4-H Focus

Opportunities for volunteers, activity highlights and volunteer needs

Level 1 Training – Shooting Sports Rifle & Archery, Bothell, WA – July 26 & 27

Are you currently a 4-H volunteer that would like to be certified in Archery or Rifle in your 4-H County club program, or to renew your certification? Volunteers need to be certified in a discipline to add these projects to their volunteer profile in 4-H Online. 

Our next 4-H Level 1 Shooting Sports training will be held on July 26 & 27 in Bothell. Hours are 9 am – 5 pm each day with a working lunch. We will offer Archery and Rifle on Saturday and Archery again on Sunday.  Cost: $50 for one discipline, $85 for two; deposit required upon registration. 

The cost per person will be $50 for one discipline and $35 for the second discipline. All registrations will be done on 4-H Online for Shooting Sports trainings going forward to make the process easier on our participants and staff. Registration will open on June 21st in 4-H Online.  In order to save your spot, a non-refundable deposit of $35 will be required at time of sign up, with the remainder being paid by cash or check on the day of training. 

Registration opens up on Saturday, June 21st and closes July 21st. Go to 4-H Online click on Events and choose the Level 1 Shooting Sports Training, July 26-27 Bothell to complete your registration.

This training will be held at the WCW Shooting Sports Club, 1031 228th St SW, Bothell, WA 98021 in Snohomish County. You will need to be an current volunteer and approved by your local 4-H county office staff in order to participate. Any questions? Contact us at 4h.shooting.sports@wsu.edu 

Yakima County Council Meeting – August 11th at 6:30 pm

All 4-H youth members, volunteers and families are invited to attend the Yakima County Council meetings. Your input is greatly needed to make decisions on up coming events. Please consider joining us on August 11th at 6:30 pm in the Yakima County Resource Center – Large Conference Room, 2403 S. 18th Street Suite 100, Union Gap, WA.

Yakima County Council Documents Available on Google Drive

In efforts to keep our 4-H community actively involved with decision making process, the Yakima County Council Board members and Extension Office have teamed up in making our documents transparent to all through Google Drive. All meeting agenda, minutes & budgets can be found accessed by the public at all times through Google Drive. If you have anything that you would like to add to the next meeting agenda you may contact the 4-H Program Manager, Autumn at Autumn.Britt@wsu.edu or 509-574-1578.

Ignite by 4-H 2026

Get Beyond Ready for Ignite by 4-H 2026! We’re heading back to Washington, D.C. – March 25–29, 2026

Explore six powerful tracks:

• AgriScience
• STEM
• Healthy Living
• Community Accelerators
• NEW: Animal Science
• NEW: CWF – Citizen Washington Focus (Civic Engagement)

Teens from across the country will come together to spark ideas, build leadership skills, and get Beyond Ready for whatever pathways their futures hold. Early Bird Registration opens July 17!

Looking for a scholarship to help you financially attend? Apply online for the 2026 Ignite by 4-H Scholarship Application until July 17th at 12:00 pm. Or apply to present a workshop at the upcoming Ignite Conference on SmartSheet. Let’s make Ignite 2026 the biggest yet!

Pre-Register for the 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at the West Valley Fair – July 13th

Are you participating in the 4-H Livestock Judging Contest on July 17th? If so, please pre-register for this event by July 13th! We will still be accepting walk-up participants, however, by pre-registering will help us to ensure that there are enough judging cards for everyone.

Washington State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Moses Lake

Division Teams & Participants

Team Placings

Individual Placings

Scholarship Opportunity for Junior Horse Show Participants

The Washington State Junior Horse Show & Yakima County 4-H are proud to offer the Maravell Gonsioroski Scholarship to active Washington State 4-H members that have participated in the Washington State Junior Horse Show. This $1,000 scholarship is in recognition of Maravell Gonsioroski and the many long hours she spent in service to 4-H. This scholarship requires a separate application be submitted to Yakima County 4-H. For information and to apply, please visit the Maravell Gonsiorski Scholarship page.

All scholarship applications due August 1st.

Propose Changes to the Washington State 4-H Equine Program Rule Book

Would you like to propose a change to the WA State 4-H Equine Rule Book? The WA State 4-H Equine Committee is listening! Rule proposals are accepted through the WA State 4-H Equine Rule Book Change Request Form until July 15. You can find the above form and additional equine program information on our WA State 4-H Equine page within the WA State 4-H website under Projects / Animal Science / Horse.

Connect with the WA State 4-H Equine Program through email: 4h.equine@wsu.edu; or drop in during State Equine Office Hours hosted on Zoom the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

4th of July Community Celebration at the Central Washington State Fair Park

Have any fun plans for the 4th of July weekend? Enjoy a fun-filled, family-friendly 4th of July at State Fair Park in Yakima! It will be an afternoon of activities, food, and entertainment — all leading up to a spectacular 20-minute fireworks show at 10PM 🎇, sponsored by Yakima County, City of Yakima, and the City of Union Gap.

Find more information on this event by visiting the Central Washington State Fair Website.

Protect your pets this 4th of July!

Did you know, around 45% of dogs have a firework phobia? The noise and unpredictability of fireworks lead many dogs to perceive them as a threat. This triggers their fight-or-flight response. Causing your dog to bark at the noises or try to run away and hide. They may also show other signs of anxiety too, like restlessness, panting, pacing, shaking, or whining. Take additional measures to making your pets comfortable & safe this year. 

• Exercise early! Take a nice long walk early in the day
• Keep pets inside! Fireworks can be very stressful to your pets. Keep them inside where they can be distracted, comfortable, and safe.
• Create a safe place! Set up a comfortable room or crate where your pup can retreat and relax in
• Block the sound! Turn on music the TV, or ambient noise to help mask the sound of fireworks or loud noises
• Provide distractions! Keep them busy with treats, toys, and activities. 
• Clear the yard! Pick up any dangerous firework debri, glowsticks, sparklers & other harmful items that your furry friends could find & ingest.

Don’t leave pets unattended! When they do get outside time leash your pet at all times, even in a fenced yard – as dogs are known to escape the yard when frightened.

Schedule a COMET Training

Do you know what to do when concerned about someone’s mental or emotional well-being? The Yakima County Farm Stress Co-Coordinator, Cheryl Reese, now hosts COMET training for anyone who is interested. In the training, you learn a natural way to talk with a friend, a neighbor, or an acquaintance about difficult topics. Learn a conversational guide and the importance of being “the other person”. In this training you will Practice the COMET intervening questions and plan how you will use COMET to have in conversations about another’s well-being. COMET recognizes our rural values of neighbor helping neighbor, and communities being their own best resource – especially when concerned about another’s emotional and mental well-being. Cheryl is available to present this training to groups that are primarily agriculture based.  If you are interested in having this training held at your meeting or event please reach out by emailing Cheryl.Reese@wsu.edu or by calling 509-574-1584.

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.