4-H Focus – July 2026
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WSU Extension Office Closed – Friday, July 3rd
The Yakima County 4-H Office will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The office will reopen during regular business hours on Monday.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we wish you and your family a fun, safe, and memorable Independence Day. Whether you’re attending a parade, enjoying time with loved ones, or watching fireworks, we hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Happy Independence Day! 
Club & Program News
Opportunities for 4-H clubs, activity highlights, and program updates
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!
Upcoming County Contests & Events
Yakima County Council Meeting – July 27th 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 Monday, July 27th at 6:30 pm in the Yakima County Resource Center – Large Conference Room, Side A. Located at 2403 S. 18th Street, Union Gap, WA.
County Public Presentations & Demonstrations
Ready to build confidence, share what you love, and shine as a 4-H member? This year, Yakima County 4-H is offering youth to complete their county-level public presentations during County Council meetings. Creating a supportive, low-stress environment to try something new. And here’s the best part: Blue ribbon recipients automatically qualify to present at the Washington State 4-H Fair in Puyallup!
Whether you love teaching others, demonstrating a skill, or speaking about something you’re passionate about, public presentations are a fantastic way to build confidence, communication skills, and leadership.
Upcoming Presentation Opportunities
- Monday, July 27th at 6:30 PM – Yakima County Resource Center Large Conference Room – 2403 S. 18th Street, Union Gap, WA
For guidelines, tips, and sign up, visit the Yakima County 4-H Public Presentation & Demonstration Guidelines webpage.
*New* Official Public Presentation Scoresheet (Revised 2026)
We’re excited to share that our Public Presentation Scoresheet has been newly revised! This updated version of the score sheet was designed to better support youth in developing their presentation skills while providing clearer, more consistent feedback. Be sure to review the new Yakima County 4-H Public Presentations & Demonstrations Score Sheet (PDF) to see what’s changed and how it can help participants succeed.
Yakima County 4-H Media Makers Workshop Recap
Yakima County 4-H recently hosted its first-ever Media Makers Virtual Workshop on Tuesday, June 23rd! Thank you to everyone who joined us!
During the workshop, participants explored the basics of creating engaging content and learned valuable skills, including:
- Creating fun and eye-catching social media posts
- Telling meaningful stories through photos and media
- Building beginner graphic design skills
- Understanding the key elements of an effective post
This workshop was designed for 4-H members who enjoy photography, graphic design, writing about events, or sharing the accomplishments of their club. Media Reporters play an important role in helping tell the story of Yakima County 4-H by capturing memorable moments and highlighting the amazing experiences happening throughout our program. Their photos, stories, and creative work may even be featured in the Yakima County 4-H Newsletter and on our social media pages.
Interested in becoming one of our next Yakima County 4-H Media Reporters? Stay tuned for future workshops and training opportunities! We look forward to helping more members develop their media and storytelling skills while sharing the incredible impact of 4-H with our community.
Teen Opportunities
Events, conferences, and scholarships just for teens
Teen Opportunities Calendar
Youth Voices Needed!
Parents and Guardians: if you have a youth between 13-18, they are invited to take part in the National 4-H Annual Index survey. Their voice can help shape the future of 4-H! The survey will take about 15-24 minutes to complete and will ask about their 4-H experience in 2025.
The mission of National 4-H Council is to empower youth in 4-H programs to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults. To assess our success in this endeavor, we are conducting an annual study to measure the impact of 4-H on youth and we invite your 4-H’er(s) to respond. This study is also being replicated by 4-H programs in other states nationwide and is described in greater detail below. You are voluntarily deciding whether or not to allow your child to participate in this study. By allowing your child to complete and submit their survey response, you have given your permission for your child to participate. Your child can withdraw from the study at any time.
All supporting information about the study has been sent to Parents of 4-H youth this week through 4-H Online broadcast email. If participating, please complete the survey by July 15th, 2026.
Seeking High School Youth to Pilot 4-H Future Forward!
4-H FutureForward is a pilot initiative that helps 4-H youth translate project work, leadership, and applied learning into an electronic portfolio that can be reviewed for possible college credit through prior learning assessment.
Participants identify a college course they want to pursue and work with a 4-H coordinator to align their 4-H experiences with the course’s learning outcomes. During the pilot, the Spokane County 4-H Intern will help guide the youth through the process. Their portfolio includes evidence such as a résumé, PACT goals, reflections, project records, financial summaries, photos, videos, supporting documents, and a showcase project that demonstrates growth, skill, and learning.
FutureForward helps youth do more than document accomplishments; it helps them demonstrate that what they have learned through 4-H is comparable to college-level learning. By linking their experiences to course outcomes and providing evidence of mastery, participants create a portfolio colleges can review in a rigorous and organized way for possible credit. This approach also aligns with National 4-H Beyond Ready, which emphasizes preparing youth for life and work through skill development, confidence, and readiness for future education and career pathways.
