What's happening with 4-H? Great stuff….

San Juan Island's Geneva Mottet entered items in knitting, astronomy, science, and educational poster departments, and got "firsts" in several...

I love hearing what happened at the state fair with our local 4-H kids – here’s the story from Cindy:

State Fair Report 2009
San Juan County 4-H Activities at the Western Washington State Fair
By Cindy Gauthier, 4-H Program Coordinator WSU Extension San Juan County

The Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup Washington was 17 days of food, fun and 4-Her’s! Once again San Juan County 4-H members exhibited a variety of projects and proved to be tough competition among other Washington State 4-H exhibitors.

Hannah Howard (left) and Laura Brown won blue awards with their poultry....

4-H youth who sent still life items to be judged and displayed were MacKenzie Brown and Coral Black who each entered food preservation and photography this year, both winning a variety of blue and red awards. MacKenzie won a special award on her canned cherries and Coral also won a special award for her preserved jams. Clinton Gauthier received one blue and one red award on his photographs. Zach Fincher and Yasmin Sarah were excited to receive mostly blue ribbons with their astronomy and science exhibits.

Rachel Porter enjoyed presenting her blue ribbon 4-H demonstration titled “How to Raise a 4-H Market Swine Project”. Rachel had a great time and would like to encourage other 4-H members to have this experience. Kelsey Guyer won a blue ribbon for her beautiful themed Mardi Gras table setting that won a Best of Show award at the San Juan County Fair.

Laura Brown won a blue award for her lovely 4-H project scrapbook and also competed in the Junior Poultry Exhibition taking her Mille Fleur Dutch hen and rooster. She really enjoyed doing her “birdsmanship duty” which is the equivalent of herdsmanship/barn duty at our Fair. Hannah Howard won a blue award with her Old English Game hen and enjoyed testing her poultry knowledge at the “Avian Bowl”. I am sure she will be happy to share her new skills and knowledge with all the poultry members back here at home.

Geneva Mottet entered items in knitting, astronomy, science, and educational poster departments. She also participated in the demonstration contest and did a 4-H in Action presentation. Most of her entries received blue awards. She was excited to qualify and take her cat as well. She took full advantage of her last year in 4-H and signed up for everything she qualified for. Geneva teamed up with the Skagit County cat members and had a great time showing and sharing their love for our feline friends. Geneva won blue awards with her cat cage décor’ and showmanship. She and her other team members placed Reserve Champion in the Cat Knowledge Bowl.

Each year our county 4-H horse riders enthusiastically look forward to competing against the best 4-H equestrians around the State. Katie Gauthier enjoyed her first time horse experience receiving mostly red and white awards in a very competitive Senior Performance division. She especially enjoyed meeting and teaming up with Pend Oreille County members and working together they all won a blue in herdsmanship. Following Katie, Patrick Lancaster participated in Senior Western Games.

Marie Peterson and Daria Stankevich participated in the Dressage/Equitation Over Fences Senior and Intermediate divisions respectively. Daria received a blue in showmanship, two red awards for her riding classes, a red with her educational poster and one white ribbon in dressage. Both Mari and Daria won a blue ribbon in herdsmanship, which Daria enjoyed the most. Having three different judges is an interesting and challenging experience. Daria’s goal is to qualify and return to State every year.

Jade Cooper-Yockers and Taylor Wise competed in the Intermediate Performance Horse division. Jade received a blue in showmanship and two red and one white awards in her riding classes. Taylor also received a blue, two red awards and one white in her classes. Jade and Taylor worked great together as a team to win a blue in herdsmanship.

Derekk Buffum and Gavin Guard were top qualifiers to compete in the Intermediate Western Games division. Derekk and Gavin received mostly blue ribbons and had some best ever times for their events, which both boys were thrilled about. Gavin placed fourth in the two-barrel flags and was very happy to have such a great ride. They both enjoyed meeting 4-H riders from other counties and teaming up to take on the herdsmanship duties to win a blue award.

Thank you to all the volunteer leaders who spend countless hours all year working, teaching and mentoring the youth in our county. San Juan island families would like to thank everyone who purchased food and drinks from the Rambler Café food booth during the SJ County Fair. A portion of the funds generated from this booth help San Juan 4-H families with the expenses of traveling and sending exhibits to the State Fair.

The new 4-H year has just begun and now is a great time to join 4-H! If you are interested in becoming an adult volunteer and sharing your skills with the youth of our community, please contact Cindy at the WSU Extension Office at 370-7662. Cindy can also share with you what clubs and projects are available on all islands for youth to join.

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