | Youth Member Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | Parker Brown |
| Reserve Grand Champion | Emery Groth |
Central Washington Junior Livestock Show – Toppenish
New Changes coming to 2027 Central Washington Junior Livestock Show!
Market Heifers
Central Washington Junior Livestock Show will be expanding to include Market Heifers. Heifers have to be proven open within 30 days of the Central Washington Junior Livestock Show beef division weigh-in at the owner’s expense, with written proof brought to weigh-in either by a certified lab test or certified veterinarian paperwork.
Beef Division
Beef division weight changes! For both Market Steers and Market Heifers the minimum weight will be 1200 pounds.
Livestock News
Deadlines, news, rules, and opportunities for members in animal agriculture projects
Livestock Events
Open to all Poultry youth in Washington State at the WA State Fair!
We are thrilled to invite all youth ages 5-18 in Washington State to participate in the upcoming 80th Celebratory Show of Washington Junior Poultry Exposition, an APA Style Show taking place from September 23rd-27th at the Washington State Fair in Barn A.
This event is a fantastic opportunity for youth to showcase their hard work and connect with other poultry enthusiasts from across the region. We look forward to seeing the diversity of breeds your members have been raising.
Event Highlights & Educational Opportunities:
- Premium Points: All participants will receive premium points for their entries. I have attached our comprehensive Premium Guide to this email for your reference.
- APA Style Judging: We have the showmanship judge and the poultry judge secured for our show.
- Judging Contest: We will be hosting a Judging Contest for ages 8-18.
- Educational Posters: each participant is required to bring an educational poster to display.
- Fun Contests: Beyond the show ring, we have several fun contests planned to keep the weekend high-energy and engaging for all ages.
- Birdsmanship: Each participant will get to interact with the public, care for the poultry, and practice their public speaking skills in their one hour per day birdsmanship shift.
Logistics & Entries:
- How to Enter: Entry forms are here: https://tinyurl.com/rvw6tmku Entries are due August 15. Please complete forms and return them via email to wajrpoultryexpo@hotmail.com.
- Vet Check: Please remind your members that the mandatory Vet Check will take place on the evening of September 22nd or morning of September 23rd.
- Tickets: Entry tickets will be issued to all participants following registration.
We believe this show will be a wonderful environment to practice showmanship and receive professional feedback in an APA-sanctioned format. If you or your members have any questions regarding the schedule or entry requirements, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued leadership and support of youth in agriculture!
Equine News
Updates and opportunities for horse project members
Equine Events
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) & Equine Strangles in Yakima County
We want to share this recent update from the Equine Disease Communication Center regarding a confirmed case of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) & Equine Strangles in Yakima County.
At this time, there are no changes to our county 4-H horse activities, and no action is required from clubs. However, please continue to maintain good hygiene practices with your horses and be on the look out for any unusual symptoms.
If you’d like to read the full notice, you can find it on the Equine Disease Communication Center website.
Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or want help interpreting any of the guidance. We’ll continue monitoring updates and will share anything relevant to our local programs.
Thank you for everything you do and for being a part of Yakima County 4-H 🍀
Yakima County 4-H Horse Council Meeting
Interested in volunteering within the 4-H horse program? Please join us Wednesday, August 12th at 6:00 pm in the Extension Office Small Conference Room for the Yakima County 4-H Horse Council Meeting.
Equine Judges Training – Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for the Washington State 4-H Equine Judges Training, from October 31st to November 1st, 2026, at the Evergreen State Equestrian Park in Monroe, Washington. Stay tuned for more information!
Horse Judges List
The Washington State 4-H Horse Page has been updated, with a section about Judges Information. Anyone looking to hire a judge for a 4-H horse competition can find the current version of the WSU 4-H Horse Judges List. Those that are interesting in becoming a judge can also find out the latest information about the Steps to Become a 4-H Judge, and any news regarding upcoming judges trainings.
Kittitas County 4-H Invites Yakima 4-H Horse Members to Events!
Kittitas County 4-H has generously invited members from Yakima County 4-H to participate at some of their equine events!
Equine event schedule:
- October 4th – Fall Leader’s Show (Bloom)
For more information on this event please refer to the Kittitas County 4-H Newsletter on their website.
If you have any questions, please contact the Kittitas County 4-H Program Manager, Amy Alder at amy.alder@wsu.edu or by calling 509-388-2588.
News You Can Use
Local events and opportunities through WSU Extension and our community partners
Other Upcoming Opportunities
Free Gardening Classes at Ahtanum Youth Park
A big thank you to the Yakima Master Gardeners for continuing to provide these wonderful educational opportunities for our community! If you haven’t had the chance to attend one of their gardening classes yet, there are still two great sessions remaining this season.
Location: Ahtanum Youth Park, Union Gap (Next to the Demonstration Garden, behind the arborvitae.) Please bring a chair and join us!
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
- Saturday, August 8th – Attracting Birds, Pollinators, and Other Creatures to Your Native Garden – Learn how to combine trees, shrubs, and perennials to create a thriving habitat for birds and pollinators. Presented by Mikki Boughton, Heritage Garden Coordinator.
- Saturday, August 22nd – Adopt a Monarch + Best Native Plants for Beneficials – Led by Dr. David James, WSU Associate Professor of Entomology, this class explores monarch butterflies and the best native plants to support pollinators and other beneficial insects.
The Art of Range Podcast
The Art of Range podcast provides education through conversation with some of the brightest minds in rangeland management and livestock production. Washington State University rangelands and livestock specialist Tip Hudson interviews researchers, ranchers, and resource professionals to bring you extended discussion on topics that are of interest to anyone in rangelands work. A new episode releases every two weeks. This project is funded by a grant from the Western Center for Risk Management Education. Tune in to an episode by going to the Art of Range website.
New! WSU Yakima Extension Office Facebook Page
Have you heard? The WSU Yakima County Extension Office is now on Facebook!
Our Extension team is proud to serve the community with a wide range of educational programs, including:
- 4-H and Youth Development
- Tree Fruit
- Farmer Suicide Prevention
- Animal and Agriculture
- Master Gardener Program
- Consumer Food Safety and Canning
Be sure to follow and like our new page to stay up-to-date on the latest news, resources, and program offerings. We’d also appreciate your help in spreading the word—share our page with friends and family so they know we’re now on Facebook!
4-H Resources & Important Links
Quick links, references, and other useful information for 4-H clubs and families
“WSU Yakima County Extension empowers our families, communities, and local partners through a network of educators and volunteers to provide research-based outreach and creative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship, and quality of life.”
Alison White – Regional Specialist
4-H Youth Development
alison.white@wsu.edu
Autumn Britt – 4-H Program Manager
4-H Youth Development
autumn.britt@wsu.edu
Katlyn Shockey – 4-H Program Specialist
4-H Youth Development
yakima.4h@wsu.edu
katlyn.shockey@co.yakima.wa.us