Once a student has been accepted to their college of choice, the completed portfolio may be submitted to the registrar for review for possible credit. In this way, 4-H FutureForward serves as both a youth development strategy and a bridge to higher education, helping students recognize the academic value of their 4-H experiences while strengthening readiness for college and careers.
Parents and youth interested in learning how 4-H can support college and career pathways are encouraged to explore the 4-H FutureForward pilot. To learn how the program works, who may be a good fit, and how to get involved, please contact Tammy Wilson at tammy.wilson@wsu.edu or Alex Gustafson at a.gustafson@wsu.edu.
Applications Now Open for 4-H International Exchange Inbound Hosting
We are looking for families willing to host International Exchange students from Japan and South Korea for three weeks from July 23rd to August 15th. These international youth ages 13-17 are placed with families around the state of Washington, and they will arrive and depart from Ellensburg.
All host families must speak English in the home and have youth between the ages of 9 and 17 to be paired with a host sibling. Interested host families must submit an application with States 4-H Exchange. Families need to have youth in the home the same gender and within three years of the visiting delegate. They do not need to go on tours but seek to be part of the family.
We still have two teen boys – 14 & 15 from Japan and South Korea needing host families for the three week summer program.
Our Academic Yearlong program has three teens that still need placement. These delegates will arrive in August and depart in mid-June 2027. Their student visas require they be enrolled in public high school. Please take the time to read the brief biographical sketches below. Families do not need to be 4-H families in order participate. If you would like to start an application, you can find the host family application here. Their bios are on our webpage.
Information can be found on our Facebook post or at our WSU 4-H States Exchange website with bios of our remaining youth needing placement for summer inbound and Academic Yearlong programs.
For more information or to see the list of visiting delegates, contact Carolyn Russo at carolyn.russo@wsu.edu
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 me with any questions you may have and I will be happy to help.
Thank you for being a part of Yakima County 4-H. We’re glad you’re here!
Washington State Junior Horse Show
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Washington State Junior Horse Show a success. We appreciate the volunteers, hosts, judges, and supporters who contributed their time and effort to ensure the event ran smoothly.
Your willingness to help behind the scenes and throughout the day provided a positive experience for our exhibitors and families. We appreciate your continued support of the Washington State Junior Horse Show and the Yakima County 4-H horse program.
2026 Highpoint Contestant Awards
Special congratulations to Ella Nielsen of the Let’s Ride 4-H Club in Benton County for being named the Overall High Point Contestant at the Washington State Junior Horse Show! Ella earned top honors in three different categories within her division—an incredible accomplishment that reflects her hard work, dedication, and horsemanship. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
| Participation Type | Club Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| Team | Sagebrush Riders 4-H Club | Yakima |
| Team | Let’s Ride 4-H Club | Benton |
| Individual | St. Andrew 4-H Club | Grant Douglas |
| 4-H Divison | Youth Name | Club Name | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | Lynnea Gay | Corral Critters 4-H Club | Spokane |
| Intermediate | Ella Nielsen | Lets Ride 4-H Club | Benton |
| Junior | Henry Smith | Sagebrush Riders 4-H Club | Yakima |
| 4-H Division | Youth Name | Club Name | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audrey Lemaster | Frog Hollow 4-H Club | Spokane |
| 4-H Division | Youth Name | Club Name | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josie Schultz | Lucky Stars 4-H Club | Benton |
| 4-H Division | Youth Name | Club Name | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | Jake Beaudry | Sagebrush Riders 4-H Club | Yakima |
| Intermediate | Ella Nielsen | Lets Ride 4-H Club | Benton |
| Junior | Jenna Menning | Sagebrush Riders 4-H Club | Yakima |
| 4-H Division | Youth Name | Club Name | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | Jason Dodge | Frog Hollow 4-H Club | Spokane |
| Intermediate | Ella Nielsen | Lets Ride 4-H Club | Benton |
Central Washington Junior Livestock Show – Toppenish
Join the Central Washington Junior Livestock Float!
Toppenish will be holding a Wild West Parade on Saturday, July 4th!
All exhibitors and advisors are invited to join the Central Washington Junior Livestock Show parade float! Saddle up, wear your club shirts, and bring a squirt gun for a rootin’ tootin’ good time!
They will be putting finishing touches on our float and staging at 8:30 am! Watch the Central Washington Junior Livestock Facebook page for specific information on the event.
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.
West Valley Fair – Wiley City
Get ready for another exciting year at the West Valley Fair! We’re thrilled to announce this year’s theme: “American Flair at the West Valley Fair”
Join us as we celebrate the heart of our community with incredible livestock exhibits, hardworking youth, handmade creations, and all the red, white, and blue spirit you can imagine. From the barns to the exhibitors, you’ll see dedication, pride, and true American tradition on display.
Mark your calendars, bring the whole family, and come support our amazing exhibitors as they showcase their talents and hard work.
- July 13th – Horse Show
- July 16th – 18th – Livestock Show & Sale
What’s new at West Valley Fair this year?!
- Record books will be due on Saturday, July 11th!
- Animals will NOT be accepted on Wednesday if your record book in not turned in prior to haul-in!
- Entries can be submitted through the Showman App!
For more information on this year’s updates, schedule of events, or 2026 premium book, please be sure to check out the West Valley Fair webpage.
Pre-Register for the West Valley Fair Livestock Judging Contest
Attention All West Valley Fair Chicken Exhibitors
West Valley Fair is hosting a chicken testing event on Thursday, July 9th from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at the West Valley Fairgrounds
This is a free clinic for West Valley Fair Exhibitors only.
Reminder: All poultry to be shown at the upcoming West Valley Fair must be tested and show proof of testing at check-in.
West Valley Fair Blue Barn Contests
Now is the time to start planning and creating your entries! Did you know that while livestock exhibits are limited to Upper Valley participants, Blue Barn (Still Life) exhibits are open to youth from across Yakima County?
Whether your talents include:
- Baking
- Sewing
- Food Preservation
- Floral Arrangements
- Arts & Crafts
- Pallet Upcycle Projects
…there’s a place for your creativity at the fair!
All entries are due to the Blue Barn July 11th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Don’t forget to complete your entry form before drop-off! The Blue Barn entry forms can be found on the Yakima County 4-H Forms & Policies page under the Project Forms section.
Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo – Grandview
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.
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.
Washington State 4-H Fair – Puyallup
FairEntry Office Hours
If you need help making entries in FairEntry, there will be office hours available on most Tuesday through the end of July. They will alternate between Noon and 6:00 pm. This is open to all 4-H families in Washington. General help will be given to make entries into FairEntry for County Fairs and State Fair. For specific County Fair questions contact your local 4-H Office or County Fair management.
Office Hours Dates and Times
- July 7 – Noon
- July 14 – 6:00 pm
- July 21 – Noon
Meetings will be hosted on Zoom. Contact mike.seiber@wsu.edu for questions
Livestock News
Deadlines, news, rules, and opportunities for members in animal agriculture projects
Livestock Events
Washington State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
Congratulations to all of our Yakima County 4-H youth who competed at the State Livestock Judging Contest! We know you all have been working diligently on your livestock judging skills in preparation for this event. We hope you all had a wonderful time!
We’d love to celebrate your accomplishments! Please send your favorite photos, memories, and highlights from the event to Yakima.4H@wsu.edu for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter and on our social media pages.
Equine News
Updates and opportunities for horse project members
Equine Events
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) 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) 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 here: https://equinediseasecc.org/equine-infectious-anemia
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 🍀
 Go to Equine Diesease Communication Center website for alerts about Equine Infectious Anemia Equine Infectious Anemia TX: Ellis and Shelby counties WA: Yakima County Vesicular Stomatitis CO: Montrose County NM: Rio Arriba County What is Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)? It is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that produces a persistent infection among equids nearly worldwide. To learn more about Equine Infectious Anemia, please visit the Equine Disease Communication Center website.The information provided by the EDCC is made possible by donations from readers like you. Together we can help prevent the spread of infectious disease in horses. |
Yakima County 4-H Horse Council Meeting
Interested in volunteering within the 4-H horse program? Please join us Wednesday, July 8th at 6:00 pm in the Extension Office Small Conference Room for the Yakima County 4-H Horse Council Meeting.
WA State 4-H Equine Rule Book – Change Request Form is Open until July 15th!
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 on the WA State 4-H website under Projects / Animal Science / Horse.
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:
- July 17th – 19th – Horse Pre-Show (Bloom & Rodeo Arena)
- October 4th – Fall Leader’s Show (Bloom)
More formal information will come later but I wanted to get the dates out there.
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
Register Now for Temple Grandin Book Discussion
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading expert in animal behavior and welfare. She will be speaking at Carnation Farms on Saturday, August 1st, sharing insights from over 50 years of research that have shaped the livestock industry. The evening includes a presentation, Q&A, and book signing.
Event Details
- Where: Carnation Farms (28901 NE Carnation Farm Road, Carnation, WA 98014)
- When: Saturday August 1, 6pm-9pm
- Cost: $74.95 presale, $84.95 at the door
- Registration: Order tickets at Future Horizons or call (817) 277-0727
Master Gardeners Answer Clinic – NOW OPEN
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 or would like to have your soil PH tested, our Master gardener volunteers are happy to help! Please note that they are volunteers and offer their time to community when they are available. They tend to have office hours throughout the week on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 9:00 am -12:00 pm & 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm. If you would prefer to reach them by phone, please call 509-574-1604 or come by the Yakima County Extension Office at 2403 S. 18th Street, Suite 100, Union Gap, WA. 98903.
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